The Facial You Need for Younger Looking Skin – Micro-needling with PRP

Good morning friends.  We are midweek already and headed for a holiday weekend.  Woohoo!!  Today I want to share info on a facial I recently experienced that is effective, highly advanced and has remarkable benefits.  Many people aren’t sure what it is, including myself – until I had the treatment at Anderson Medspa.  This is a facial that does more than leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. It has lasting effects, including helping your skin generate new collagen for smoother, firmer, more toned skin.  So here’s the deets on what micro-needling with PRP is, how it works, and the benefits of this facial.  I am throwing out a lot of information about this cosmetic procedure, so stay with me.

Micro-needling is a cosmetic procedure that uses fine needles to prick your skin.  It is used to treat and improve conditions like acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, pore size, and pigment issues.  The needles prick holes which create micro-injuries to the skin.  These micro-injuries stimulate the body’s natural collagen production.  This is key to a more youthful appearance, since collagen production tends to slow as we grow older.  When PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is added, it improves the effects of micro-needling and speeds the healing process.

PREPARING FOR TREATMENT

The first step in the process was to apply a topical numbing ointment to my entire face for approximately 45 minutes to ensure optimal numbing of the skin.  Once this has occurred, the next step was to draw blood.  A small vial of blood is drawn, and then placed into a centrifuge where it spins for a few minutes. The centrifuge is a vital part of this procedure because it activates your blood cells, causing them to separate and release growth factors. This part of your blood (platelet rich plasma) has growth factors, which are used for cosmetic purposes to trigger your body’s repair mechanisms for skin rejuvenation.

MICRO-NEEDLING PROCEDURE

Once my face was completely numb, Tamara, the esthetician removed the numbing cream and then applied the Hyaluronic Acid to the skin. She began the micro-needling procedure by moving the machine over my face in one to two-inch sections, ensuring she covered every inch of my complexion.  This procedure is safe to administer very near the eyes and mouth, which is where we often show signs of aging.  And thanks to the numbing cream, I barely felt anything.  #whew!  One important aspect is not only the micro-needling poking tiny holes in the dermal layer to activate the collagen in the skin, but the machine also uses radiofrequency.  Radiofrequency micro-needling tightens tissue, aids in collagen formation and improves skin texture.  It improves wrinkles and lessens scarring.  As you can tell, micro-needling, PRP and radiofrequency all work synergistically to make this a very effective treatment.

Once the micro-needling was complete, the next step was to apply the PRP or growth factors to my face.  Again, the micro-channels left open in the skin allow better absorption of the growth factors than without the micro-needling channels.  This initiates a localized stem cell response, as the growth factors bathe the cells to naturally stimulate the healing process.

PAIN/DISCOMFORT LEVEL

This was really a low pain procedure, which lasted approximately two hours, including the numbing process.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but honestly, the numbing cream fully did the job.  There were a few areas more sensitive than others.  But overall, it was a piece of cake.  After the procedure was complete, it felt like a mild sunburn on my face.

AFTER CARE

For ideal absorption of the PRP, I was instructed not to wash my face or apply anything to it for the next eight hours.  The only exception was a Skinceuticals mask I could apply after 4 hours to sooth irritation if needed.  For the next five days, I washed my face with Epionce gentle foaming cleanser and only applied Skinmedica HA5, which contains 5 different types of hyaluronic acid.  I also applied sunscreen in the morning to protect the skin.  Makeup can be applied 24 hours after the procedure.

BENEFITS:

Reduces broken capillaries and spider veins

Reduces the appearance of large pores

Reduces acne scars

Evens skin tone

Improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Gives the skin a firmer and smoother texture

Helps lighten sun spots

I hope I have shed some light on what micro-needling with PRP is and what it can do for your skin.  If you want a facial that has lasting effects, that will help your skin produce new collagen and elastin cells, and/or help correct problem areas like scars and sunspots — this facial is for you.  It’s an alternative to cosmetic surgery that is non-invasive and has no down time.  It’s no secret that I love facials and skin care, and this facial is so beneficial to your skin, I can’t recommend it enough.  It’s a great way to achieve more youthful, dewy looking skin, and I am all about anything that will make me look younger. #yesplease  I also can’t recommend Tamara and Anderson Plastics enough for top notch skin care and wonderful personal service.

 

Cheers to glowing skin.

 

Photos taken by Chey Lee Photography

 

Thank you to Anderson Plastics for gifting this treatment.  All opinions are my own.