Microneedling

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA

Microneedling Anne Lee Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center

Microneedling is a popular cosmetic skin rejuvenation treatment that is designed to stimulate the production of collagen. This treatment is performed to help address signs of facial aging and skin imperfections, such as fine lines, creases, irregular pigmentation, facial scarring, and more, all while enhancing the overall quality and health of the skin.

Anne Lee, PA-C, PHD, DMSc, MSPAS, MPH, is a highly accomplished dermatology provider at the Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center. With over 18 years of clinical experience, she has helped thousands of patients address their concerns and achieve clearer, cleaner skin. She has served as a consultant for multiple major pharmaceutical companies and actively serves on the leadership board of the Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA).

To schedule your personal consultation with Anne Lee, please submit our online contact form. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call (310) 829-4104.

About Microneedling

Microneedling is a cosmetic skin treatment that is performed to address various skin concerns and imperfections by stimulating the production of collagen. Microneedling utilizes a device with tiny needles that are used to create micropunctures in the skin. This triggers the body’s regenerative healing response and enhances collagen levels, which can lead to an improvement in skin tone and texture. (1) Anne Lee can perform microneedling on all skin types and tones, restoring a more youthful-looking appearance for each individual.

Benefits

Microneedling offers numerous advantages, making it an excellent choice for patients interested in rejuvenating their skin. These advantages include the following:

  • Stimulating Collagen Production: Microneedling stimulates the skin’s natural collagen production, leading to firmer, healthier-looking skin.
  • Reducing Fine Lines and Wrinkles: By encouraging new skin cell turnover, microneedling can diminish the appearance of visible aging, including fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Improving Skin Texture: Patients often experience significantly smoother skin after their treatment due to the body’s natural regeneration process.
  • Minimizing Acne Scars: For patients with unwanted acne scars, microneedling can effectively soften and reduce their visibility over time.
  • Enhancing Product Absorption: After microneedling, skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers, maximizing their benefits and effectiveness.
  • Minimal Downtime: As a minimally invasive procedure, patients often require little recovery time compared to surgical procedures, returning to their daily schedules immediately.
  • Safe Treatment for All Skin Types: Microneedling is suitable for a variety of skin types and tones, making it an inclusive option for many.

Candidates

The ideal candidates for microneedling include anyone interested in improving the appearance, health, and texture of their skin. This treatment can be performed on all skin tones and types, making most individuals suitable candidates. All candidates interested in microneedling should be in good overall health with realistic expectations regarding what this treatment can achieve. Patients should also be nonsmokers or prepared to quit several weeks in advance, and until their skin has fully healed.

Individuals with active acne, herpes labialis, severe eczema, or psoriasis, as well as immunosuppressed patients, are not recommended for this treatment. (1) However, patients who are not eligible for microneedling are still encouraged to reach out to schedule a consultation so our team may find a suitable alternative.

Personal Consultation

The first step to clear and radiant skin is attending a personal consultation at our office in Santa Monica. During this consultation, Anne Lee will ask each patient about their medical history, current prescriptions, skin concerns, and ideal treatment outcomes. She will also evaluate the condition and quality of each individual’s facial skin. Using this information, she will put together a treatment plan, tailoring certain aspects to maximize benefits. She may also recommend additional skin treatments or products to further help each patient achieve their goals.

To schedule your personal consultation with Anne Lee, please submit our online contact form. To speak to a member of our team or schedule a consultation over the phone, please call (310) 829-4104.

Preparation

In preparation for their skin treatment, each patient will receive a set of preparatory guidelines from Anne Lee. These instructions are straightforward, but each patient’s instructions may vary depending on the concerns they want to remedy.

Patients may be advised to discontinue medications and supplements that contain blood-thinning properties. Smoking should be discontinued several weeks in advance, as nicotine can hinder each patient’s recovery. The use of harsh skincare products, such as chemical peels, retinoids, and exfoliants, should be avoided leading up to the procedure. On the day of the appointment itself, patients should arrive with a clean face, free of any makeup or skincare products.

Procedure

Upon arrival, the patient will be led to a private room where their skin will be cleansed and sanitized to remove any potential residue or oils. A topical anesthetic can be applied to the face to help minimize any discomfort.

