Incredible MarketingMicroneedling has become an increasingly popular treatment option for those seeking safe, comfortable and effective skin rejuvenation. A minimally invasive and versatile procedure that works with the skin’s natural healing processes, microneedling is suitable for patients of all ages and skin types and can help to treat various skin concerns and conditions.
At California Dermatology Care, we have introduced three revolutionary microneedling treatments as part of our mission to deliver excellence in dermatology and skin restoration: Agnes, PRP and Infini Genius. But to fully understand how these treatments are so cutting-edge, you first need to understand the basics of microneedling.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a safe and comfortable treatment that uses ultrafine needles to repeatedly puncture the skin. This process creates tiny controlled injuries or ‘micro-channels’ in the skin that trigger the body’s natural wound-healing process. The body then flushes the skin with essential nutrients to heal the perceived wounds, causing collagen and elastin production to increase. This process works to replace the damaged tissue with newer and healthier tissue, leaving your face clearer and more radiant.
Microneedling treatments are quick and require no downtime. The procedure is performed to smoothen facial imperfections, remove blemishes, and produce a clearer and even skin tone and texture. Over time, ongoing sessions can help lift sagging skin and create a more youthful facial structure while also reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, scarring, sun damage, large pores and discoloration.
Why Do We Need Microneedling??
There are a lot of factors that have negative impacts on our physical appearance. The most prominent — and also the most difficult to tackle — is the natural aging process. It is estimated that by the age of 20, your body will lose 1% of its collagen production every year. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in our bodies, and it is also the primary substance responsible for keeping our skin youthful and taut.
Other than having a treatment like microneedling performed, there is essentially no way to combat this protein loss. Other factors are environmental, such as sunlight and free radicals. While sunlight is notorious for the damage it can cause to the skin, its long-term effects are often overlooked. People who have excessive sun exposure for long periods often experience tough and leathery skin. Free radicals take another hit at our protein production.
Different environmental pollutants and lifestyle decisions can cause more topical blemishing like acne. While acne is a much more common condition to have, it is equally as frustrating as any other facial blemishing. In some cases, because of how difficult it is to deal with and how big of an impact it has on your appearance, it may even be worse.
We need microneedling to combat these conditions because, frankly, there are not many options that are as reliable and effective.
How Much Does Microneedling Cost?
Microneedling costs between $400 and $1,000 per session, depending on the amount of correction performed, any PRP usage, and your aesthetic goals. A quote for microneedling with RF such as Agnes or Infini Genius (information below) can be provided at the time of consultation after clinical assessment.
While this is a reliable ballpark estimate, you will be given more precise information during your initial consultation. Please keep in mind that while many “budget” locations claim to offer similar results for a fraction of the cost, they likely do not have the same level of training or experience under their belt, which means you are taking a gamble with their treatment. Many patients come in after finding a “deal” on their microneedling who did not get the results they were hoping to achieve.
Am I a Candidate for Microneedling?
If you suffer from any of the conditions listed below and would like to improve your aesthetic appearance, you are likely a good candidate for microneedling treatment. In very rare cases, a preexisting condition or skin type may prevent you from being a good fit. If that is the case, we will work with you during your consultation to determine a better alternative route to meet your goals.
We highly recommend that everyone considering microneedling treatment reads, listens or watches a lot of content about the procedures to know precisely what to expect from your results. If your expectations are unrealistic, you are setting yourself up to be disappointed by a procedure considered successful by all marks. You may even be missing out on the opportunity to enjoy impactful improvements to your appearance.
Preparing for Microneedling
Microneedling procedures are minimally invasive and highly safe. Since no surgery is required, there is no lengthy number of tests or preparations you will need to complete before the day of your procedure. Although we do ask that our patients refrain from having too much sun exposure immediately before or after your microneedling is complete. This will help protect your skin and avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort during the procedure itself.
Microneedling Procedure
After you arrive in the procedure room, your face will be thoroughly cleansed. In some cases, you may receive a topical numbing agent to help provide maximum comfort during the procedure. The use of the numbing cream will be discussed during your consultation. Then, the microneedling device will be moved along your face into the targeted area. This entire process takes less than an hour in most cases, making it perfect for anyone with a busy or demanding schedule. Once the device has been thoroughly applied to the face, you will once again have your face cleansed. After that, your procedure is complete, and you can resume your normal activities.
Results of Microneedling
For those treating deep wrinkles and lines, improvements will begin to appear after one to two weeks, when the area has mostly recovered. For the treatment of acne or syringoma, you should see improvements two to three weeks following the procedure. However, since microneedling works to restore the dermal structure, optimal results will develop over the coming months as collagen production continues and the body remodels the underlying tissue and facial structure. For those seeking to remove under-eye bags, it will take two to six months for the body to remove the targeted fat cells.
While some patients see dramatic improvements to the skin after one treatment, you may require two or three sessions to achieve the best result and maintain your desired look. In the case of active acne, we generally recommend further treatments three to six months after the initial procedure. The results of microneedling will vary for each patient, depending on your skin type and initial condition. Many patients have reported remarkable and long-lasting improvements to their skin due to microneedling.
