We're only five months into the 2024 season, but in the past five months we've seen a ton of crazy trends promising clear, glowing skin. Just when you think we've seen it all, from eating raw garlic to treating acne with microcurrent, a new (and a bit more extreme) trend hits the shelves.
Now, if you're wondering what could be even scarier than the ones listed above, we have another beauty tool for you. a bit Even scarier is the treatment known as microneedling, which involves poking the skin with microneedles to create tiny holes on the surface.
What is Microneedling?
If you're into beauty, you may have heard of microneedling, a technique that's been all the rage in the beauty industry for a while now, with many celebrities from Bollywood to Hollywood favoring it as a way to achieve glowing skin.
But what is it?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses thin needles to create hundreds of tiny, invisible puncture wounds in the top layer of skin.
Don't get me wrong, this treatment was pioneered in 1995 by Dr. Desmond Fernandez of Philadelphia to treat wrinkles and scars with needles, and it's said to be effective.
But recently, there's been a steady rise in people making their own DIY microneedling sets at home, which experts say could have disastrous effects on your face if not used correctly.
These microneedling kits and derma rollers (Another device that serves the same purpose) have become a hot topic on social media, with many companies selling these products promising glowing skin at home.
How does microneedling work?
- You might get this treatment at a salon, where a hairdresser or aesthetician uses microneedles or needles to create tiny scratches on your face, stimulating your body's natural wound-healing process.
- Your body responds to these micro-injuries by producing new collagen and elastin, proteins that help keep skin firm and smooth.
- Dr Andrea Rachel Castelino, consultant dermatologist at DermaZeal Clinic, Bengaluru, says at-home DIY kits and dermarollers, which are readily available on Amazon, Flipkart and other e-commerce platforms, also work on the same principle.
- She explains that these devices have tiny needles that penetrate the epidermis of the skin and stimulate the production of new collagen.
- There are two devices available online that allow you to perform microneedling at home: microneedling pens and dermarollers. However, there are some differences between them.
- “The treatment is very effective and the results are amazing,” says Dr Akanksha Singh Kornuit, cosmetic physician and founder of Promed Aesthetics, Bangalore. India Today Microneedling kits and derma rollers are both tools used for microneedling.
“The main difference lies in the design and mechanism. A microneedling kit typically includes a handheld device with replaceable needle cartridges, offering more customized precision compared to a dermaroller, which has needles attached to a rotating cylindrical barrel. Both aim to improve skin texture, reduce scars, and enhance the effectiveness of skin care products,” says Dr Singh.
Benefits of Microneedling
Beauty can be painful, and while microneedling treatments may be painful, there are some potential benefits that motivate many women to undergo this treatment. Potential benefits include:
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Improves skin texture:
- Reduces scars
- Minimize pores
- Enhances penetration and absorption of topical products
And now, these benefits are available in a DIY kit that you can use in the comfort of your own home. There's no one who wouldn't want that.?
But experts are not too happy about it. Here's what they have to say:
What do the experts say?
Dr Shareefa Chause, dermatologist and aesthetician at Shareefa's Skin Care clinic in Mumbai, says that at-home microneedling is considered a cost-effective and suitable option, but caution is advised.
“If not done correctly, this procedure can lead to skin breakdown and infection, requiring further intervention,” Dr. Sharifa says.
Dr. Akanksha and Dr. Andrea seem to agree.
“I don't recommend using microneedling at home. I don't see any benefit to doing it at home,” says Andrea.
Dr Akanksha agrees, saying, “These are procedures that should be done in a clinic and are best done in a sterile environment. So, I don't recommend doing it at home. Also, it can go wrong in many ways and cause bigger problems.”
Dr. Akanksha doesn't recommend this for those with sensitive skin, a history of skin conditions, or those seeking more advanced treatments.
She goes on to list some drawbacks of such devices:
Please look:
Risk of injury
Without proper training and technique, you risk injuring the skin and causing irritation, infection, and other complications.
Inconsistent and ineffective results
Microneedling can improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars, but it may not be as effective on more complex skin issues or deeper scars, says Dr. Akansha.
The need for maintenance and sterilization
If you are using these devices at home, Dr Akanksha advises to clean and maintain them properly as there is a chance of bacterial contamination of the device.
Dr. Andrea says that if done at home, bacterial contamination of the skin can lead to a number of complications, including redness, irritation, skin tears and even irreversible scarring.