Can I Use Microcurrent After Microneedling? There are two ways to use microcurrent, with a micro-needle electrode and without one. Both are effective at stimulating the skin, but it’s worth considering how you feel about needles before jumping into this form of treatment.
In this guide, we find out: Can I Use Microcurrent After Microneedling, how often do i apply hyaluronic acid after microneedling, can you use microcurrent and led together, and when can i use bha after microneedling.
Can I Use Microcurrent After Microneedling
Have you considered using microcurrent and microneedling to treat fine lines and wrinkles? These two types of treatments have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Both microcurrent and microneedling can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. So, can you get the benefits of both these treatments in one visit? The answer is yes! However, there are some important considerations before combining microcurrent with microneedling or any other type of non-invasive procedure:
Microcurrent and microneedling are two popular anti-aging treatments.
Microcurrent and microneedling are two popular anti-aging treatments.
Microcurrent uses electrical energy to stimulate the skin, which helps promote collagen production and improve elasticity. This can help reduce wrinkles, scarring and stretch marks.
Microneedling is a procedure that uses a device with needles to puncture the skin, which causes tiny wounds in your skin (called micro-channels). These wounds trigger an inflammatory response in your body that leads to faster healing as well as stimulation of collagen production.
Microcurrent treatments can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles.
Microcurrent treatments can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles.
Microcurrent is a type of low-level electrical current that helps to relax muscles, stimulate collagen production and promote blood circulation in the skin. Microcurrent devices are often used in conjunction with other treatments such as microneedling (also known as derma rolling) or lasers because they work well in tandem with these procedures by improving overall results.
However, microcurrent is not recommended for use on the face due to its ability to cause damage if applied incorrectly or incorrectly used over large areas of skin at once
Microneedling is also used to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and to treat certain types of acne scars.
Microneedling is also used to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and to treat certain types of acne scars. Microneedling may be combined with other skin treatments, such as laser therapy or chemical peels, to achieve greater results.
Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that involves the use of a special tool to create small wounds in the skin. This action stimulates existing collagen production under your skin’s surface, which leads to increased thickness of your skin and decreases in fine lines or wrinkles along with scarring from acne breakouts
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a procedure that involves using a small device to create tiny punctures in the skin. The punctures are made with a needle-like device that is rolled over the skin in a pattern, creating channels for collagen production and blood flow. Microneedling can be used on its own or as part of an acne treatment regimen, though it’s most commonly used as part of microcurrent facials or permanent makeup procedures like eyelash extensions and lip fillers.
Can I use microcurrent after microneedling?
The short answer is yes, you can use microcurrent after microneedling. However, there are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to timing and technique.
Microcurrent can be used immediately after microneedling if you’re going for a temporary result–and this may be the best idea for those who want to see results quickly. But if your goal is permanent skin rejuvenation, holding off until at least 24 hours after treatment will help ensure that any wounds from microneedling have healed properly before applying microcurrent.
how often do i apply hyaluronic acid after microneedling
It can be confusing knowing which serums to use after microneedling, and exactly when to use them to see maximum benefits.
In this article, we explain the science behind the healing process as well as which products you can use after your microneedling treatment and when for the most effective outcome.
The Haemorrhage Phase – 1 to 10 Minutes After Microneedling
1-10 minutes after your microneedling treatment, your skin experiences what is called the ‘Haemorrhage Phase’.
During this phase, your nutrient-rich blood is rushing to reach all of the new microchannels you’ve created. Inflammatory factors like adrenaline, prostaglandin, and serotonin are released to support skin healing and coagulation, otherwise known as clotting, which occurs thanks to the blood’s proteins and platelets.
Products you can use during this phase:
You don’t want to put anything other than tepid water or a medium to high molecular weight hyaluronic acid on the skin.
Our Femvy Hyaluronic Acid Serum is medium weight, making it perfect for both microneedling and everyday use.
You can also use a red LED light to soothe inflammation. It’s best to use a device that doesn’t sit directly on the skin to avoid cross-contamination (our PDT machine is a good example).
The Inflammatory Phase – 1 to 4 Days After Microneedling
During this phase, the platelets in your blood release growth factors and Cytokines. These cells are responsible for our skin’s natural healing and regulating inflammation.
In this phase, neutrophils and Macrophages are also attracted to the microchannels you’ve created in your skin. They are in charge of keeping the area free of infection and destroying any harmful bacteria; they work hard to keep you safe from contamination and other complications.
Our favourite cells of all are also attracted to these microchannels. They are called fibroblasts which are responsible for the production of collagen.