Once each patient is comfortable, Anne Lee will use a microneedling device fashioned with tiny needles. The device will be passed over each patient’s skin to create tiny punctures. She will continue this motion until the punctures are even. (2) After this process, she will apply serums to the treated area to enhance each patient’s healing process and results. The entirety of the treatment is relatively quick, taking just 15 to 20 minutes to perform, though this varies depending on the scale of the procedure.

Recovery

Following their treatment, each patient will be able to return to their daily routines, as there is no downtime associated with microneedling. It is common for many patients to experience redness or mild swelling during their initial healing phase, but these effects are temporary and typically subside within 2 to 3 days.

As they heal, patients will need to avoid excessive sun exposure. They will also need to discontinue the use of harsh chemicals or skincare products for at least one week as their skin heals. Patients will each receive a set of more detailed recovery instructions during their consultation.

Results

Microneedling Anne Lee Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center

As the collagen levels continue to rise after treatment, patients will be able to notice gradual improvements in their skin. The appearance of acne scars, pigmentation issues, and other concerns will be reduced as mild signs of aging are softened. Patients will also be able to experience an overall improvement in the elasticity, health, and quality of their skin, as well as an improvement in the skin’s tone and texture. The full effects of each patient’s microneedling treatment can take between three to six months to manifest, with most patients benefitting from a series of regular microneedling treatments. (1) However, many patients can see significant improvements to their skin after just one treatment session.

Corresponding Procedures

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a type of cosmetic skin treatment that uses different chemical solutions to resurface the outer layer of skin to enhance its appearance. Chemical peels are often used to address skin concerns and imperfections, such as uneven texturing, discoloration, age spots, dullness, sun damage, and more. However, peels can also be used to soften and reduce visible signs of aging, such as fine lines or wrinkles. Chemical peels range in strength and pH level, each offering different benefits and stimulating different levels of cellular turnover.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing is a cosmetic treatment that utilizes precise laser technology to treat various skin concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, uneven skin texture, and scarring. Anne Lee can use either ablative or non-ablative lasers to help each patient improve their appearance.

  • Ablative Lasers: Ablative lasers remove the outermost layers of skin to eliminate any damaged or aged cells, stimulating the body’s natural healing response. Ablative laser procedures are more extensive and often require a slightly longer recovery, but this variation offers more effective results.
  • Non-Ablative Lasers: Non-ablative lasers do not remove the top layers of skin, but instead heat targeted areas of tissue to stimulate collagen synthesis. Non-ablative lasers are less invasive and therefore take less time to recover from in comparison to ablative lasers.

If you are interested in learning more about the other skin treatments and products we offer, please read our blog!

Cost of Microneedling in Santa Monica and Los Angeles

The cost of each microneedling treatment can vary, as each treatment is tailored to address each individual’s skin concerns. Anne Lee will discuss the cost of each patient’s microneedling once their treatment plan has been established. We offer only the most premium results for the most competitive prices.

To learn more about the cost of your microneedling treatment, please contact our practice online or call our office at (310) 829-4104.

FAQ

Is microneedling painful?

Most patients find the procedure very tolerable thanks to the topical anesthetic applied at the beginning of the treatment. Feelings can vary from mild pricking to more intense, depending on each individual’s pain tolerance.

How many microneedling sessions will I need?

Most patients notice improvements after just one session, but the most optimal results are often seen after three to six treatment sessions. Anne Lee will discuss your treatment plan with you during your consultation.

After my microneedling appointment, will I be able to wear makeup?

Patients are asked to avoid wearing makeup for at least 24-48 hours after their appointment to allow their skin to heal.

Are there any side effects to microneedling?

Besides redness and mild swelling, other complications are quite rare. Anne Lee can discuss the risks of microneedling with you during your consultation.

When will I be able to see the results of my microneedling treatment?

The results of your microneedling treatment can be seen approximately three to six months after the initial appointment, once your body’s collagen production and levels have increased.

Can microneedling be combined with another acne or skin treatment?

Yes, each patient is welcome to combine their treatment with another. To learn more about your available options, please discuss this with Anne Lee or reach out to another member of our team.

References

  1. Litchman G, Nair PA, Badri T, Kelly SE. Microneedling. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459344/
  2. Pająk J, Szepietowski JC, Nowicka D. Prevention of Ageing—The Role of Micro-Needling in Neck and Cleavage Rejuvenation: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(15):9055. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159055