View Microneedling Before and After Gallery
Agnes
The Agnes device provides a highly advanced rejuvenation treatment for those seeking to enhance their complexion and restore their facial structure. Based on precise and controlled waves of radiofrequency energy, Agnes targets the skin to specific depths without harming the epidermal layer. By delivering heat deep below the skin surface and within the dermal structure, Agnes works to stimulate collagen production and rebuild the skin’s underlying support system. Microneedling with Agnes radiofrequency has demonstrated dramatic results for patients of all ages and skin types, helping to lift and tighten loose skin while simultaneously correcting surface conditions and smoothening skin tone and texture.
At California Dermatology Care, we perform Agnes treatments to help patients rebuild healthier, more radiant skin. We begin the procedure by gently cleansing the skin before applying a numbing cream to prevent any discomfort during treatment. We then insert the tiny Agnes micro-needle into the targeted areas, which stimulates the restoration process and encourages the skin to repair and remodel. Since the needle targets the skin at deeper levels, the treatment areas may be marked and numbed with anesthetic, particularly for under-eye bags or the chin area. The micro-needle is also insulated to protect the surface skin and prevent damage to surrounding tissue, allowing for faster recovery and more effective results.
The Agnes Difference
Agnes is an innovative, cutting-edge device that uses a single or three-pin needle to deliver more potent, more targeted energy than traditional forms of microneedling. This means that unlike most microneedling procedures, the Agnes device can be used on patients suffering from active acne. The precise delivery of radiofrequency energy works by destroying the oil-producing glands to reduce the appearance of existing scars and prevent future outbreaks. While acne can typically be challenging to treat, Agnes provides a safe and long-lasting alternative to topical creams and oral medications that often prove to be ineffective.
What Can Agnes Treat?
The Agnes device uses adaptable technology that can be tailored to the needs, concerns and skin type of each patient. At California Dermatology Care, our skincare experts customize each procedure by adjusting the depth of treatment and the precise placement of RF energy. Conditions that we can treat with Agnes include:
- Sebaceous Hyperplasia
- Syringoma
- Fordyce spots
- Acne
- Overly large pores
- Under-eye bags
- Double chin (jawline and jowls)
- Small area fat reduction (coming soon!)
- Neck and body contouring (coming soon!)
While many microneedling treatments are focused purely on restoring the skin, Agnes can not only rejuvenate your complexion but also re-contour areas of the face. As age takes its toll on skin laxity, the face tends to lose its youthful volume and definition, particularly around the chin and jawline.
Additionally, wrinkles and under-eye bags can lead to an aged, worn or fatigued appearance, and are often difficult to treat without surgery. The Agnes device offers a non-surgical, minimally invasive method for reducing signs of age and re-sculpting sunken or sagging features. Due to its advanced versatility, the Agnes device can not only dramatically revitalize the skin but also restore definition to the facial structure.
PRP
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, a compound that is used to greatly improve the results of your microneedling treatment. It is created from your own blood prior to the start of the microneedling treatment. It begins with a simple blood draw, the contents of which will be taken to a medical device known as a centrifuge. This tool will spin the blood rapidly, separating the different components.
The PRP Difference
The final solution will be a mixture of highly concentrated growth factors and proteins that can be easily absorbed by the microwounds in the face caused by the needles. This absorption dramatically increases the results of your microneedling by providing more of the essential nutrients it needs to self-correct.
Patients often report their results with PRP are much more noticeable than microneedling alone. While PRP is relatively new to cosmetics, it has been used for injuries for many years. The technology continues to grow as well, with recent trends like PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) becoming increasingly popular.
What Can PRP Treat?
The concentrated PRP can help improve anything that microneedling would typically hope to improve, but it is also particularly well suited for:
- Scar correction
- Acne
- Facial rejuvenation
Infini Genius
Infini Genius also utilizes the power of RF energy through an innovative, proprietary and state-of-the-art device. It has been optimized for safety and treatment protocols through thousands of clinical studies, eliminating any guesswork that comes along with cosmetic treatments. But the exciting part about Infiini Genius treatment here at California Dermatology Care is that it also includes the use of PRP. This double punch of RF energy and PRP compounds provides nearly unrivaled results in the cosmetic industry.
The Infini Genius Difference
Microneedling alone can provide a host of cosmetic benefits to a wide array of patients. But by combining both PRP and RF energy protocols into the treatment session, you can walk away with results that you would likely never achieve through microneedling on its own. You no longer have to decide between these two revolutionary technologies, putting better results in the palms of your hands.
What Can Infini Genius Treat?
The Infini Genius can provide any of the results from standard microneedling, PRP or Agnes treatment, but it is particularly effective at correcting:
- Unwanted scarring
- Facial aging
Diverse Microneedling Treatment at California Dermatology Care
At California Dermatology Care, our team of board-certified dermatologists are committed to delivering exceptional service and building healthy results, serving patients at three convenient locations across the Bay area. If you would like to learn more or experience the benefits of this revolutionary treatment, schedule a consultation by texting us at 925-328-0255. Get in touch with our clinics today to find out how our skincare experts can help you achieve healthier, nourished skin.
*Patient education matters to us. The information on this page has been reviewed by the board-certified dermatologists of California Dermatology Care. If you have any questions about our procedures or treatments, please contact us today.
View Before & After Photos