Does Microneedling Help With Dark Spots
Microneedling also known as collagen induction therapy (CIT) utilizes a high-frequency device to create tiny wounds in the skin that stimulates your body to produce more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. These three natural compounds can help increase skin elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and diminish acne scars. But does microneedling help with dark spots?
In this guide, we find out: Does Microneedling Help With Dark Spots, hyperpigmentation after microneedling treatment, how to get rid of hyperpigmentation after microneedling, and does microneedling get rid of brown spots.
Does Microneedling Help With Dark Spots
If you have dark spots and are looking for a treatment that will actually work, microneedling is an excellent option. Microneedling can help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and other skin discolorations by creating microscopic channels in your skin. The deeper these channels go, the more effective they are at stimulating collagen production, which helps repair damage from acne scarring and aging.
YES! Microneedling is an effective treatment for reducing the appearance of stubborn dark spots, known as hyperpigmentation.
Microneedling is a safe and effective treatment for hyperpigmentation. This minimally invasive procedure stimulates the production of new collagen, which helps to improve skin tone, texture and elasticity. It can also be used to treat other skin issues such as acne scars or wrinkles.
Microneedling works by penetrating the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis) with tiny needles that create microscopic wounds that stimulate the body’s natural healing process. As part of this process, new collagen will form within these wounds resulting in improved skin appearance over time – without any downtime!
Yes it does!
Microneedling is an effective treatment for reducing the appearance of stubborn dark spots, known as hyperpigmentation. It’s less invasive than other treatments (like lasers), and can be used on all skin types.
hyperpigmentation after microneedling treatment
The question as to whether hyperpigmentation occurs due to microneedling is brought up repeatedly. The obvious question is that if “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation” (PIH) is common in darker skin types, why would needling not be considered “high risk” in these patients, given that inflammation results with needling? The answer hinges around the degree and duration of inflammation. This response is typically not prolonged, nor is it as intense after needling when compared to other treatment modalities. Microneedling stimulates production of TGF-B3 which has anti-inflammatory effects. It also stimulates TGF-B1 which restricts pigment formation through downregulation of tyrosinase via decreased gene expression as well as decreasing its intracellular half-life. [i] Also, anti-inflammatory skincare ingredients, such as phosphatidylcholine, typically used in conjunction with needling, limit the inflammatory response. There are other mechanisms due to microneedling that normalize pigment formation as well which I won’t discuss here.
The problem with hyperpigmentation is that there are so many variables and it is almost impossible to determine underlying cause with complete certainty. It usually involves multiple factors. Yes, there are the typical causes which we tend to focus on, such as sun exposure, PIH, smoking, genetics, hormones, photosensitizing meds and skin care products, etc., but the list is too extensive to include here, though some lesser known causes are discussed below.
Microneedling is touted as being colorblind, though it is the microneedling PLUS…..and you can fill in the blanks with chemical peels, photosensitizers, sun exposure, etc. that results in hyperpigmentation. Microneedling is never done in isolation. Life happens. Avoiding sun exposure is virtually impossible in the weeks following treatment. Women have hormones that influence melanogenesis. Many people are on medications which cannot be discontinued that are photosensitizers. Higher Fitz patients are exceptionally capable of producing pigment, and once we have awakened the sleeping giant with rejuvenation treatments, all the traditional treatments for pigmentation, such as IPL, Laser, and Chemical Peels, provoke a perturbed cell even more.
In summary, Microneedling in isolation regulates and normalizes pigment formation, both at a melanocyte and keratinocyte level. It does not cause hyperpigmentation without other influencing factors.
Here are some additional lesser-known things to ponder:
For those of you who have completed my Online Course and attended my live class, you will recall that light stimulation of the pituitary gland via the retina can increase MSH (Melanin Stimulating Hormone), so pigment can increase while indoors looking at a computer screen all day.
A lesser-known cause of hyperpigmentation pertains to temperature. If you were to treat someone who lived in a hot climate, but hypothetically lived in the dark (a vampire for instance), they could still develop hyperpigmentation. This mechanism is poorly understood. One theory is that increased perfusion drives the melanogenesis equation to production via an abundance of precursors for melanin, though I have not found any studies to verify this. However, increased temperature does accelerate the tyrosinase reaction and is thought to explain hyperpigmentation found in skin chronically exposed to heat sources and body folds. [ii]
There is also a condition called “erythema ab igne”, where pigmentation results due to angiogenesis caused by heat exposure, e.g. hot water bottle, laptop, ovens, etc. It is thought that chronic vasodilatation from heat leads to leaking of inflammatory cells into the tissue with ensuing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
As a side note, pH also affects melanogenesis. One study showed that melanin synthesis is maximal at a pH of 6.8 and melanin production is suppressed by lowering melanosome pH. [iii] Conventional wisdom maintains that the chief mechanism of action with most chemical peels is through exfoliation, but there may well be other mechanisms that play a greater role than we think. Not that I want to encourage you to rush to this treatment modality as a first choice in treating hyperpigmentation because exfoliating the natural barrier, along with the bilayers, has its own drawbacks that complicate the cascades of wound healing triggered by microneedling. Chemical peels, by definition, cause inflammation. This adds fuel to the fire in patients at high risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Due to the power of Microneedling pens compared with rollers, it is easier to over-treat the skin with electronic devices, especially when some recommend bleeding and maceration as the endpoint. This inevitably also creates significant inflammation, and thus combining chemical peels with microneedling increases the risk of PIH considerably in high Fitz patients.
