Microneedling (Collagen Induction Therapy)

What It Is

Microneedling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), is one of the safest and most effective non-invasive treatments for overall skin rejuvenation. This gentle resurfacing procedure creates controlled micro-injuries to the skin to stimulate its natural repair process and encourages the healthy production of collagen and elastin. It results in cell regeneration, replacing old and damaged skin cells with new ones and giving you a plump, youthful, and radiant complexion.

APT’s microneedling in Oakville is effective for:

• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
• Improving the appearance of scars (acne, surgical, or trauma)
• Minimizing enlarged pores
• Blurs stretch marks
• Enhances broken capillaries and spider veins

After a series of treatments, patients can expect to see a significant improvement in skin tone and texture. For enhanced results, microneedling therapies may also be combined with topical growth factors derived from your own blood.

Treatment Areas

Microneedling may be performed anywhere on the face or body. It is frequently used in the facial area to target acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles accurately. However, microneedling has also been shown to produce positive results in softening stretch marks in the thighs and abdominal area when combined with fillers. It’s also considered to be safe and effective for most skin types.

How to Prepare

During the initial consultation, your aesthetician will orient you on how to prepare for your microneedling treatment. These may include but is not limited to:

• Discontinue topical beauty or skincare products containing Retin A, retinol, or vitamin A for a week before treatment.
• Wear sunscreen at all times to protect your skin from sunburn and inflammation.
• Use only gentle skincare products approved by your dermatologist or aesthetic therapist.

Most of the recommendations and reminders are intended to ensure that your skin is calm and clear on your treatment day.

How It Works

The microneedling device is motorized with a sterile tip containing very fine needles. When the tool is run over the skin, the needles create tiny punctures in the top layer of the skin, triggering the body to produce new collagen and elastin.

APT Medical Aesthetics is pleased to offer microneedling treatments with the ACS-Pen, a state-of-the-art device that is the culmination of 30 years of scientific research and practical experience. Unlike other microneedling devices and dermal rollers, ACS (Advanced Cell Stimulation) features a linear needle module (i.e. 10 microneedles in one line). It offers a comfortable, precise treatment with minimal to no downtime. The ACS-Pen is unmatched in engineering, precision, and efficacy.

Each microneedling treatment takes approximately 20-30 minutes. During the procedure, your technician will apply a hyaluronic acid serum to your skin before gliding the ACS-Pen over the skin’s surface in a precise pattern, allowing the micro-needles to enter the skin vertically. This will ensure a uniform treatment, with an accurate number of micro-injuries necessary to generate results. The depth of the treatment will be determined by which skin concerns are being targeted. After the treatment, your technician will apply the appropriate post-treatment products and provide you with post-treatment instructions.

Due to advanced technology offered by the ACS-Pen, a topical anesthetic is typically no longer required for our microneedling in Oakville treatment. You may feel a slight vibration on the skin, but the treatment is virtually painless.

Results You Can Expect

After microneedling, your skin cells begin to work double-time to produce new tissues. Many of our patients notice an immediate glow in their skin after their first microneedling treatment. More dramatic effects become more noticeable as they continue with the recommended series of treatments. Expect to see a smoother and finer skin texture and even skin tone as your skin exfoliates optimally.

Within 4-6 weeks, you may see visible improvements in fine lines and pore size as the skin’s epidermis thickens. Improvement in scars may continue up to two years post-treatment, as new and healthy tissue is developed continuously.

Enhanced results may be achieved with an appropriate skincare routine and daily use of a sunscreen of at least SPF 30.

Aftercare and Recovery

Due to advanced technology offered by the ACS-Pen, our microneedling in Oakville is a non-invasive treatment with very minimal to no downtime.

Some patients may experience skin redness or sensitivity after the treatment, which is normal and should resolve in hours or days. Other patients may experience no redness whatsoever. Most patients return to routine activities immediately after the treatment.

Get the most out of your microneedling treatment with these aftercare tips.

• Do not use makeup or any product on the treatment area for the first 12 hours post-treatment. Patients are usually asked to wait for up to 72 hours before going back to their regular skincare or makeup routine. Your aesthetician will give you a list of recommended products to use for aftercare maintenance.
• Stay indoors for the next 48 hours as much as possible. Your treated skin is still photosensitive, and exposure to ultraviolet light can be damaging for you.
• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen at all times and reapply every 2 hours.
• Do not use tanning beds or spray tans, which also exposes your skin to harmful UV light.
• Refrain from exercising or doing any strenuous activity within the first 72 hours of treatment. Exerting effort and sweating out can irritate the skin, which is still raw. Gyms are also notorious for being hotspots for bacteria, which can infect your skin.
• Postpone going to the sauna or swimming. These activities put you at risk of irritation, inflammation, or infection due to sweating and the harsh chemicals in most pools.
• Steer clear of alcohol-based toners for up to 14 days after microneedling treatment.
• Avoid using powered facial cleansers for 10 days or as advised by your aesthetician.

Potential Complications

Microneedling is generally a minimally invasive and safe cosmetic treatment. However, as with any procedure, complications are possible in the hands of an inexperienced technician or an incompetent clinic.

After the procedure, it’s normal to see redness in the treated area, which can dissipate within two to three days. On the contrary, check for bruising, bleeding, excessive pain, which are potential symptoms of infection. Contact your medical aesthetician immediately to mitigate further complications.

APT’s microneedling therapy can address an extensive array of skin conditions. However, we do not recommend it if you:

• Are pregnant or trying to be pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Have pre-existing skin diseases, psoriasis or eczema
• Have a severe sunburn
• Have a pimple or an acne problem
• Have broken skin or an open wound
• Have an active cold sore
• Have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease like lupus
• Have undergone radiation therapy in the recent months
• Have diabetes of any kind

These conditions already make your skin sensitive and vulnerable and therefore impedes its natural healing ability. When you have pimples or active infection, microneedling can spread the acne and disease-causing bacteria in other areas and further exacerbate it.

If you fall under these categories, microneedling may not be for you, but don’t lose hope. Our professional medical aestheticians at APT can recommend other cosmetic procedures that are guaranteed to be safer for your health and equally useful for your specific skin or beauty concern.

Why Choose APT Medical Aesthetics?

APT Medical Aesthetics is an internationally recognized medical spa catering to clients in Oakville and other provinces in Canada. We have a team of highly qualified and certified aestheticians who can help you achieve your beauty goals and skin care needs with the latest advancements in cosmetic therapies and technologies.

If you have any questions about our microneedling in Oakville or are looking to book your free consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.