It’s normal to experience mild swelling, flaking, and peeling after microneedling. Keeping the skin hydrated is key during this phase and will help to alleviate any tightness or flaking you may experience.
If you are experiencing discomfort you should always check in with your doctor. Complications are rare, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get a professional opinion if you have any concerns.
Products you can use during this phase:
Topically you can apply Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, alcohol-free toners, or moisturisers with a base of green tea extract, kiwi oil, and linseed oil.
For deep hydration that feels beautiful and soothing to the skin, you may opt to use a hyaluronic acid sheet mask. Our Eaoron Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask is a great option that comes in a pack of 5 and can be put in the fridge before use for an extra soothing experience.
You can also apply products that contain resveratrol; this is a stable antioxidant found in grapes, berries, peanuts, and dark chocolate.
In all phases following microneedling, apply a healthy layer of broad-spectrum physical SPF is a must. Microneedling increases the skin’s photosensitivity; this can cause unwanted pigmentation if your skin is damaged by the sun after your microneedling treatment when the skin is still healing.
If you are experiencing flaking of the skin, you are able to gently exfoliate however you should steer clear of chemical exfoliants, physical scrubs and grainy creams. Instead, opt for a wet washcloth to buff the dead skin away gently.
The Proliferation and Fibroblastic Phase – Days 4 to 14 After Microneedling
By this phase, the fibroblasts, (i.e. the cells responsible for the production of collagen) are producing growth factors and new skin cells.
Whilst the fibroblasts are busy sending new collagen to your skin; other cells are healing the microchannels, regenerating tissue and repairing the layers of the dermis. Your cells are super busy during this phase, healing your skin and sending new collagen to the surface.
Products you can use during this phase:
Topically, you can apply kiwi oil, linseed oil, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, copper peptides, azelaic acid, and broad-spectrum sun protection. You can also go back to using cleansers and cleansing oils but skip any harsh exfoliating treatments both physical and chemical.
You can use Vitamin C and Vitamin A, otherwise referred to as retinol or retinoids, during this phase.
But we do recommend waiting until at least day 7 post microneedling to ensure you don’t interrupt all of the healing and repair happening at a cellular level in your skin.
If your retinol is particularly strong, i.e. equal to or higher than 0.25 %, wait until 14 days post microneedling before applying.
Remember to stay out of direct sunlight for as long as possible, ideally until day 7 post microneedling treatment.
The Maturative Phase – Day 14 and Onwards
During this phase, those hard-working, collagen-producing fibroblast cells produce the structures to support your new collagen.
Supporting the collagen with a robust structural network is vital, as it helps your skin maintain a regular cycle of repairing itself and remodelling tissue. This is when you’ll see a serious glow!
Products you can use during this phase:
You can now go back to your entire routine of cleansers, toners, serums, moisturisers, and active ingredients. Continue using broad-spectrum SPF to protect your skin from any sun damage.
If you wish to support your skin nutritionally, you can take vitamins A, C, E along with calcium and omega 3 in the form of a multivitamin. This will ensure your skin has everything it needs from the inside out.
From day 14 onwards, you can resume nano needling treatments which is a non-invasive treatment that involves more shallow penetration into the skin than microneedling.
What Happens if You Don’t Follow the Protocols?
If you don’t follow the post-microneedling protocol listed above, you can potentially cause more damage to your skin.
Using active ingredients like Vitamins A and C too early in the healing process can cause chemical burns or granulomas.
A chemical burn is when your skin comes into contact with an irritant, either an acid or a base, causing an adverse reaction. These irritants can cause a reaction on the skin’s surface or deeper in the body. You can avoid chemical burns by not using your Vitamins A, C, and other active ingredients, too early in the healing process.
A granuloma is a response to chronic inflammation and is caused by infection. Granulomas are essentially a permanent rash, and in the context of microneedling are caused when ingredients enter the skin too early into the healing process. Depending on the way the granuloma forms, it’s possible it can be removed.
Whilst creating granulomas is extremely rare, it is worth noting that by deviating from post microneedling aftercare protocols, you could cause permanent skin damage.
Most reputable sources will recommend using a hyaluronic acid, or HA serum, during and after microneedling. This is because hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in our bodies already and is less likely to be rejected or trigger an adverse reaction.
can you use microcurrent and led together
Quarantine forced many people into becoming DIY-ers when it came to their beauty routine. Some people might have tie-dyed their sweatsuits, but the beauty devotees were dyeing their own hair for possibly the first time. And if you preferred going to your trusty skin-care specialist, it was a time to finally embrace reading the instruction manual of at-home tools and doing the damn thing yourself.
