At Skin and Face Clinics, we focus on evidence-based skincare. Preventative treatments and products are key to maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin as we age. One of our most popular treatments to help achieve this is microneedling, a minimally invasive procedure that stimulates your skin’s natural ability to repair and rejuvenate.

Understanding Your Skin

Collagen and elastin are two key proteins that give our skin structure and elasticity. We naturally start to lose collagen and elastin from our skin from our late 20s and 30s, which leads to: your body gradually produces less of these proteins. This leads to:

Loss of skin volume
Flattened skin structure
Reduced elasticity
Fine lines and wrinkles

The rate of collagen loss increases over time, particularly for women around menopause. Lifestyle factors like sun exposure, smoking, and poor diet can accelerate this process, making your skin appear older faster.

Boosting collagen and elastin production is proven to help maintain a smoother, healthier, and more youthful appearance. This is primarily done through dietary supplementation (we love the evidence based ‘Skinade’ drink supplement) or through minimally invasive procedures, like microneedling.

What is Microneedling?

Microneedling is incredibly popular, and for good reason. Sometimes known as collagen induction therapy, it is a treatment involves creating small holes within the skin barrier with fine, sterile needles, to stimulate the body’s natural healing response caused by this controlled skin trauma:

Blood flow to the treated area increases
White blood cells flood the skin to repair it
Collagen and elastin are produced to strengthen and rejuvenate the skin

Modern microneedling has been around since the 1990s. However significant advancements have been made in both the equipment and customisation of treatments. Use of custom serums is a key advancement in microneedling, delivering skincare actives deep into the skin layers post treatment, leading to enhanced absorption. These actives now also include the latest technology in growth factors in the form of Exosomes.

What to Expect from a Microneedling Treatment

Microneedling is usually performed in a series of treatments for best results. We typically recommend 3-6 treatments around 2-4 or sometimes 6 weeks apart to allow the skin to fully heal and recover between treatments.

During the procedure, you can expect some slight discomfort similar to a scratching sensation. Most patients tolerate this well, but topical anaesthetic can be used if needed. After treatment, it’s normal to experience:

Redness (usually settles within 12–24 hours)
Minor bleeding or spotting
Mild swelling

We also incorporate light therapy after treatment to speed up recovery and reduce redness.

After completing a course of microneedling, many patients notice:

Improved skin texture and firmness
Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
Smaller pores and more even skin tone
Reduced pigmentation and redness

Microneedling for Acne

Acne is a complex skin condition, with severity and type varying from person to person. In the past, microneedling was not recommended for acne due to concerns about spreading bacteria.

However, a 2023 study found that microneedling can be extremely beneficial in the treatment of acne. Essentially, it allows for penetration into papules/pustules or comodomes, essentially helping prevent blockages of sebaceous glands, while encouraging rapid turnover of skin cells and inflammation to repair and heal the skin (Alqam ML, Jones BC, Hitchcock TM).

This makes microneedling a useful option for active acne, acne scarring, and improving overall skin quality.

Who is Microneedling Suitable For?

Microneedling is safe and effective for a wide range of skin concerns, including:

Enlarged pores
Uneven skin texture or crepey skin
Scarring from acne or injury
Pigmentation issues
Fine lines and wrinkles

At Skin and Face Clinics, microneedling is available for adults aged 18 and over, with treatments tailored to individual skin needs and concerns.

If you’re wondering whether microneedling is right for you, contact us to discuss suitability and any questions you may have. We would also be happy to offer consultation during your next appointment with us.

Why Choose Skin and Face Clinics

Our clinics offer:

Evidence-based treatments using the latest microneedling technology
Customised serums and growth factors for enhanced results
Experienced clinicians focused on patient comfort and safety
Convenient locations in Cardiff and Surrey

Take the first step towards rejuvenated, healthy skin today. Your skin deserves expert care and visible results.

Citation:
Alqam ML, Jones BC, Hitchcock TM. Study to determine the safety and efficacy of microneedling as an effective treatment for acne vulgaris. Skin Health Dis. 2023;3(5):e264. Published 2023 Jul 5. doi:10.1002/ski2.264

Microneedling: Boost Collagen and Rejuvenate Your Skin