Micro-needling is a procedure that is beneficial for a variety of skin types, depending on what the patient needs. Among these benefits are the stimulation of collagen and elastin growth, treatment of pigment, melasma, fine lines, wrinkles, and other imperfections, along with a lack of pain and a rapid recovery process.
To determine if this treatment is right for you, here are some comparisons made between micro-needling and other popular treatments.
Micro-needling vs. Fraxel Laser Resurfacing
Fraxel laser resurfacing uses a non-ablative laser to effectively resurface the skin, penetrating beneath the surface of the skin to the dermis below. It then heats the tissue, which helps start a healing process to form new and healthy skin. Micro-needling, on the other hand, uses needles to create micro-channels in the skin without causing heat damage to surrounding tissue.
Both procedures initiate a natural healing process, but, unlike Fraxel laser resurfacing, micro-needling leaves the protective epidermis intact throughout the procedure, reducing the risk of infection and scarring. Also, the micro-needling procedure doesn’t depend on skin pigment to work, making it suitable for all skin types whereas laser resurfacing is only ideal for certain pigments.
Micro-needling vs. IPL Photorejuvenation
Intense pulsed light (IPL) photorejuvenation is another laser treatment used to target certain areas of the skin, lightening the skin to remove age spots, sun spots, and brown blotches on the face or upper body. Following treatment, spots typically darken before flaking off a few days later to leave a more even skin tone in their place.
IPL treatment is potentially more efficient for removing dark spots than micro-needling, particularly because it alters the background pigmentation to help remove these dark areas. However, micro-needling can work in conjunction with IPL photorejuvenation to remove wrinkles along with dark spots.
Micro-needling vs. Botox Injections
Many people still turn to Botox because they believe that it’s the best way to delay aging, but micro-needling can be a sufficient alternative. Compared to Botox, micro-needling is less invasive, using microscopic needles to stimulate collagen so it’s more easily absorbed into the skin. Micro-needling is also ideal for treating surface issues, which Botox can’t necessarily help with. Micro-needling also relies on natural healing, unlike Botox.
Micro-needling vs. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a skin rejuvenation procedure used to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, stretch marks, pore size, and acne scars on various parts of the body, but it isn’t suitable for all skin types. While micro-needling stimulates new skin growth, microdermabrasion exfoliates surface skin using an ablative material such as sodium bicarbonate crystals.
Using medical grade equipment and products, microdermabrasion can be more effective at improving the skin, but many spas will perform a lighter version that isn’t as effective, and store-bought products tend to be the least effective. It’s also not effective for all skin types, unlike micro-needling.
What’s the Verdict?
Ultimately, micro-needling is a painless and less invasive method of treating skin than other types of procedures. It’s also good for treating skin with any kind of pigmentation, making it more universal. Patients also benefit from fast recovery time than certain other treatments, with minimal chance of complications.