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You Might Feel a Small Prick
The idea of “tiny needles” originated back in the 1970’s and, like most innovative cosmetic procedures, it didn’t start out as a cosmetic procedure.
Your skin was designed to keep the outside environment out. If you tried to apply some kind of agent, like a drug, to your skin, the chances were that the molecules in the drug would simply be too large to penetrate the pores of your skin. If, however, there was some way to create tiny channels in the outermost layer of the skin, then transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents was possible.
This was the introduction of “microneedles.”
When most people hear that word, they immediately visualize hundreds of miniature hypodermic needles. (I know I did.) If you could actually see them (which you can’t) they would look more like cute little cones. The tips of these cones can penetrate the skin, but can’t reach deep enough to stimulate the painful nerves below.
History of Microneedling
Painless, localized delivery of specific drugs was a win-win, and before long the procedure evolved even further. Transdermal applications were great, but what about other sites? Gastrointestinal, ocular, and vascular sites were increasingly benefitting from this delivery system, without the drawbacks of a wider, systemic exposure, (and the potential toxicity.)
Microfabrication technology evolved over the decades, and now these microneedles (MN’s) can be produced in a range of different materials. Silicon, stainless steel, titanium, glass and aluminum have all been used, but now it’s also possible to create MNs from the actual material you want absorbed directly into the skin. Polymers can be delivered via these microarrays, and then slowly break down once inside the body.
There are also hollow, and hydrogel microneedles, that can diagnose and monitor certain diseases like cataracts, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s, and if you suffer with trypanophobia (a fear of needles) then MNs are your new friend.
Of course, any time you start playing around with a new kind of “skin-related-device,” you’re eventually going to learn what it can do for the epidermis itself.
Skin Health Benefits of Microneedling
Studies have shown that microneedles, when applied to scars, can gradually heal the scar tissue. Not only that, it was found that the penetration of the stratum corneum (the top-most layer of your skin) with microneedles stimulated a wound healing response, including the production of collagen and elastin in the dermis. When we prompt our natural regeneration capabilities, then microneedling can be used to treat scars, wrinkles, pigmentation disorders, and it can even effectively promote hair growth in alopecia patients.
As always, I like to know the history of any technology I employ in my clinic. In this case, it’s good to know that the safety record and history of microneedling was established long before beauty influencers started promoting it for their glowing skin.
So don’t let the name put you off. You can gain a huge array of therapeutic and cosmetic benefits while being jabbed with microneedles, but you’ll never feel the prick!