TCM Micro-Needling and Nano-Needling

Micro-Needling

Micro-needling is a very simple, safe, effective and minimally invasive therapeutic technique to create healthier skin. Also called collagen induction therapy (CIT), micro-needling stimulates the body’s natural healing process to stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin. This results in smoother, tighter, more youthful-looking skin.

Micro-needling is effectively used for: 

• Reducing fine lines and deep wrinkles
• Reducing pore size
• Tightening sagging skin
• Resurfacing skin: creating more even skin texture (without the use of heat or invasive lasers involving extended down time, or thinning of the dermal layer)
• Lightening hyperpigmentation
• Repairing sun damaged skin
• Breaking down surgical and acne scars
• Fading stretch marks
• Increasing product absorption by 80% (normal skin absorption is 7%)
• Increasing collagen and elastin production​

How does micro-needling work?

Our micro-needling procedure uses a state-of-the-art medical device that has tiny “microneedles” which gently create tiny channels in the targeted depth in the skin. We may apply a topical anesthetic, if needed, before beginning the treatment to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the treatment. The tiny wounds prompt the skin to regenerate damaged cells and increase the production of collagen and elastin to naturally repair itself. The depth of the needle penetration will be adjusted to the condition and results desired.

Who can benefit?

Individuals of all ages can benefit from micro-needling depending on your skin care issues and goals. Individuals concerned about early signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles or acne scars, can benefit from micro-needling. You may be an ideal candidate for this procedure if you have certain skin concerns that haven’t responded to home treatments or other types of dermatologic procedures, such as peels. This may also be a final step before considering cosmetic surgery for anti-aging and other concerns. Our practitioners are certified and holistic based to create an individual skin care regime that considers all of your skin care issues, goals and medical history.

Contra-indicated conditions for micro-needling

• Active infections – viral, fungal, bacterial
• Rashes, warts, skin cancer
• Active acne
• Immune-suppressed patients
• Skin-related autoimmune disorders
• Pregnant or breast-feeding
• Cancer
• Patients on anticoagulants (NSAIDS, ASA, Coumadin/Warfarin)
• Recent ablative dermal procedures
• Rosacea
• Diabetes
• Actinic (solar) keratosis
• Use of Accutane within the last 6 months

What is Nano-needling?

Nano-needling uses the same device as the micro-needling pen with a cartridge head of silicone tips instead of needles. The skin is not pierced. Instead the silicone tips separate the cells in the epidermis through pressure which enhances product absorption and can be used over the eyes and lips which are too sensitive for micro-needling. This result is no downtime and the ability to get multiple sessions in a month. Nano Needling works at the epidermis skin level and benefits fine wrinkles, swelling and sagging skin.

Treatment Plan Recommendations

While some benefits may be noticeable after one treatment, for best results a series of treatments is recommended. Our recommendation is monthly micro-needling for four to six months. Once desired results have been achieved, we recommend maintenance treatments to be completed every 4 to 6 months. Facial rejuvenation acupuncture and Celluma Light Therapy may be used in between sessions for even more benefit.

Our clinic uses natural and medically superior skincare products as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) based serums with our treatments.

High Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid (HMW-HA)

More expensive than cheaper, more widely sold Hyaluronic Acid, which is of low molecular weight. Superior in supporting the body’s physiological functions and achieves longer lasting heathy results.

Both types of HA are moisturizing, lubricating and regulate wound healing. High molecular weight-HA is anti-inflammatory, increases natural collagen production, is anti-angiogenic and tumor-suppressing. Low molecular weight HA, is the opposite and gets good results through edema and scar collagen production.

Green Apple Stem Cells

These are from rare Uttwiler Spätlauber apples from Switzerland known to have extraordinary longevity. They have been shown to boost human stem cell production and protect the skin from environmental stressors and reduce the visible signs of aging such as sagging, wrinkles, and dull, uneven skin texture.

Well researched, green apple stem cells have been shown to:

• Protects vitality and longevity of human skin stem cells
• Helps skin cells build new tissues
• Increases skin density
• Increases the vitality of skin stem cells
• Combats chronological aging
• Increases the regenerative potential of the skin
• Improves both wrinkles and skin firmness in the eye contour area

Collagen XG+: Xiang Gu (shitake mushroom extract)

• Natural collagen and elastic builder
• Best for dry deficient skin
• Recommended for use with scars and deep wrinkles

Elastin FL: Fu Ling

• Natural collagen and elastin builder
• Recommended for damp edematous skin or mature skin

Lumos Brighten: Zao Lei (bio-algae)

• Involved in clearing melanin pigmentation and other colorations
• Recommended to treat age spots and melasma

Occulus IntraOrbital: Hai zao

• Moves blood and interstitial fluid
• Best to resolve swelling and treat eye bags

Rejuv Xue Cao: Ji Xue Cao

• Helps speed up the repair process
• Best for inflammation showing heat, toxicity and swelling

Senescence65+: Tian Men Dong

• Helps cells regain ability to grow and divide. Has overall skin rejuvenation effect.
• Recommended for mature older or thin skin