Using these devices has become an increasingly popular way to maintain your skin with time-saving convenience (and lower prices than expensive laser and Botox treatments), but how comparable are these products to getting one-on-one time with a professional? We talked to dermatologists, aestheticians, and skin-care enthusiasts to find out if three of the most popular at-home technologies — microcurrent, LED, and microneedling a.k.a. dermarolling — are actually worth it and what products they recommend if you’re willing to perform these treatments by yourself.
How do microcurrent devices work?
Facial microcurrent devices send low-level electrical currents to stimulate the muscles under the skin. The tiny current mimics the body’s own electrical impulses and charges cells by increasing their adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, content. ATP is the energy “currency” that’s responsible for creation of elastin and collagen, which keeps skin supple and plump. Microcurrent has been clinically proven to accelerate wound healing and stimulate facial muscles (it was first approved by the FDA to help patients with Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes paralysis of the facial muscles).
Professional microcurrent equipment used by estheticians is not necessarily higher powered, since microcurrent, by definition, is a low-level current. Pro equipment, however, does have other benefits. Professionals can adjust the depth of the current and deliver it more precisely, using wand tips rather than the fixed spheres of devices such as NuFace and ZIIP.
Do dermatologists recommend microcurrent devices?
In general, professionals recommend it if you’re consistent and your expectations are not sky high. “A microcurrent [device] improves muscle tone and facial circulation, aids in lymphatic drainage, and enhances product penetration by using a low level of electrical current to stimulate the muscles underneath the skin,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist at the Shafer Clinic in New York. “You won’t see results from this like you would from a professional treatment, but it will help to maintain results between appointments.”
Estheticians also like the device to keep skin buoyant between facials. “One benefit of at-home devices is that they keep the lymphatic system healthier,” says celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas. “They stimulate lymphatic drainage, just not as much as a professional treatment. However, if you use it regularly, it will help,” she says.
Makeup artist Nam Vo, a compulsive user of at-home devices, says it’s not going to be a miracle. “You’re not going to use the device and look like you’re 15 again. I think it’s preventative — if you’re consistent over time, you’re going to notice your muscles are tightened,” she says.
“I thought it was a scam at first,” says Charlotte Palermino, co-founder and CEO of skin-care brand Dieux, who says it took a solid four weeks of daily NuFace use to see subtle changes, which she noticed in pictures. “I noticed my under eye hollows were less pronounced and my cheeks looked just slightly more chiseled.”
Do you need to use gel with a microcurrent device?
Yes. Most devices come with their own conductive gels, but there’s a whole subculture on the skin-care internet dedicated to hacking them. The ones sold by the brands range from $129 for 2.7 ounces of Ziip’s Golden Gel (they make more economical options, the cheapest being $50) to $14 for two ounces of NuFace’s Hydrating Leave-On Gel Primer. You have to slather on a lot of gel for each treatment (Tera Peterson, NuFace’s co-founder and a microcurrent esthetician, says to use as much as you would if you were icing a cake), so hacking a less expensive option to what is essentially ultrasound gel makes sense.
Ultrasound gel is, in fact, what a lot of people are using, but Peterson says that although it conducts the current, it has a goopy, inelegant texture. Aloe-vera gel is another popular substitute. Peterson’s heard of some seriously crazy hacks. “People use oils, but oil blocks current, so that’s a big no-no. I’ve also heard of” people using “K-Y jelly. It’s not a ‘If it looks like a pig, it is a pig’ type situation. If it looks like gel, then” people think “it is a conductor,” she says.
Should you get one? Are you an industrious beauty user who will do these treatments diligently? You have to use these devices consistently to see results. According to Melanie Simon, the creator of Ziip and an electrical esthetician, cells are charged with ATP after a microcurrent treatment, but they cannot hold on to it for longer than about three days, no matter if the treatment is a professional one or done at home. Five minutes, five times a week is ideal for NuFace, while Simon says to use the Ziip two or three times a week.
How do LED masks work?
LED lights have been used for decades in medicine for a variety of reasons, including to heal wounds, help with arthritis symptoms, and alleviate the side effects of cancer treatments. In dermatology, they heal psoriatic lesions and scars, stimulate hair growth, and aid tissue repair.
