The summer months are a difficult time for maintaining our ideal skin. From the constant swings in humidity, to the rapid changes in temperature between an air-cooled indoors to the sweltering outdoors, our skin is our outermost layer of protection against the brute force of these conditions. Whether we are seeing the skin degrade due to sustained humid environments or a day of dry air, it can be difficult to find our best routines to mitigate these environmental factors. The changing weather conditions and extreme heat can lead to frustration in finding the best ways to keep our skin radiant year round.

The progression of technology for skincare spans a wide range of potential solutions for humidity stressed skin or weather damaged skin; from specially formulated creams to electrical stimulation to light therapy and beyond. Today, we are highlighting the modernized version of an ancient practice, the stimulation of skin through microneedling. Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive intervention to improve the health of the skin. This technology creates microchannels in the upper skin layer, improving the absorption of cream while also stimulating cell proliferation and collagen production. Much progress has been made in the last few decades in application of this technology, now being recognized worldwide as a proven method in Dermatology. Today, the use of microneedling is FDA-cleared for the use in improving skin texture and stimulating collagen production. 

In our blog discussion today, we will first dissect two clinical reviews, one from 2017 and one from 2024, to gain a deeper scientific understanding of exactly how microneedling impacts our skin layers. After a review of the clinical material, we will discuss the insights in simpler terms and highlight how modern engineering is making this technology available from the comfort of your home. With that, let's dive into the clinical reviews!

‍The Cutting Edge of Microneedling

‍Review #1 | Microneedling: A Comprehensive Review

[Read Here]

At a glance: 

• Clinical Review | 2017 Clinical review in Dermatological Surgery Journal
• Background: Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses fine needles to puncture the epidermis. The microwounds created stimulate the release of growth factors and induce collagen production. The epidermis remains relatively intact, therefore helping to limit adverse events. The indications for microneedling therapy have grown significantly, and it is becoming a more widely used treatment in dermatology.
• Results: Studies demonstrate microneedling efficacy and safety for the treatment of scars, acne, melasma, photodamage, skin rejuvenation, hyperhidrosis and alopecia and for facilitation of transdermal drug delivery. While permanent adverse events are uncommon, transient erythema and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation are more commonly reported.

• Conclusion: “Microneedling appears to be an overall effective and safe therapeutic option for numerous dermatologic conditions. Larger and more randomized controlled trials are needed to provide greater data on the use of microneedling for different dermatologic conditions in different skin types.”

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Review #2 | Microneedling in Dermatology: A Comprehensive Review of Applications, Techniques, and Outcomes

[Read Here]
At a glance: 

• Clinical Review | 2024 Clinical review in Cureus Springer Nature
• Conclusion: “In conclusion, microneedling has emerged as a versatile and effective dermatological procedure with many applications, from treating acne scars and wrinkles to enhancing skin texture and tone.”
• Abstract:

Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive dermatological procedure that has gained widespread popularity for treating various skin conditions, including acne scars, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and stretch marks. By creating controlled micro-injuries in the skin, microneedling stimulates the body’s natural healing processes, resulting in increased collagen and elastin production, essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Over the past few decades, microneedling has evolved significantly, with advancements such as automated devices, radiofrequency microneedling, and combination therapies enhancing its effectiveness and safety profile. This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms of action, various techniques, and clinical applications of microneedling, highlighting its advantages over other skin rejuvenation methods. The review also examines patient satisfaction, safety considerations, and potential complications, providing a balanced perspective on its clinical utility. Furthermore, the discussion includes future directions in microneedling technology and research, focusing on emerging innovations and potential new applications. As the field advances, microneedling is poised to play an increasingly important role in aesthetic medicine, offering a reliable and effective solution for skin rejuvenation and beyond. This review is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, guiding the optimization of microneedling practices and informing future research efforts.

Blog Discussion: 

The applications of microneedling have continued to grow in scope as dermatology continues to study this science. Today, the uses include skin rejuvenation, hair restoration, reducing acne scars, reducing pigmentation, reducing stretch marks, and more. All of these various effects can sound ‘too good to be true’ at first glance, so it is important to recognize the scientific facts that connect all these potential positive effects. At its core, microneedling (and related technologies) simply stimulates the body’s natural healing processes. Where chemical based therapies must be developed specifically for various conditions, microneedling creates a “targeted injury promotes collagen synthesis and skin remodeling, making microneedling an effective treatment for various dermatological conditions” [Jaiswal]. This effect, stimulating the skin rather than seeking to modify the skin, is what gives microneedling such a wide range of positive uses. Much like Light Therapy, discussed in our previous post, this stimulation takes advantage of the body’s natural wisdom to heal itself. Along this same vein, “microneedling promotes neo-vascularization or the formation of new blood vessels. This process enhances blood supply to the treated area, improving nutrient delivery and supporting the healing process.” [Jaiswal]. This increased blood flow and collagen stimulation aid the skin in repairing damage and fending off new damage, whether that is from old injuries of the rough conditions of summer weather.

Beyond the stimulation of skin, microneedling is an exciting avenue in increasing the absorption of specially formulated creams. The review states, “Another significant advantage of microneedling is its ability to enhance transdermal drug delivery. The needles' micro-channels allow for better penetration of topical agents, such as serums containing vitamins or growth factors. This enhanced absorption can significantly increase the efficacy of these treatments, making microneedling a valuable adjunct in various dermatological therapies” [Jaiswal]. This combination of factors, makes microneedling a top-choice among dermatologists seeking to provide the best possible skincare for their clients.

Today, with the advancements in handheld technology, microneedling is finding a new home - your home! Whereas the last few decades are marked by needling stimulation only being available at specialized offices, the progressions in device manufacturing have made this available for home use. With the cutting-edge engineering at Nuon, the induction of collagen and enhancement of transdermal absorption can be configured into existing applicators, boosting skin results and  customer satisfaction. The frontier of skin solutions is democratizing these tried-and-true clinical methods for easy at-home use. Technology has taken big steps, are you coming with?

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