Michele S. Green M.D., FAAD., is a Board-Certified Cosmetic Dermatologist, Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and has been an international leader in cosmetic dermatology for over 25 years. Upper East Side patients and those around the globe flock to her practice for cosmetic dermatology treatment. A graduate from Yale University, with an MD and Chief residency from The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NYC, Dr. Green treats some of the most discerning, demanding women and men in the world, with issues ranging from premature skin aging to hyperpigmentation, rosacea, wrinkles, acne, skin laxity, hair loss, and sun damage.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Michele Green
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a popular non-invasive cosmetic treatment that can effectively reduce the appearance of various skin concerns like acne scars, fine lines, large pores, and stretch marks. Dr. Michele Green, based in New York City, offers microneedling treatments to her patients.
During a microneedling session, a handheld device containing small needles is used to create tiny punctures or micro-injuries on the skin's surface. This process stimulates the skin's natural healing response and triggers the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for healthy and youthful-looking skin.
Collagen and elastin are proteins that provide structure, elasticity, and firmness to the skin. As we age, the production of these proteins slows down, leading to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. By promoting collagen and elastin production, microneedling can help improve skin texture, tone, and firmness, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Who’s a candidate for Microneedling?
Microneedling is a versatile cosmetic treatment suitable for individuals of all skin tones and types, including those with sensitive skin. Patients who are in good health and do not have any active skin infections, acne breakouts, or herpetic lesions are good candidates for microneedling, microneedling with PRP, or RF microneedling.
However, individuals with a history of keloid scars, eczema, or psoriasis should be cautious and consult with a board-certified dermatologist, like Dr. Green, before undergoing microneedling treatment. These conditions can increase the risk of adverse reactions or complications from the procedure.
During a consultation, Dr. Green will evaluate the patient's skin condition and medical history to determine if microneedling is a suitable option for them. If microneedling is recommended, Dr. Green will discuss the treatment process, expected results, and any potential risks or side effects.
What are the Benefits of Microneedling?
- Diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Minimize the look of skin discoloration, hyperpigmentation, melasma, dark spots, and sun spots, as well as providing an overall brightening effect and boosting skin radiance
- Improve overall skin tone and texture
- Greatly reduce the appearance of acne scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation associated with resolved acne breakouts
- Tighten skin and improve skin elasticity to achieve a more youthful overall appearance
- Improve the appearance of stretch marks on the body
- Reduce the look of large pores to create a smoother appearance
- Combined with radiofrequency laser treatment to target additional layers of skin beneath the epidermis, maximizing the cosmetic results achieved through a single treatment session
- Combined with Platelet Rich Plasma, PRP, to take advantage of epidermal growth factors enhancing the healing process and boosting collagen and elastin production within the skin
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Michele Green
What is PRP Microneedling?
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a serum that is applied to the skin after creating micro-channels with a microneedling device. PRP is collected by taking a sample of the patient’s own blood, spinning it in the centrifuge to separate the plasma from the red blood, and drawing up the plasma into sterile syringes for application. The growth factors in the plasma contribute to improving the results observed from a microneedling treatment. This innovative facial treatment can be used to improve the appearance of acne scars, sun spots, fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, surgical scars, hyperpigmentation, large pores, and more, making it a powerful non-invasive cosmetic treatment option for patients looking for total skin rejuvenation.
Before the procedure, a numbing cream is applied to the treatment area. During the treatment, a handheld device creates micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen production, and then PRP is applied topically. The process takes about 30 minutes. Aftercare instructions will be provided by Dr. Green, and patients should avoid cleansing their skin until the next day. Over the course of the next few weeks, your skin’s appearance will continue to improve as new collagen forms. During this time, Dr. Green recommends using a daily broad spectrum, SPF 50 sunscreen, as skin will be very sensitive to the sun during the wound healing process post-treatment.
After treatment, it can be expected that skin will feel taught and firm. It is recommended that patients do not cleanse their skin until the next day after their treatment session in order to guarantee maximum absorption of the PRP treatment. When you have a PRP microneedling treatment with Dr. Green, she will provide you with specific aftercare instructions in order to achieve and maintain ideal cosmetic results. Over the course of the next few weeks, your skin’s appearance will continue to improve as new collagen forms.
