Haven’t you found an effective treatment to reduce your stretch marks? Would you like to show off a skin without scars? Do you want to rejuvenate your complexion? Thinking about getting a stretch mark treatment with dermapen and want tips on microneedling before and after?
The dermapen or microneedling treatment is a cosmetic process that helps you protect your skin and dramatically improve the look of it. It can be applied to both the face and the body.
In this guide I am going to focus on the treatment of facial microneedling, a safe and effective option to keep your facial skin free of wrinkles, acne marks and scars.
What is microneedling?
The microneedling or also known as Dermapen is treatment that is done through numerous micro-punctures the skin.
Its main objective is to promote the absorption of cosmetic treatments that help you maintain the health of your skin: collagen, plasma rich in platelets, hyaluronic acid, etc. And produce a dermal stimulation capable of activating the natural mechanisms of tissue repair.
In short, the Dermapen helps stimulate the work of stem cells, in a specific area of your skin, to get rid of wrinkles, stretch marks and scars.
On the other hand, you surely know this treatment as Dermapen. However, “Dermapen” is one of hundreds of available brands of the device used to perform micro-punctures. It is not the name of the aesthetic technique.
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Dermapen Treatment: Step by step
Will the treatment hurt you? What products will they apply to your face? Does the Dermapen adapt to different skin types? Do dermapen treatments have positive opinions on their final results?
How many sessions should be done? Is intensity established depending on the problem to be treated or is it gradually increasing in intensity with a good treatment?
The number of sessions will depend on the condition, the type of skin and the problems that the patient has on the face.
It is normal for them to be several sessions and see the evolution. It is very important to start the treatment with a low intensity and increase it as you progress: this is how the sensitivity and reactions of the person to this treatment are evaluated.
Trying a new treatment always raises doubts, especially if you do not know what it consists of and do not know what the dermapen entails before and after.
This is why I will detail you step by step how your Dermapen treatment will be.
Step 1: Cleaning
Your skin is able to retain traces of sunscreen or makeup, dead cells and sweat, among others. That is why it is essential that, before any aesthetic treatment, the doctor performs a cleaning to help remove the remains of impurities from the skin.
In this first step, a light gel cleanser is used that will not dry out your skin. And once your dermis is cleaned, the product will be removed with disposable wipes or sponges.
Step 2: Exfoliation
Then you will have a brief exfoliation to ensure that there is no residue on your skin. For this, a couple drops of 10% glycolic acid are used. It is diluted because during microneedling your skin will suffer a slight abrasion due to the micropuncture of the needles.
This chemical compound is designed to act on any type of skin (dry, oily, combination) for a few minutes, to avoid over-sensitizing it before treatment.
In addition, glycolic acid is ideal for regenerating the skin, removing dead cells, and reducing both sun spots and post-acne spots.
Step 3: Ampoule Application
Now that the skin is prepared, they apply the ampoule to the area to be treated. The amount and content will depend on the characteristics of the patient’s skin and what the specialist doctor decides. The chemical they use (stem cells, growth factors, platelet-rich plasma, etc.) is up to the doctor and their strategy to improve the health of your skin.
However, regardless of the cosmetic treatment they used, its main function is to stimulate the repair of the dermis to achieve the expected result.
Step 4: Microneedling
Once the ampoule is applied, it is time to start microneedling. It is applied first to the cheeks and then to the forehead, a more delicate area as it has less fat under the skin (work at higher speed, less intensity and less pressure on the skin with the dermapen).
The first thing is to correctly configure the pencil or dermapen device according to the thickness of the patient’s skin, type of expression line, type of scar and its sensitivity. As you will see, it is a very personalized treatment for each person.
If you want to know what type of microneedles, intensity or depth (higher for more severe scars, lower for more superficial scars) and speed (more speed on delicate and sensitive skin, less on resistant and thick skin) to apply, check it out.
The specialist will place the Dermapen on your skin and move it with medium pressure. So you’re able to feel the needles in contact with your dermis without experiencing severe pain during the treatment.
In addition, the movements that you will perform with the device can vary between: circular, in the shape of a figure or with small touches.
Although this process has to be carried out until your dermis has absorbed all the chemical (step 3), it should not last more than 20 minutes: it is considered that it is better to carry out intense sessions and of short duration, than an extensive procedure that generates a greater abrasion on the skin.
You should also keep in mind that during the micropuncture it is normal for your skin to turn red or swollen. These symptoms may disappear within an hour or even last for a week after treatment.
On the other hand, the micro-abrasions performed by the needles help stimulate elastin and collagen in your skin. And when combined with the ampoule, its effect is much faster and more powerful.
Step 5: Mask
It’s time to let your skin rest! In this step they will apply a cold mask to hydrate and calm that uncomfortable feeling on your skin.
It will be removed depending on the absorption time of the mask, normally after between 15 and 20 minutes.
And when you remove it, they will give you a brief lifting massage (with movements from the bottom up on your face) that you will surely love.
Step 6: Moisturizer
Afterward, the doctor will put on a collagen-based moisturizer. This cream aims to help regenerate and reduce the depth of skin imperfections (expression wrinkles, signs of aging, etc.) through thickening of the dermis.
Step 7: Sunscreen
Lastly, a generous amount of sunscreen will be applied to your skin. The main difference between this product and sunscreen is that the latter only has a sunscreen. While sunscreen works as a barrier between UV rays and your skin.
Advantage and disadvantage of the Dermapen treatment
Among the most outstanding advantages of microneedling I can mention the following:
- Considerably reduces stretch marks, especially on the belly, thighs and hips.
- Minimizes facial flaccidity.
- It favors the production of elastin and collagen in a natural way.
- Helps correct facial wrinkles.
- Reduces scars.
Despite all its benefits, you should also keep in mind that the Dermapen has contraindications such as:
- Inflammation and prolonged burning sensation on the skin.
- Its application is prohibited in people with coagulation disorders, healing problems or acneic skin (since it can enter the pimple and spread the bacteria all over the face).
- If you do not comply with the care indicated by your doctor, you can develop spots on the skin.
Dermapen Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions
Before making an appointment for this treatment, make sure you clarify all your doubts with your doctor.
How many micro needles does a microneedling cartridge have?
For the aesthetic doctor to perform a good Dermapen treatment with results adjusted to your needs, he must adapt the number of microneedles, the depth (0.25 to 2.5 mm) and the power to the characteristics of your skin.
If your imperfections are in the first layers of the dermis, with 36 micro needles and a depth of 0.25 to 1 mm will be more than enough to stimulate the recovery of your skin.
What types of care should you have after treatment with Dermapen?
After microneedling you should avoid exposing yourself to the sun, you have to protect your skin with a sunscreen (several times a day) and follow a diet that favors the production of collagen in your body.
What is the price of the Dermapen treatment?
I cannot assure you of an exact price for the Dermapen facial, as each doctor sets a unique fee when determining the depth of the lesions on your skin and how long it will take to reduce them.
Can I get a stretch mark treatment with Dermapen?
Yes, Dermapen is an effective method to reduce, and in some cases make stretch marks disappear in areas such as the belly, hips and thighs.
How long will it take to see results from the Dermapen?
It depends on the skin of each person, since the scars on my face are not the same as yours. However, you may start to see small results after 4-6 weeks.
Can I get a Dermapen at home?
Yes, you can buy the device and perform this treatment yourself. However, if you do not have experience and you prefer to avoid unwanted accidents, at first it is best to leave it in the hands of a professional.
The microneedling is an excellent option to remove those wrinkles, scars or stretch marks that do not want on your skin. As long as you are willing to follow the medical indications that this treatment entails.