LED therapy involves the use of light in specific wavelengths to stimulate receptors in the skin. “Just like topical ingredients, your skin cells have receptors for LED, allowing for the light to enter your cells and stimulate your skin’s own production of collagen,” says New York–based dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross. “They are a fantastic addition to any at-home skin-care regimen because it tackles so many skin-care concerns: fine lines and wrinkles, discoloration, inflammation, and acne, to name a few. One of my favorite recommendations is to use LED to target acne, because blue LED will never irritate or over dry the skin; it’s a great way to get blemishes under control without causing further irritation,” he says. The skin responds to each different wavelength or color in different ways. Red and near-infrared red (NIR) wavelengths have been the most widely studied and have the best effects on skin.
In the past few years, a large number of companies have started making masks for home use, with LEDs of various colors embedded in them. Masks can be flexible or hard-bodied. Using one is as easy as putting it on and waiting anywhere from three to ten minutes for it to work. Some brands, like Omnilux and CurrentBody, make devices that target the neck, décolleté, and hands, too.
Do dermatologists recommend LED masks?
In general, derms and estheticians are cheerleaders for LED technology. “LED has lots of research to support its effectiveness and it’s deemed safe. It has not been shown to burn the skin or cause skin cancers, even with frequent usage,” says Engelman. Vargas, who offers LED at her spas, approves of their clients using at-home LED masks between professional sessions. “It’s healing and stimulating, and it’s appropriate for all skin types and all skin tones,” she says. She also encourages clients to use it when they travel.
“LED, in my mind, is truly the gift that keeps giving. It helps with everything — cell turnover, healing, brightening, and stimulating collagen,” says Vo. It also helps speed up the healing process after she gets lasers and microneedling. “I was also in an accident where I had second- and third-degree burns on my hand and back. LED has really helped to stimulate healing and aids overall health and skin renewal,” she says.
Should you get one? Like microcurrent devices, LED masks will only work if they are used regularly. “Consistency is crucial. It must be used daily in order to achieve the effects of a single, monthly in-office LED treatment,” Gross says. “If you commit to using the device daily, you will see improvements in fine lines and wrinkles, discoloration, radiance, and acne.” Omnilux, a maker of medical-grade LED equipment, released the highly rated Contour mask, which is similar to CurrentBody’s Skin LED Light Therapy Mask (both have red and NIR LEDs), while Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro is popular, too, with blue LEDs in addition to red and NIR.
A good mask, if it meets the wavelength criteria, is worth the investment. Professional devices are configured to give out the precise wavelength of light for each color that will be best absorbed by the body, so get a mask that’s the appropriate wavelength. For instance, red light is optimally absorbed by cells when its wavelength is exactly 633 nanometers, but anywhere between 630 to 660 nanometers is beneficial, while NIR is best between 820 to 840 nanometers, with 830 nanometers being the sweet spot. All the masks below are approximately in that ballpark. This post by blogger Goals to Get Glowing takes a deep dive into LED technology and compares several masks.
How does microneedling, or dermarolling, work?
Microneedling, or collagen-induction therapy, works on the premise that causing small, deliberate injuries (using sterile needles) to the skin can stimulate it to pump out more collagen in order to heal those wounds. Many laser therapies, such as Fraxel, work on similar lines by triggering the body’s natural healing process. For microneedling, a group of needles are punched into or rolled on the face (using a dermaroller). Microneedling is said to help with acne scarring and hyperpigmentation and results in smooth, glowing skin. It’s also said to help skin-care products penetrate better, making them more effective. Home rollers aren’t too painful, but topical anesthetics are typically applied before professional microneedling.
Do dermatologists recommend at-home microneedling?
In short, no. The main difference between a professional treatment and doing it at home is the size of needles — those for home use are much shorter than those deployed by estheticians or dermatologists for in-office procedures. “The at-home ones don’t pierce the skin as deeply as the medical grade devices. The depth of the penetration can be controlled by a professional, wherein they can use needles that are longer, ones that are 0.25 to 2.5 millimeters,” says Engelman.
That’s a big reason why derms think at-home microneedling devices don’t work as well as expected when it comes to pumping out collagen and resurfacing the pits caused by acne scars. “At-home needles aren’t strong enough to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin and stimulate collagen production, which is the primary goal in-office. It’s unlikely consumers will experience drastic changes to their acne scars versus what an in-office treatment would offer,” says Gross. He also points out that it’s key for this procedure to be performed by a trained professional who caters the device to individual skin types and watches the skin’s reaction in real time in order to adjust as needed.
For Dr. Lara Devgan, a New York–based plastic surgeon, the degree at which needles are positioned in the roller form is cause for concern. “Needles should penetrate the skin vertically to minimize surface level trauma and the potential for scarring. When needles are in a roller conformation, they penetrate the dermis at an angle, which means they cause more superficial skin injury and have a greater risk of scarring. In-office microneedling treatments use a vertical vector of penetration to avoid this,” she says.
Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, says if you still want to try a dermarolling or microneedling device at home, it’s important to clean the device after every use to avoid any skin infections after penetrating the skin. She also explains that the shorter needles found on at-home devices might be a benefit as they help break through the stratum corneum, the top layer of the skin. “First, the rolling motion may help to lightly exfoliate the top dulling layers of dead skin,” Shainhouse says. “Second, the tiny channels created by the shorter needles help active ingredients in skincare products to penetrate and reach the epidermis. You may notice increased benefit from your products when applied after dermarolling with shorter needles.” She recommends needles less than 0.25 millimeters to minimize damage and stainless-steel ones since they’re minimally allergenic, can be sterilized, and are stronger — i.e., they won’t dull as quickly or potentially break off in your skin while rolling.
If anecdotal evidence from dermarolling devotees is enough to convince you, just make sure to avoid applying too much pressure and sterilize the living bejesus out of your device. You can do this by rinsing it with hot water after use, soaking it in isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide in a small dish for about an hour, rinsing it again with hot water, letting it air-dry, and storing it in a protective container so it actually stays clean and sterile. We know this sounds like a lot of steps, but it’s well worth the effort to keep your skin safe. And, of course, always ask your skin-care professional before pulling the trigger on a device, and talk to them about any concerns and questions you may have.
when can i use bha after microneedling
Skin Needling, also called Micro-Needling therapy, and Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) is a minimally invasive skin-rejuvenation procedure that involves the use of a rolling shaped device containing 42 very fine needles. The needles are used to puncture the skin to create a controlled skin injury. Each puncture creates a channel that triggers the body to fill these microscopic wounds by producing new collagen and elastin. Treatments start at $249
How does Micro-Needling work?
The device slides along the skin, penetrating the upper layers of the skin to a depth of up to 2mm to create numerous tiny needle wounds. The procedure prompts the body to respond through the creation of new collagen and elastin fibers. In response to the stimulus, the skin plumps and thickens, reducing the appearance of scars, and fine lines and wrinkles.
What conditions can be treated or improved with Medical Micro-Needling?
– Mild to moderate acne scarring; any new or old scars – Fine lines and wrinkles – Loose, lax skin or dull skin – Skin texture and pore size – Stretch marks
What will I look like after the treatment?
Most people will experience redness and mild swelling in a similar way as mild sunburn for 24-48 hours and there may be minimal pin-point bleeding. Within a week or two, you will notice that your skin is smoother and more radiant looking, but the full effects won’t be seen until a few months later.
What is the down time after MicroNeedling treatment?
The inflammatory reaction of the skin is extremely short and fades significantly within hours from redness to pinkish that may last for 12 to 48 hours. In order to reduce visible
redness, we recommend hyaluronic acid after the procedure, and to protect the skin with zinc based sunblock. The use of mineral makeup is recommended after procedure.
What are the benefits of MicroNeedling?
– Dramatically increases the effectiveness and penetration of active ingredients in topical preparation – Stimulates circulation and collagen production – Medical grade titanium needles makes it non-allergenic to human tissue – Cost effective compared to other resurfacing procedures – Can be performed on all skin types, including ethnic skin – It can be used on all areas of the scalp, face, body including fragile skin like around eyes, mouth and neck
What effects does the MicroNeedling have on the skin?
– Improves skin texture and reduces the appearance of wrinkles – Stimulates tissue regeneration – Disfiguring scars, especially acne scars can be improved as new collagen fibers elevate the depressed scar tissue with the periphery skin – Pore size reduction – Improves the appearance of stretch marks
Is Micro-Needling painful?
Prior to the treatment, numbing cream can be applied to minimize pain that is felt during the procedure.
Can Micro-Needling be performed on any skin color?
Micro-needling is safe to use on all skin types and all skin colors.
How many treatments do I need and how often can Micro Micro-Needling procedures be repeated?
Micro-needling can be safely repeated every 4-6 weeks until you achieve the desired results. For collagen induction we recommend to start with 4 treatments, but with a minimum separation time of 4 to 6 weeks between treatments. For scar reduction an average of 3 to 6 treatments are recommended. The number of treatments required will depend on how each individual responds to the treatments, and the extent of the damage at the beginning Micro-needling can be used on all skin parts of the body (neck, décolleté, arms, legs, etc). Most people will begin to see results after the very first appointment. Some patients may also consider regular facials during their treatment.