What is RF Microneedling?
Microneedling with radiofrequency is a combination treatment that maximizes the wound healing benefits of microneedling with the boosted collagen and elastin production of RF energy. In RF microneedling, the traditional microneedling procedure is combined with the use of RF energy, which is able to heat deeper layers of the dermis within the treatment area.
This innovative combination treatment is FDA-approved to tighten skin, improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation and scarring, and reduce signs of aging on the skin, such as fine lines and wrinkles. As it relies on the body’s own healing properties and growth factors, it’s an excellent alternative to more invasive treatments that require significant downtime and recovery. The treatment is delivered by a single handpiece that administers both microneedling and RF energy treatment. After your initial RF microneedling treatment, the improvement in your skin will be apparent in just a few days. Dr. Green typically recommends 4-6 treatments for optimal results and the best skin rejuvenation. In addition, strict sun avoidance and good skin care is essential to having the best cosmetic results from RF Microneedling.
What is Microneedling Treatment for Acne Scars?
When patients ask “is microneedling good for acne scars,” the answer is yes! Microneedling is often used as an anti-aging skin care treatment but can also be used to help treat certain acne scarring issues.
This treatment modality ultimately relies on controlled trauma through the use of fine needles that are pressed into the skin. These needles penetrate through the epidermis of the skin and in turn stimulate the natural healing process of the skin. In this way, the body is able to produce new collagen and elastin in the body, reducing the appearance of textural irregularities like scars and lines on the skin.
There are several different types of acne scars, including boxcar, rolling, and icepick scars. With acne scarring, as with other dermatologic skin conditions, the specific type of scar will determine the best treatment. Atrophic acne scars are scars that take the form of depressions or dents in the skin. This type of acne scar results from a loss of collagen within the skin itself. Therefore, to treat this kind of acne scar, we turn to methods to replace this lost collagen. Microneedling is one of the best methods that Dr. Green recommends for this type of acne scarring.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Michele Green
What is Microneedling for under-eye wrinkles, dark circles, or eye bags?
We’ve all woken up after a restless night to discover a pair of dark under-eye circles or puffy eye bags that even our favorite concealer can’t quite cover. Getting some proper rest should usually resolve the problem, but when the eye bags and dark circles stick around, what’s the next step? Microneedling for under-eye wrinkles, dark circles, or eye bags can be an effective treatment. To treat the delicate and sensitive skin around the under eyes, Dr. Green performs treatment at a more shallow depth than what is typically used for the rest of the face. The microneedling treatment stimulates collagen production which allows the thin skin of the under-eye area to thicken, reducing the visibility of blood vessels and minimizing the appearance of dark under eyes.
What is Vivace Mirconeedling?
Vivace Microneedling is an FDA-cleared cosmetic procedure that combines microneedling and radio frequency (RF) energy to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the deeper layers of the skin. This treatment can help improve skin texture and tone, minimize pore size, treat fine lines, and reduce the appearance of acne scarring or stretch marks.
Microneedling involves creating hundreds of micro-punctures on the skin to stimulate collagen production, while RF energy penetrates deeper layers of the skin to further enhance collagen production. When used together, these two techniques can provide superior, natural-looking results compared to using either technique alone.
One of the key advantages of Vivace Microneedling is that it is safe for patients of all skin types and skin tones, making it a versatile treatment option. Additionally, this minimally invasive procedure offers a comfortable patient experience and virtually zero downtime, allowing individuals to quickly achieve skin rejuvenation results without having to take time off from their daily activities. Overall, Vivace Microneedling is an effective and convenient option for those looking to reverse the visible signs of aging and achieve a more youthful, radiant complexion.
How Can You Get Started with Microneedling Today?
If you are seeking microneedling treatment, Dr. Green in NYC can help. Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board certified cosmetic dermatologist and is known to be one of the best Botox injectors in New York. Dr. Green has been consistently voted as one of the “Best Doctors” by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, Super Doctors, and The New York Times as a pioneer in the field of cosmetic and medical dermatology. Please call the office today at 212-535-3088 or contact us online to schedule a consultation to discuss if you are bothered by acne scars, fine lines, large pores, and stretch marks. It's time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green in New York.
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