Microneedling (also known as mesotherapy) is the latest beauty trend that stars such as Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow swear by. Originally from America, more and more beauty salons in this country are now offering this beauty treatment. Experienced practitioners can also carry out microneedling themselves at home. It is said to be effective against wrinkles, scars, pigmentation marks and stretch marks and makes the skin look significantly younger, fresher and more radiant after just a few treatments.
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1. how does microneedling work?
Microneedling involves treating the top layer of facial skin, the epidermis, with a dermaroller or microneedling pen, which is fitted with very fine needles. This "injures" the skin with minimal, fine pricks and stimulates it to regenerate. This also triggers the increased release of the body's own hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin, which are intended to repair irritated skin. Collagen strengthens the connective tissue, elastin provides new elasticity and hyaluronic acid improves moisture retention. This interaction is said to make a wide variety of skin problems (wrinkles, pigmentation spots, stretch marks, scars and crow's feet) disappear after just a few treatments.
Another nice side effect: the skin treated in this way becomes more receptive to the effects of skin care products. Active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins can be infiltrated into the skin particularly effectively in order to develop their effect directly in the deeper layers of the skin. Serums have proven to be particularly successful here. It is important that the products are free from polyethylene glycol (PEG), silicones, colorants, parabens and mineral oils - such as the serums from Casida®, which are also used in beauty salons. The retinol serum has the highest concentration of 1 percent retinol permitted in Germany and does not shy away from comparison with serums from luxury brands, which can easily cost around 400 euros!
2 Who does microneedling?
Ideally, women should have a microneedling treatment carried out in a beauty salon or by a dermatologist. Although there are also dermarollers for home use, women should be aware of the possible risks and side effects. At the dermatologist, the skin is first prepared with an anesthetic ointment before the dermaroller or pen is used so that the pain caused by the mini needles is kept to a minimum. This usually does the trick.
The subsequent treatment usually takes half an hour. The facial skin is slowly and carefully "rolled" with the dermaroller, during which you will only feel a slight vibration, but in particularly sensitive areas you may also feel slight pain - depending on the length of the mini-needles.
After the treatment, the face is cleansed and a soothing mask is applied. This is followed by a healing care cream. Immediately after the treatment, the face does not look so good at first because the skin is irritated and reddened. However, this effect disappears after a few days. However, to really see and feel the positive results, it can take a few weeks and often several treatments are necessary. For anti-ageing treatments, it is assumed that around six treatment sessions are required, which should be carried out at intervals of around two weeks.
3. what does microneedling cost?
Microneedling is not an inexpensive "pleasure": The costs vary, depending on the offer, between 200 and 400 euros per session, with some beauticians offering package prices. In total, six treatments cost just over 1000 euros. Anyone interested should therefore inform themselves well in advance and then decide on a good price in a trustworthy beauty salon of their choice.
4 Microneedling at home - what should I bear in mind?
Women can also do microneedling themselves at home. The dermarollers required for this can be purchased, but have significantly shorter needles (0.2 to 0.5 mm) than in a beauty salon. This means that the active ingredients do not penetrate quite as deeply into the skin. The procedure is similar to that in a beauty salon: the first step is to thoroughly cleanse the face with a mild, pH-neutral cleanser. Preparation also includes disinfecting the dermaroller. Make sure that no hair falls onto your face during the treatment.
Now you can get started. In the 2nd step , apply the desired serum, e.g. hyaluronic serum or retinol serum from Casida onto the face. Now roll the dermaroller with even pressure over the forehead, cheeks, chin and nose. Always roll vertically, horizontally and then diagonally back and forth a few times. Finally, roll over the neck and décolleté in the same way.
Step 3: After microneedling, a soothing moisturizer should be applied to the face, neck and décolleté. After use, rinse the dermaroller under running water, then disinfect again and allow to dry thoroughly.
If you do microneedling at home, it is best to do it in the evening so that your skin can regenerate overnight and have time to recover before you apply other skincare products or make-up.
The advantage of doing microneedling at home is certainly the price: the cost of the home kit is around 20 euros for the dermaroller and another 20 to 40 euros for the serum. DIY is therefore much cheaper here. However, it is also not suitable for the completely inexperienced: The dermaroller must be sufficiently and thoroughly disinfected, otherwise painful inflammation and/or infections could result. The correct application and optimum rolling pressure also need to be learned. If it is too firm, it hurts quickly, if it is too light, it is of little to no use. Beauty has its price here too.
Inexperienced amateurs should actually talk to a professional about the risks and side effects beforehand. Microneedling should never be carried out on open wounds or acute inflammation of the skin such as herpes, couperose or acne.
Lea Becker (freelance journalist for health and beauty)
Important note / disclaimer: As pharmacists, we share our pharmaceutical expertise and wealth of naturopathic experience in the Casida guide. An individual diagnosis and consultation is necessary in every case. Therefore, this offer cannot replace medical advice. It is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for medication or other treatments prescribed by a doctor.
