Today is going to be a longer than usual post as I share my micro-needling experience from start to finish.
This is definitely not a normal post for me, but when I shared this treatment on Instagram a lot of you were curious so I thought I’d answer all questions you may have here today! So many skin treatments are on the DL these days, but when I shared that I received microneedling many of you have either had it done or are thinking about doing it. Prior to visiting Epi Center Med Spa, I had not heard of this treatment so hopefully this answers your questions. Also, this post may be a little much for some of you as I am sharing close up pictures- just a warning if you are extra sensitive.
Ever since I can remember I’ve had uneven skin pigmentation and texture on my face, especially my cheeks and it has bothered me for years. Most of the time I use makeup to cover up but I’ve always wanted to do something about it and feel more comfortable going makeup free and feeling really good about my own skin. I went in for a consultation at Epi Center Med Spa and they told me that it appears I have early signs of rosacea and it is time that I treat it. The med spa recommended that I try microneedling, one of the hottest skin treatments on the market to cure my pigmentation issues, help reduce fine lines, shrink pores and reduce sun damage.
I am all in favor of being the best version of myself and if there is a way to enhance my skin sign me up!
What is microneedling?
Microneedling involves using fine needles to create hundreds of tiny, invisible puncture wounds in the top layer of skin. The goal of the tiny puncture wounds it to stimulate the body’s natural wound healing process which results in cell turnover and increased collagen and elastin production, which can reverse and prevent signs of aging. The treatment is minimally invasive with very minimal downtime.
What are the benefits?
- Reverse sun damage and pigmentation: collagen is the most vital way to improve the look of skin and by stimulating the growth with microneedling you can reverse sun damage, including hyperpigmentation that comes from melisma.
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles: Microneedling triggers the generation of new cells and can reduce even deepest wrinkles and fine lines in just a few treatments.
- Repairs visible scars: Professional grade microneedling devices can be as long as 3 mm, which is three times as effective anything you may buy for at home use as and will treat deep acne scars that occur beneath the surface of the skin
- Shrinks pores: It’s a bit counter-intuitive, but microneedling doesn’t actually enlarge pores as you might imagine piercing your skin hundreds of times would. One major benefit is that it helps pores appear much smaller. Microneedling stimulates collagen in and around your pores, which causes them to plump and appear shrunken, if not closed
- Makes your skincare products work better: Its crazy to think, but only 4-8% of serums we use on our face actually penetrate the skin! One of microneedling’s additional appeals is that it improves product absorption tremendously. The tiny puctures act like little channels that allow topical products to penetrate better and more effectively.
Minela was my amazing nurse- she’s the best! We had great conversation, laughs and I learned so much about skincare in my hour with her!
What is the process?
First off, I want to share with you how much I love Epi Center Med Spa! They have been in business for over 20 years, and are the first med spa in the country. They are so informative from start to finish and they have some of the best staff in the business. They have so many different treatments at their downtown San Francisco location including botox, fillers, hydrafacials, coolsculpting you name it. I HIGHLY recommend you check them out!
I arrived at Epi Center Med Spa on a Friday night and they immediately removed my makeup and applied a topical numbing cream to my face and neck. I then waited for about 30 minutes for the cream to take effect before starting the treatment.
Once I was ready for the treatment to begin the nurse added another topical cream (I’m not sure what it was) to the area where of my face right before the pen went over my skin. The nurse slowly started to move the pen over my cheeks, forehead, nose, chin then neck. It was actually really painless and I didn’t feel much. There were some spots, such as my neck, that were more sensitive than others but I didn’t very many issues.
There are different levels that the pen can penetrate the skin and I decided to go for the deepest and most effective level. I thought, why not if I’m going through the process anyways! The goal is to create wounds so there is some blood that the nurse wiped away before I could take a look. The treatment time lasted about 20 minutes and then the nurse applied a cooling mask. My skin was extremely red and burned just a little but the cooling mask made all the difference in the world.
I left the med spa with a bit of a red face and went home and applied another cooling mask. The redness is expected to last for a few days, but mine only lasted 2 days. You are not supposed to wear any makeup or apply any skincare products other than the moisturizer they give you, as your wounds are open and you need to be careful to be sure nothing harmful is put on your face during this sensitive time. The nurse told me I may peel a bit, but I only peeled slightly on my neck.
I was then back to normal routine after 3 full days and my skin has improved tremendously! I’m so happy with the way my skin looks today. My hyper pigmentation has reduced significantly and my skin is glowing! It was such an easy process considering the level of improvement of my skin. I could not recommend it more and will be going in for another round in about 8-10 months.
(ABOVE: seconds after the treatment was finished, but before my cooling mask)
(ABOVE: Was taken when I arrived home right after my treatment, much less red!)
They also do this treatment all over the body, on legs, arms, back etc. Not only that but they also do the Vampire Facials you may have seen via Kim K.
I asked if they would be willing to offer you all a discount and they agreed! So please let them know that I sent you and they will give you $50 off any treatment!
If you have any other questions about the treatment please ask in the comments, send me an email or dm on Instagram. Happy to help answer as best as I can!
Thank you so much Epi Center Med Spa for your excellent service and hospitality. I am looking forward to my next visit!
Xx Jenna
