Should brides-to-be undergo Dermapen microneedling?

Amid all the frenzy of wedding preparations, your skin requires undivided care and attention. After all, you’re the star of the show and it’s your very special day to shine. Among the many fairly new and effective skin treatments out there, microneedling with Dermapen is highly effective and addresses a host of common skincare issues such as fine lines, acne scars, pigmentation, and stretch marks. 

What is dermapen microneedling all about? 

Dermapen is an instrument with small needles in it. You can adjust the size of the needle from 0.25 mm to about 3 mm. The theory behind using this lies in the skin's natural response to injury. When our skin experiences injury, particularly in the deeper layers, a cell healing mechanism is activated. Collagen, which is essential for skin structure and elasticity, replicates as part of the healing process. This phenomenon is known as collagen remodeling. Dermapen utilises this mechanism by inducing controlled micro-injuries to stimulate collagen production and enhance the absorption of skincare products, leaving your skin smoother, firmer, and more radiant.

What are the pros and cons of getting Dermapen microneedling?  

Pros

Collagen remodeling: Dermapen promotes collagen remodeling, which can effectively improve skin texture, firmness, and overall rejuvenation. This involves simply stimulating new collagen production and tightening rearranging existing collagen fibers. By increasing production and making the collagen tighten or contract, the skin gradually looks more youthful. Collagen remodeling leads to permanent improvements, and is especially noticeable in acne scar treatment.

Versatility: Dermapen microneedling is effective for a variety of skin issues, including acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, signs of aging, and uneven skin texture. This treatment is generally safe with a lower risk of hyperpigmentation compared to other heat based resurfacing techniques. That said, the treatment shouldn’t be opted by those with active acne, skin conditions, or those who are pregnant.  

The depth of the needles can be adjusted based on the patient's specific skin concerns and the area being treated, allowing for a tailored approach and enhanced product absorption. The micro channels created by the needles allow for better penetration of topical skincare products, enhancing their effectiveness. Furthermore, the treatment allows for ample customisation as different serums can be used depending on the specific skin concern, allowing for tailored treatments.

Cons

Downtime requirement: Patients may experience mild redness, swelling, or dryness for two to four days following the procedure. Thus, it’s best recommended you get the treatment a week prior to your wedding. Sometimes, a series of treatments is usually necessary for better results. Thus, the process may get demanding in terms of time and patience. 

Risks involved: Too much of anything is bad, including Dermapen microneedling. Overuse of this treatment can damage the skin barrier, leading to complications. There are also chances of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially for darker skin tones, if adequate precautions like sun protection are not taken.

Microneedling can often lead to skin damage including bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching, and peeling. However, these are transitory and typically go away without any additional treatment after a few days or weeks.

As with any procedure that involves breaking the skin, there is a risk of bacterial infection if proper sterilisation and aftercare protocols are not followed. The procedure should be performed using aspetic precautions (a set of practices that protects patients from healthcare-associated infections and protects healthcare workers from contact with blood, body fluid, and body tissue) and by qualified dermatologists to ensure proper assessment and minimised risks. 

Inputs by Dr. Kashish Kalra, dermatologist, hair transplant surgeon, the founder of Dr. Kalra Skin Clinic and the head of department at Max Superspeciality Hospital, Dr. Chytra Anand, Dermatologist & Founder, SkinQ & Kosmoderma Clinics, and Dr Anup Dhir, Senior Consultant at Apollo Hospital and Ex-president of the Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons