The Power of Microchanneling: Your Go-To Collagen-Building Beauty Treatment
An aesthetician at a medical spa applying a skin rejuvenation serum before a patient’s microchanneling treatment.
Shortcuts
3. Microneedling Before And After
6. Microchanneling Before And After
7. Difference Between Microchanneling And Microneedling
8. Who Is a Candidate for Microchanneling?
9. Step-By-Step Process Of Microchanneling
10. The Benefits Of Microchanneling
11. Microchanneling Before And After Care
12. Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for a way to get healthy, gorgeous, and younger-looking skin? Us too! If you look online, you will be bombarded with a myriad of information about minimally-invasive or non-invasive skin rejuvenation procedures that are incredibly popular right now, such as microneedling, microchanneling, etc. However, not all of this information is reliable. The best way to find out which skin rejuvenation treatment is right for you is to book a consultation with an experienced medical aesthetician and let them determine the correct procedure for your skin type.
Microneedling and microchanneling fall under non-surgical skin treatments and are great treatments for getting younger-looking by restarting your body’s natural collagen-producing process. While microneedling is a well-known collagen induction therapy (CIT), microchanneling is a newer and improved treatment that is making quite the headlines regarding skin rejuvenation.
This article will discuss the difference between microneedling and microchanneling and help you get as much information as possible about both to help you pick the proper treatment for yourself. Let’s get started!
What Is Microneedling
Let’s first discuss collagen induction therapy, also known as microneedling. Dermatologists use microneedling to treat skin issues like acne, wrinkles, scarring, skin pigmentation, alopecia, etc. This treatment involves puncturing the skin with fine, sterilized, short needles to cause micro injuries. The tiny wounds will make your body produce increased elastin and collagen, healing your skin and making it plump and younger-looking.
How Microneedling Works
Wondering how microneedling works? Let’s find out! As mentioned above, the procedure involves puncturing the skin and causing tiny wounds. As a response, your body rushes to heal the skin by increasing the production of collagen and other healing substances, like elastin, in the body. Collagen is a protein responsible for keeping the skin younger-looking and giving it a firm and stretchy texture.
Collagen production decreases as you age, leading to signs of aging and wrinkles. You can also lose collagen due to injuries. These show in the form of stretch marks, acne scarring, etc.
Microneedling Before And After
If you suffer from skin issues like pigmentation, wrinkles, acne scarring, etc. microneedling is the best treatment for you. The procedure itself is safe and has minimal risks involved. The whole process takes around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the area you need to cover, and for the best microneedling before and after results, it is recommended to have multiple treatments, at least 4, spaced a month apart.
The number of treatments depends on what you are treating and your desired outcome. As stated above, there are minimal to no risks involved as long as you follow the aestheticians' aftercare routine. The results are immediate, but you will see its full effects after 6 weeks.
Check out these before and after images of a microneedling patient!
What Is Microchanneling
Now that we have covered microneedling, let's move on to the main topic, microchanneling, and how it is a new and improved version of microneedling for the face and even the body. Microchanneling is referred to as the next-generation procedure of microneedling. It is similar to microneedling in many ways. For instance, it is a non-invasive skin rejuvenation procedure that is used to increase the production of collagen and elastin in the body to make your skin younger-looking and plump.
In microchanneling, wire-based filaments are used to wound the outermost layer of dead skin. During the procedure, a stem cell-containing serum is fed through the channels into the skin to provide all the required nutrients to the cells and accelerate the repairing process to generate new skin cells quickly. It is a less abrasive and invasive process, thus considered superior to microneedling on the face.
How Microchanneling Works
Microchanneling is an effective skin rejuvenation procedure for stretch marks, acne scars, and injury wounds. The working principle is the same as microneedling, i.e., increasing the production of collagen, elastin, and other healing substances resulting in fresh and plump skin.
Collagen is a major component of skin and helps strengthen it, increase elasticity, and improve hydration. As your body ages, your collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and dry skin. Similarly, elastin is a critical skin protein that is highly elastic and present in connective tissues. It helps the skin regain its shape after stretching and recoiling.
