I am so excited to be partnering with Epi Center Med Spa for a few different beauty services before our wedding! Let’s just call this wedding prep 101. Or what the spa likes to call it, Beauty and the Bride.
Epi Center Med Spa is an incredible Med spa here in the San Francisco that is actually the very first med spa in the nation! What sets them apart is the array of treatments that they offer, and incredible service. Co- founder Dr. Patrick Bitter has been a practicing dermatologist for over 45 years and is the inventor of the IPL PhotoFacial used in offices all over the nation. Dr. Bitter and CEO Margaret Mitchell partnered to provide a spa like performance for medical procedures which formed Epi Center.
The staff is absolutely the absolute sweetest and the best in the business! They make you feel right at home, and guide you to your goal of beautiful skin!
During my last visit I received a microneedling treatment. I’ve gotten one treatment done before and I loved the way my skin looked that I signed up for another.
What is microneedling?
It’s a procedure that uses fine needles to puncture the skin and create a controlled skin injury in order to rejuvenate skin.
The MicroPen is a cordless device that can easily be moved around the skin treatment area. A sterile needle-tip containing twelve micro-needles is attached to the end of the pen. The depth of the needles is determined by the severity of the skin condition, which would be adjusted by your esthetician. Fast pulsing motions of the needles allow the device to quickly treat the selected area with minimal discomfort.
The penetration of the skin’s surface produces collagen, making the skin more elastic which creates a more toned look. The pen also creates micro-channels which allow topical gels, creams and serums to be absorbed more effectively, enhancing their effects in deeper layers on the skin.
(^above photos are not edited so you can see the real color and texture of my skin)
Benefits of microneedling:
- Improving fine lines and wrinkles
- Tightening skin and improving tone
- Promoting collagen and elastin production
- Reducing the appearance of acne scarring, pigmentation and stretch marks
I know this procedure looks a little scary due to the redness of my skin, but the pain is minimal and the results super impactful! For me, I noticed that a week after the treatment my skin was glowing and the texture I have on my cheeks significantly improved. I hope with a few more sessions I will also see the impact towards my fine lines and wrinkles and continue to reduce my skins tone and texture.
I shared my experience with you all on IG stories and you had so many questions! Here are some of the most asked questions answered:
Q: But does it really hurt?
A: It definitely looks worse than it really is! I have an extremely low pain tolerance and it’s not that bad at all. The aesthetician numbed my face with a topical numbing cream 30 minutes prior which helped I’m sure. Some parts were a little more sensitive than others, and towards the end it burned a little but we put a face mask on and felt much better!
Q: How many sessions do you need for the results to be visible?
A: They recommend 3-4 sessions, 6-8 weeks a part however each person will vary depending on their skin and what results they are looking for. I saw results after one treatment. I will most likely do another 2 prior to our wedding in April.
Q: Do you have to be sans makeup while your skin heals?
A: They recommend that you wear no makeup for 2-3 days. The pen punctures your skin and essentially creates a small wound. You don’t want any makeup to go further than your first layer of skin so you need to wait until it heals. I personally loved a little break from wearing makeup!
Q: Do you peel post treatment?
A: Everyone is different but slight peeling is expected. It takes 2-3 days for the redness to go away and a week to fully heal. I peeled a few days after the treatment minimally.
Q: What is the cost of a treatment?
A: Cost vary quite a bit depending on location. I live in San Francisco which is quite expensive (for everything!) Costs vary from $300-$600 per treatment. Epi Center always has great deals if you are in the Bay Area!
If you want to see the procedure in action, I shared a video on IG stories and saved under the SKINCARE highlights section! Happy to help answer any additional questions you may have in the comments!
xx Jenna
