Micro needling is a low tear alternative to Laser skin resurfacing using fractional non-ablative technology such as Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant. How else do these skin rejuvenating treatments differ? And which anti-aging treatment is best suited for you?
The science of non-invasive skin rejuvenation
Non-invasive skin rejuvenating treatments such as micro needling, Fraxel, and Clear + Brilliant can produce younger, healthier, clearer skin through stimulating collagen and elastin production and increasing capillaries, processes known as neocollagenesis and neovascularization.*
Why is collagen regeneration so important?
Collagen is a protein that fortifies the skin keeping it firm and smooth, helps the skin withstand damage and enables skin to heal and repair itself. Ultimately, it’s the absence and deterioration of collagen that makes skin look old and damaged, and conversely, the presence and rejuvenation of collagen that makes skin look young and healthy.
How does micro needling & laser resurfacing generate collagen production?
Although micro needling and Fraxel or Clear and Brilliant capitalize on different delivery methods, both treatments stimulate collagen production using the same principle of controlled skin injury: the creation of non-damaging micro wounds in the skin which trigger the body to produce more collagen to repair and restore itself.*
How does micro needling work?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, uses a mechanical device equipped with fine needles to produce controlled injury. Some micro needling devices are pens, which have numerous needles at the tip. Other micro needling devices are rollers, which have wheels of fine needles.
While results may vary the micro needling mechanism is the following: When applied to the treatment area, each fine needle pricks the skin creating a micro tear in the dermis. This triggers the body’s natural healing process. The body repairs this skin damage by sending collagen and elastin to the puncture site. Because the wounds are so miniscule, the skin can rapidly repair itself. Though the micro injuries quickly heal, the collagen and elastin the body created in response to the micro tears remain. This newly generated collagen and elastin rejuvenates the skin covered in the treatment area, leaving it smoother, firmer, and younger looking.*
What are the benefits of micro needling?
Numerous clinically studies have shown skin needling to safely and effectively:
- Reduce the appearance of scars, especially acne scars.
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Treat uneven pigmentation, restoring even skin tone.
- Reduce pore size
- Improve skin texture and firmness
How does non-ablative fractional lasers work?
Similar in concept to micro needling, non-ablative fractional lasers such as Clear and Brilliant or Fraxel, create controlled injury. Unlike micro needling, laser skin resurfacing such as Clear and Brilliant or Fraxel utilizes thermal energy to create these micro tears in the dermis. In response to the controlled injury, the body generates more collagen to repair the skin. The skin quickly heals, while the remaining collagen continues to rejuvenate the skin, leading to skin that looks younger and healthier.*
Laser skin resurfacing can also remove the top layer of dead skin, stimulating cellular renewal and revealing a new layer of skin lying underneath the older layer. This may rejuvenate the skin, making it appear healthier and more radiant.*
What are the benefits of Laser Skin Resurfacing?*
Numerous clinically studies have shown laser skin resurfacing using Fraxel or Clear + Brilliant safely and effectively:
- Repairs uneven skin tone.
- Repairs sun damage that results in brown spots or freckles.
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Diminishes the appearance of facial scarring.
- Tightens skin.
- Can replace old, dull looking skin with new, radiant looking skin.
What are the differences between Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant?
Both Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant utilize non-ablative fractional laser technology. The main difference between the two is the intensity of the laser.
Clear + Brilliant uses a less intense laser which is gentle on the skin. This gentler laser is perfect for maintaining healthy skin and ideal for treating superficial skin conditions such as small fine lines and wrinkles and minor sun damage. Clear and Brilliant is often used in comprehensive laser acne treatment because it reduces pore size.
Check out these Clear + