What’s the difference between cosmetic and medical skin needling?

A great question and one we’re often asked as there is a definite difference between cosmetic and medical skin needling.

Micro-needling is a brilliant way to improve the appearance of your skin.

You can opt for treatments carried out in the clinic that induce collagen, known as medical skin needling and home cosmetic rolling devices designed for enhanced product penetration.

While we recommend both, we think it’s essential to understand the difference.

We’re rolling with the punctures.

In our clinical treatments, we use needles at a depth between 0.5 to 1 millimetre’s to effectively puncture the skin, causing microscopic wounds, which activate a healing response to trigger growth factors into stimulating new collagen.

The body’s collagen production begins to slow in our mid-to-late 20s. By the time we reach our mid-30s, it will significantly decrease by about 1-2 per cent every year.

Of course, the speed of decline will depend on how well you’ve cared for your skin and the amount of UV radiation exposure you’ve experienced.

It’s a bit depressing, which is why medical skin needling is such an excellent solution for remodelling your collagen.

Medical skin needling is beneficial in boosting collagen, minimising fine lines and wrinkles, and reducing the visible appearance of acne scarring when you engage in a series of treatments.

Select Skin uses Dermapen 3, a medically engineered device that utilises 12 surgical grade micro-needles to deliver effective skin needling.

We use compound prescription numbing cream, so there is no discomfort.

You can expect 24 hours of slightly pink and mildly inflamed skin, and by day three, you can expect the skin to become quite dry as the healing processes begin to restore your skin. During this time, we recommend rescue balm by Cosmedix or Occuderm by Synergie https://erotovate.com

A qualified practitioner must perform Dermapen 3 procedures. All Select Skin staff have the required qualifications for safe and effective treatments.

Letting the good times roll at home. 

Home rolling or cosmetic needling devices will supercharge the efficacy of the active ingredients in your serums by creating tiny channels to allow serum formulations to seep down into the deeper layers of the skin.

It’s a way of getting active ingredients beyond the stratum corneum, which you can think of as the gatekeeper of the skin.

By creating microscopic pathways, we’re able to bypass the upper layers of your skin and drip feed your dermis with active ingredients such as vitamin A, C and B3, which are all essential to the daily functions of healthy skin.

So, although home rolling devices should be considered integral to skin health, they don’t induce collagen; you’ll need medical skin needling for that. However, we can’t think of a better addition to your home routine for in-between other corrective treatments at the clinic.

Environ Cosmetic Roller

This instrument has a smooth action roller head embedded with durable stainless steel micro-needles that protrude 0.1millimetre for use on the face and neck.

Retail Price: $108.00

The home rolling devices are safe and painless as the depth of the needle is for product enhancement, not collagen induction. 

If you’d like to know more about our range of home rolling devices, you can get in touch with us at the clinic on 8034 2140, and we’ll be happy to guide you in your selection, and how to use and care for your device at home or if you’d like to book in for medical skin needling you can book an appointment here. 

See you soon,

Mel x