The Dermatology Center for Skin Health, PLLC, is debuting a new, updated micro-needling tool called the SkinPen®. The SkinPen®, developed by Bellus Medical, is a micro-needling procedure that promotes skin rejuvenation, effectively treating fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars. Read more about the benefits of the SkinPen® micro-needling tool.
What is micro-needling?
Micro-needling is the use of tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries to the skin to aid in the promotion of the natural skin healing process, which supports the production of collagen and elastin. As the skin repairs itself, it results in a thicker epidermis, creating a softer appearance to the affected area.
What is the SkinPen® by Bellus Medical?
The SkinPen® is the only micro-needling tool to receive a De Novo clearance as a Class II medical device by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The De Novo process is a risk-based classification process that provides a route to classify novel medical devices, like the SkinPen®. This classification provides reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness for a device that has no marketed predicate device.
The SkinPen® offers a minimally invasive, non-ablative option for rejuvenating the skin. This micro-needling tool utilizes needles that penetrate the skin at a 90-degree angle, creating hundreds of small, vertical routes to the dermis so that your skin’s natural healing factor is triggered.
Additionally, Bellus Medical also paired the SkinPen® with a topical gel called SkinFuse Lift HG, which is used to lubricate and hydrate the skin before and after the procedure. The SkinPen® and the topical products used optimizes the results of this procedure for 90 days or more.
Who should and should not use the SkinPen®
The SkinPen® can be used for any skin type for anyone aged 22 and up. Individuals who should not use the SkinPen® include anyone with:
- active skin cancer in the affected areas
- open wounds, sores or irritated skin in the affected area
- an allergy to stainless steel
- a bleeding disorder or dysfunction
Individuals who are pregnant or nursing or are currently taking with Isotretinoin (Accutane) should not use the SkinPen®.
Before, during, and after the SkinPen® procedure
Depending on the size and area that is affected, your provider may recommend a series of three treatments that are spaced four to six weeks apart. Typically, the SkinPen® is used on the face; however, the neck and chest areas can also be treated.
To optimize the results of the procedure, your provider will give you instructions for before, during, and after the treatment. It is essential that you follow these instructions so that you can receive the optimal results you have discussed with your provider before your procedure.
Before the procedure, your provider will ask you to:
- Avoid sun exposure that could cause burns for 24 hours before the procedure.
- Stop using topical retinoids for 24 hours prior to the procedure.
- Avoid being treated for active breakouts or open lesions.
Your provider will also ask that you allow a 24-hour gap between any autoimmune therapies you receive and the SkinPen® treatment. If you take isotretinoin (Accutane), we recommend waiting six months before scheduling your SkinPen® treatment.
For individuals who are on the Fitzpatrick scale IV-VI, please note that pigment in the skin may darken prior to lightning.
During the procedure, your provider will require you to complete a consent form and they’ll ask to take pictures of the area prior to treatment. During this 30-minutes procedure, your provider will:
- Apply a numbing agent to the area being treated. This area will not be touched for 30 minutes, allowing it to set.
- Cleanse your face to remove makeup or debris, sunscreen, oils and any of the excess numbing agent.
- Wipe your face with alcohol after the cleanser.
- After the 30 minutes, your provider will apply a thin layer of SkinFuse Lift HG to protect your skin from any abrasions or friction that may be caused during treatment.
- Start treatment on the affected area.
After the procedure, your provider will wipe the treated area with a saline solution. They will apply a more generous layer of SkinFuse Lift HG and provide you will a gel formula called SkinFuse Rescue to apply to your skin one day after the treatment. It’s important that you also maintain hydration so that your skin can recoup any water that was lost during the treatment.
After the procedure, you may notice that your skin appears slightly pink to red. This is normal. Additionally, you may experience the following normal symptoms:
- Dry or rough skin
- Tightness
- Redness
- Peeling
- Discomfort
- Tenderness
- Burning
These symptoms resolve over time, without any complications.
The Dermatology for Skin Health, PLLC | Micro-Needling | SkinPen® Procedure
At the Dermatology Center for Skin Health, PLLC, we are dedicated to finding the most up-to-date education and tools to treat our patients. That is why we are debuting the Bellus Medical SkinPen®, which is the only FDA micro-needling tool on the market and has a 90 percent clinical trial satisfaction rate.
If you have questions about this new tool for micro-needling or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our staff, please give us a call at (304) 598-3888.
