Treating Enlarged Pores With Skin Needling
In a recent article, we elaborated upon the latest cosmetic evolutions in the last decade. (Read our article on Top Cosmetic Evolutions Of The Last Decade).
In today’s article, we will help to educate you further about the skin needling cosmetic procedure to treat enlarged pores.
Reasons for enlarged pores
Tiny openings in the skin, which are commonly known as skin pores, tend to release oil (serum) in preparation to cool down the body. An overall increased flow of sweat and oil can result in overstretching of skin pores leading to enlarged pores.
Enlarged pores can occur anywhere on the overall body but are particularly distressing when they are on the face. With age and loss of collagen, the skin pore tends to appear more prominent. The appearance of enlarged pores can also be a result of-
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Genetics
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Acne
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Extractions and squeezing of skin pores, and
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Blackheads and whiteheads
About skin needling
Acne can appear on the face when the skin pores get filled with dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria. If the skin pores get inflamed and burst, some pore walls can rupture deeper into the skin and leak into the deeper tissues, and this can create larger lesions and acne scars.
Skin needling is a non-laser, vertical needle delivery treatment used to treat enlarged pores and acne scarring. It involves puncturing the dermis (superficial layer of the skin) multiple times with tiny needles attached to a cylindrical roller. Micropunctures are created using microneedles which produce a controlled skin injury without damaging the epidermis. These micro-injuries lead to minimal superficial bleeding and set up a wound healing cascade with the release of various growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-alpha and beta (TGF-α and TGF-β), connective tissue activating protein, connective tissue growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). The needles also break down the old hardened scar strands and allow them to revascularise. Neovascularisation and Neocollagenesis are initiated by the migration and proliferation of fibroblasts and the intercellular matrix. A fibronectin matrix then forms after five days of injury that determines collagen deposition, resulting in skin tightening persisting for around 5–7 years in the form of collagen.
Skin needling procedure
The procedure should only be performed by a trained Aesthetic practitioner with a sound understanding of adipose tissue and the patient’s overall physiology and anatomy.
The treatment area is cleaned first, and then a topical or local anesthetic agent is used to minimise the discomfort. An ink ‘tattoo grid’ is drawn on the treatment area to guide the delivery of injections. The marks are then removed with an alcohol-soaked swab after the cosmetic procedure is over.
After preparing the area, the skin is stretched with one hand, and a pen-like device with a head made up of several tiny needles is used on the treatment area. The device vibrates quickly, enabling it to puncture the dermis (superficial layer of the skin) several times in a few seconds. It touches the dermis to spur the body to heal itself and produce new collagen and elastin. Thus creating a smoother, firmer, more radiant complexion.
The overall skin needling treatment procedure will take between 10 and 20 minutes, though patients need to buffer more time if they are receiving topical anesthesia. Usually, multiple skin needling sessions are required based on the patient’s requirements, spaced one month apart. The needles are inserted deeper into the skin at each session since the skin becomes thicker and able to withstand a deeper penetration over time.
The treatment area is soaked with saline or ice packs to comfort the patient post-procedure. After that, the patient is advised to use sunscreen regularly and follow sun-protective measures. The overall procedure is well-tolerated by the patients, and there are usually no post-treatment sequelae except slight swelling and redness that generally last up to 2–3 days.
Areas targeted during skin needling
According to expert aesthetic practitioners, skin needling can help with the following concerns -
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Acne scars
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Fine lines
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Wrinkles
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Enlarged pores
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Hyperpigmentation and sunspots
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Lost elasticity
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Uneven skin textures
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Stretch marks
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Uneven skin tones
Advantages of skin needling
Some of the benefits of skin needling cosmetic procedures are as follows-
Safe and effective for all skin types
Skin needling only removes dead or dying skin and not the deeper layers of the skin that are still viable (alive).
Virtually painless
Since skin needling is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that gently exfoliates the surface, removing just the top layer of the skin, it is often considered less painful than other invasive treatment procedures.
Minimal downtime
Skin needling is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that targets only the skin's surface layers. It can cover a much larger area at once, meaning a much faster treatment time and minimal downtime.
Improves collagen production
Regular skin needling treatment yields mild collagen growth over time. A boost in collagen can help to minimise the overall appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of skin abnormalities.
Potential side effects of skin needling
A trained doctor should perform skin needling cosmetic procedures with a sound understanding of physiology and human skin anatomy. Like any cosmetic procedure, skin needling also has mild side effects like pain, bruising, numbness, and tenderness or redness and swelling. However mistakes in the procedure may also lead to severe scarring, infection, itching, and excessive bleeding.
About IIWAM training in skin needling
It is prudent that all Aesthetic practitioners undergo proper training in Aesthetic Medicine. The practitioner must balance between benefits & risks of the Aesthetic procedure and steps to mitigate complications if it occurs. At IIWAM, we call it understanding the procedure, the product, and the patient, and our trainers pay utmost attention to teaching the following subjects of skin needling to treat enlarged pores under our best Advanced Aesthetic courses in Skin.
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What are the layers of the skin?
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What is the principle behind skin needling?
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What are the principles of the skin needling injection procedure?
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What are skin needling injection complications?
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How to avoid skin needling injection complications?
Apply for the best online aesthetic courses from IIWAM today.
About IIWAM
International Institute of Wellness & Aesthetic Medicine (https://www.iiwam.ac/education) is a private teaching institution that provides International Aesthetic Medical Certification programs for Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Aestheticians, and Spa Owners. Prof Dr Morthy, the course director for the Institute, is a key opinion leader for Aesthetic Medicine in the region, and a trainer for several teaching institutions.
The International Institute of Wellness & Aesthetic Medicine (IIWAM) has academic affiliations with several countries, including Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, India and Indonesia. With our insignia of “Be Certified & Be Recognized”, the Institute develops knowledgeable, skilled, and confident aesthetic practitioners of international repute.
IIWAM is the only Institute to have its Programs certified by City & Guilds of London, CPD Standards Office (UK) and European International University (Paris). IIWAM is also a registered CPD Training provider for Malaysian Medical Association.
IIWAM also offers Cosmetic Procedures and Stem Cell treatment at IIWAM Wellness Centre (https://www.iiwam.ac/wellness) that are safe, effective, and affordable.