A: Micro-needling vs. Fractional Lasers
Micro-needling treatments are one example of what is known as “fractional rejuvenation”, a term that gets its name from fractional lasers, the technology closest to micro-needling in theory and results. Fractional lasers use heat to systematically ablate “fractions” of the skin’s surface, while leaving surrounding areas in tact, essentially “drilling holes” in the skin to produce a wound healing response. The unaffected tissue around the holes acts as a reservoir for fibroblasts and stem cells needed for regeneration of affected segments. Fractional radio frequency devices work on a similar principle and have many of the same side effects as fractional lasers.
Micro-needling mode of action limits the occurrence of side effects specific to fractional lasers, such as:
. Pain; higher in dark skinned patients
. Persistent erythema
. Infections (viral and bacterial)
. Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation and hypo-pigmentation
Micro-needling can be used on all skin types. Light based therapy needs to take the clients skin type into consideration. Therefore, the micro-needling can be used on everyone!
The Micro-needling vs. Dermal Rollers
A dermal roller consists of a rolling pin covered with tiny needles. During a derma roller treatment, the roller is rolled across the skin, leaving behind a trail of microscopic punctures. While the needle roller is effective, the rolling action of the device pushes the skin into mounds, and causes the needles to enter AND exit the skin at an angle, creating lateral epidermal tears. The tearing is NOT due to the needles not being “properly anchored” in the skin, but the simple mechanics of angular needle entry. While not detrimental to the results, this makes the treatment much more painful, and often causes a longer downtime for the patient. You also cannot perform as many micro-punctures per second as you can with micro-needling making, micro-needling more effective.