In essence, microneedling is a proven treatment for optimizing skin health that is superior in many ways to other treatment modalities, but, like most things in life, it has its limitations. In our quest for maximizing results beyond these limitations we often try to amplify the positive effects by adding other treatment modalities, forgetting that microneedling may also amplify the negative effects of these treatments through increased absorption or inflammation. Frequently these problems arise when pushing the envelope while trying to compete with practitioners that have greater scope of practice in an attempt to equal their results. A good example of this is when aestheticians use a cosmetic roller and occlusion to enhance penetration of topical anesthetic, thus converting an OTC product into a “drug” that would normally require a prescription to attain those levels of effectiveness. This defeats the purpose of imposing dose level restrictions and removes the very protection it was supposed to afford the practitioner (and client/patient) according to their level of ability and responsibility should an emergency occur, such as cardiac arrest.
Again, I urge practitioners to stay within their scope of practice. Less is best. Accept that microneedling has limitations. Accept your own limitations (scope), and rest in the knowledge that pigmentation disorders are extremely complex and we cannot always fix everything that comes through our doors. Keep it simple and keep it safe.
how to get rid of hyperpigmentation after microneedling
The question as to whether hyperpigmentation occurs due to microneedling is brought up repeatedly. The obvious question is that if “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation” (PIH) is common in darker skin types, why would needling not be considered “high risk” in these patients, given that inflammation results with needling? The answer hinges around the degree and duration of inflammation. This response is typically not prolonged, nor is it as intense after needling when compared to other treatment modalities. Microneedling stimulates production of TGF-B3 which has anti-inflammatory effects. It also stimulates TGF-B1 which restricts pigment formation through downregulation of tyrosinase via decreased gene expression as well as decreasing its intracellular half-life. [i] Also, anti-inflammatory skincare ingredients, such as phosphatidylcholine, typically used in conjunction with needling, limit the inflammatory response. There are other mechanisms due to microneedling that normalize pigment formation as well which I won’t discuss here.
The problem with hyperpigmentation is that there are so many variables and it is almost impossible to determine underlying cause with complete certainty. It usually involves multiple factors. Yes, there are the typical causes which we tend to focus on, such as sun exposure, PIH, smoking, genetics, hormones, photosensitizing meds and skin care products, etc., but the list is too extensive to include here, though some lesser known causes are discussed below.
Microneedling is touted as being colorblind, though it is the microneedling PLUS…..and you can fill in the blanks with chemical peels, photosensitizers, sun exposure, etc. that results in hyperpigmentation. Microneedling is never done in isolation. Life happens. Avoiding sun exposure is virtually impossible in the weeks following treatment. Women have hormones that influence melanogenesis. Many people are on medications which cannot be discontinued that are photosensitizers. Higher Fitz patients are exceptionally capable of producing pigment, and once we have awakened the sleeping giant with rejuvenation treatments, all the traditional treatments for pigmentation, such as IPL, Laser, and Chemical Peels, provoke a perturbed cell even more.
In summary, Microneedling in isolation regulates and normalizes pigment formation, both at a melanocyte and keratinocyte level. It does not cause hyperpigmentation without other influencing factors.
Here are some additional lesser-known things to ponder:
For those of you who have completed my Online Course and attended my live class, you will recall that light stimulation of the pituitary gland via the retina can increase MSH (Melanin Stimulating Hormone), so pigment can increase while indoors looking at a computer screen all day.
A lesser-known cause of hyperpigmentation pertains to temperature. If you were to treat someone who lived in a hot climate, but hypothetically lived in the dark (a vampire for instance), they could still develop hyperpigmentation. This mechanism is poorly understood. One theory is that increased perfusion drives the melanogenesis equation to production via an abundance of precursors for melanin, though I have not found any studies to verify this. However, increased temperature does accelerate the tyrosinase reaction and is thought to explain hyperpigmentation found in skin chronically exposed to heat sources and body folds. [ii]
There is also a condition called “erythema ab igne”, where pigmentation results due to angiogenesis caused by heat exposure, e.g. hot water bottle, laptop, ovens, etc. It is thought that chronic vasodilatation from heat leads to leaking of inflammatory cells into the tissue with ensuing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
As a side note, pH also affects melanogenesis. One study showed that melanin synthesis is maximal at a pH of 6.8 and melanin production is suppressed by lowering melanosome pH. [iii] Conventional wisdom maintains that the chief mechanism of action with most chemical peels is through exfoliation, but there may well be other mechanisms that play a greater role than we think. Not that I want to encourage you to rush to this treatment modality as a first choice in treating hyperpigmentation because exfoliating the natural barrier, along with the bilayers, has its own drawbacks that complicate the cascades of wound healing triggered by microneedling. Chemical peels, by definition, cause inflammation. This adds fuel to the fire in patients at high risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Due to the power of Microneedling pens compared with rollers, it is easier to over-treat the skin with electronic devices, especially when some recommend bleeding and maceration as the endpoint. This inevitably also creates significant inflammation, and thus combining chemical peels with microneedling increases the risk of PIH considerably in high Fitz patients.
In essence, microneedling is a proven treatment for optimizing skin health that is superior in many ways to other treatment modalities, but, like most things in life, it has its limitations. In our quest for maximizing results beyond these limitations we often try to amplify the positive effects by adding other treatment modalities, forgetting that microneedling may also amplify the negative effects of these treatments through increased absorption or inflammation. Frequently these problems arise when pushing the envelope while trying to compete with practitioners that have greater scope of practice in an attempt to equal their results. A good example of this is when aestheticians use a cosmetic roller and occlusion to enhance penetration of topical anesthetic, thus converting an OTC product into a “drug” that would normally require a prescription to attain those levels of effectiveness. This defeats the purpose of imposing dose level restrictions and removes the very protection it was supposed to afford the practitioner (and client/patient) according to their level of ability and responsibility should an emergency occur, such as cardiac arrest.
Again, I urge practitioners to stay within their scope of practice. Less is best. Accept that microneedling has limitations. Accept your own limitations (scope), and rest in the knowledge that pigmentation disorders are extremely complex and we cannot always fix everything that comes through our doors. Keep it simple and keep it safe.
does microneedling get rid of brown spots
Dark spots, or skin hyperpigmentation, affect many people but can seem impossible to cure or get rid of. Fortunately, numerous skin treatments such as chemical peels or microneedling Orlando procedures can help with this. Each has its benefits, and depending on your skin type, one might be better than the other.
Here’s a quick guide to both treatments that can help you know which method might work best for you.
What Is Microneedling and How Does It Help Dark Spots?
Microneedling is a professional procedure performed by dermatologists to help with a myriad of skin conditions. It may be used to treat acne scars, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, or rejuvenate your skin.
When it comes to helping with dark spots, microneedling is commonly used. With microneedling, the pigment under your skin in a specific area is broken apart. If the problem is in the epidermal layer of your skin, microneedling usually works very well. This is because the treatment induces collagen production without damaging the epidermis.
Microneedling can be used even if the problem lies deeper within your skin and in the dermis layer. However, at this level, you’ll need several sessions for microneedling to be efficient.
After undergoing microneedling treatment, make sure always to wear sunscreen. If you don’t, the dark spots may reappear, or your results may not be satisfactory.
What Are Facial Peels and How Do They Help With Dark Spots?
Chemical peels are used by dermatologists as a deep exfoliant. These peels break apart melanin clusters under the skin. They peel off the topmost layer of skin to remove hyperpigmentation.
Depending on your situation, your dermatologist will adjust the concentration, the number of coats, and how long the peel stays on your face. You may need multiple sessions for the peel to provide satisfactory results, but they are only efficient for hyperpigmentation problems that lie in the top layer of skin. With chemical peels, your skin may feel slightly sensitive afterward. You may notice inflammation after a session.
When you undergo a chemical peel treatment, you may be given a prescription cream to use for a month beforehand. This will ensure that you get the most out of your treatment.
Should You Choose Peels or Microneedling for Dark Spots?
Both chemical peels and microneedling will help with dark spots but in different ways. Your dermatologist will be able to provide you with the best answer as to which one will be best for your unique situation, but some indicators can help you know which will be best.
Since chemical peels remove the topmost layer of skin, they are best when the cause of your dark spots is in the epidermis. If the cause is deeper, a chemical peel won’t be able to reach it, and you won’t receive satisfactory results.
Microneedling is good for when the cause of your dark spots lies deeper in your skin, in the dermis layer. With several sessions, microneedling is able to reach deeper and break up pigmentation clusters that lie under the epidermis. However, microneedling can also be used for dark spots that are caused by problems in the epidermis.