Microchanneling Before And After
Microchanneling is preferred because it increases collagen production and communication between the skin cells more effectively. The addition of growth serum improves the healing process and reduces future signs of aging. The number of sessions depends on what skin issue you are treating. For instance, to alleviate early signs of aging, 1 to 2 treatments are normally required to achieve the desired results. While for acne scars, 4 to 6 treatments are normally required.
You will be able to see fast results with microchanneling. Continued maintenance is required for long-lasting effects. The procedure is safe and not painful in most cases. Everyone has a different pain tolerance and a different reaction to the treatment. Our receptionist describes the treatment as a light tickle, while other patients report mild discomfort.
Check out these amazing before and after images of a microchanneling patient!
Difference Between Microchanneling And Microneedling
Even though both treatments fall under the same category and have the same working principles, there are key differences between microneedling and microchanneling based on the device and technique used.
In microneedling, a handheld microneedle roller or derma roller is used to glide across the skin and cause tiny punctures. The dragging motion can cause microtears on the skin if not used properly, resulting in permanent damage.
In contrast, microchanneling involves using a stamp-like device to create consistent micro channels across the skin. How is this beneficial? It reduces discomfort, inflammation, and actual damage caused to the skin, resulting in less downtime. The typical downtime after a microchanneling treatment is only 60 to 90 minutes as opposed to 24 hours of recommended downtime for microneedling.
Another major difference is that microneedling devices are available for home use, too. Although we would never recommend doing it yourself without consulting a dermatologist, derma rollers or devices for homes have shorter, blunt needles that do not penetrate the skin. Thus, the process is not as uncomfortable as professional sessions. Additionally, derma rollers are less effective and have a limited response but are still beneficial in increasing blood flow in the skin.
Now that we have clarified the differences between microneedling and microchanneling, let's dig deeper into the topic and how microchanneling is your go-to collagen-building treatment.
Who Is a Candidate for Microchanneling?
Microchanneling treatments are minimally invasive and safe for all skin types and colors.
You are an ideal candidate for microchanneling if you have:
Hyperpigmentation
Sunspots
Aging
Wrinkles
Uneven skin texture
Traumatic scars or stretch marks
Acne scars
Hair loss
Moderate skin laxity
You are not a candidate for microchanneling if you:
Are pregnant or nursing
Have eczema or rash
Have an infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
Suffer from heart diseases
Have open wounds or keloid scars
Are allergic to stainless steel
Have an active inflammatory skin condition
Have diabetes or bleeding disorders
Step-By-Step Process Of Microchanneling
Microchanneling is a short, minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure that follows a 3-stage process. Let’s list the steps below.
Step 1
A stamp-like device with precision micro needles is punctured into the skin to create micro channels. A single stamp can create thousands of channels without any discomfort.
Step 2
In response to the micro-injury caused by the microchanneling device, the body stimulates the healing process by inducing an inflammatory reaction and increasing collagen and elastin production.
Step 3
You can expect to see immediate results after treatment, but more than two sessions or repeated sessions will help build new collagen quickly and improve the skin texture and hydration retention.
In microchanneling, a personalized infusion serum is created based on your skin-care goals and requirements. There are different serums
The procedure involves:
Optional numbing of the skin combined with mandatory cleaning and sterilizing.
Loading the customized infusion mix into the microchanneling device and applying the serum into the skin.
A single pass over the entire skin in an overlapping pattern and additional passes on problem areas.
The treatment can be applied to your entire face, including the lips and surrounding areas. The whole treatment takes 30 minutes max.
Benefits Of Microchanneling
Improved Skin Texture
Many people suffer from uneven skin texture, reduced elasticity, and redness. This can occur due to external factors throughout the skin or in specific patches. Through microchanneling, you can eliminate these issues by increasing the production of healing cells in the body. The combination of infusion serum accelerates the process and provides additional nutrients required to smooth your skin.
Increased Hydration
Microhanneling also increases the absorption power of the skin by 300%. Any topical serums or skincare products you use will penetrate deep into the skin and give a high concentration of growth factors and nutrients to reduce signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. This is one reason why we recommend the Exosome Microchanneling Facial. Since Exosomes contain 3 times as many growth factors as PRP, the combination of Exosomes with Microchanneling can make a huge impact on the youthfulness and overall appearance of your skin. More about this amazingly innovative Exosome treatment here.
Versatile Treatment
Microchanneling is a versatile treatment used to treat various skin issues like acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, alopecia, stretch marks, etc. Its application is not limited to the face only and can also be applied to the hands, neck, and other body parts.
Treat Scars
Acne scarring is a very common issue in people with sensitive skin. Microchanneling can work to reduce or eliminate scars completely after a few treatment sessions and improve your skin tone and texture. If you have active acne, make sure to consult with your medical aesthetician to see if this treatment is the best option for you.
Low Risk And Downtime
When done by a professional aesthetician, microchanneling has minimal to no risks. The patient can suffer from a bit of redness and puffiness at the start, which will mostly disappear in a few hours. Lower risks mean lower downtime.
Other benefits of microchanneling include reducing hair loss, minimizing stretch marks and keloid scars, and making your skin look younger and more beautiful.
Microchanneling Before And After Care
Since microchanneling is a cosmetic procedure, there are certain precautions you have to follow to ensure the treatment goes smoothly and you get the best results and minimal side effects. Below we have listed the microchanneling before and aftercare.
Before
Avoid using topical agents like exfoliates and antibiotics (such as retinol) that can increase skin sensitivity 6 to 7 days before the treatment.
Do not intake any alcohol or caffeine 2 days before the procedure.
Don’t get waxing done 1 week before the procedure.
Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications.
No tan or sunburned face.
After
Avoid prolonged sun exposure and direct sunlight for 2 weeks after the treatment. The skin is extremely sensitive for the first 24 hours, so avoid going out completely during this time.
Use freshly cleaned bed sheets and pillowcases after treatment (you should always be doing this regardless of your microchanneling treatment or not).
Do not use medicine or ice for inflammation. Let it simmer down slowly and naturally.
Use the moisturizers recommended by your professional aesthetician if you feel any discomfort.
Don’t apply sunscreen the following day.
All mild side effects like redness and puffiness should be gone after 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between microneedling and microchanneling?
Answer - The main difference between microneedling and microchanneling is the device and technique used. In microchanneling, a stamp-like device with uniform wire-based filaments is used to puncture the skin. It is less abrasive and more effective than microneedling. On the other hand, microneedling uses a handheld derma roller or device to glide across the skin and create micro channels.
How much does microchanneling cost?
Answer - The average price per session is $300 for the face and neck, and prices can vary based on additional treatments, what you are treating, and how many sessions you need. Typically, you need around 3 to 5 microchanneling sessions for the best results.
Does microchanneling help with hair loss?
Answer - In short, yes! Microchanneling can help with hair loss. Hair loss is a common problem caused by multiple factors such as mental health, environment, and genetics. Microchanneling has shown remarkable results in reducing hair loss and even eliminating it entirely by stimulating new hair growth. According to a study conducted in 2020, Microneedling using minoxidil accelerates the action on hair follicles due to direct inoculation into the skin. When you combine microchanneling with exosomes, the reduction in hair loss can be even more significant.
How long before I see results?
Answer - You can start seeing results within 24 hours of the treatment, but wait for 2 to 3 weeks for the treatment’s complete potential. It also depends on the severity of the skin issue and how many treatments you are getting. Generally, 3 to 5 treatments spaced 1 month apart are recommended for best results.
Is the procedure painful?
Answer - The treatment isn’t as painful as compared to microneedling. The finer and shorter needles are designed so that you barely feel the punctures. A numbing solution can also be applied to the area before the procedure begins, so the patient only feels light pressure.
What to avoid after treatment?
Answer - Avoid direct sunlight, sunblock, or any exercise 24 hours after the treatment.
Microchanneling And Microneedling Near Me
We hope this article can answer all your queries about microchanneling and help you understand the difference between microneedling and microchanneling so you can pick the best collagen treatment for yourself. Remember, it depends on your skin type and the skin issue you are trying to treat. Thus, it is essential to consult a professional aesthetician. If you live anywhere near Fort Lauderdale, your search for the best microneedling near me ends here.
At The Botox Lady, you can benefit from expert aestheticians, practitioners, and physician's assistants developing a personalized microchanneling infusion serum based on your skin issue and type to get you the best results possible. Feel free to give us a call and take advantage of our always-free consultations! We’re also here to help answer any questions you may have regarding microneedling, microchanneling, or any other treatments you may be interested in!
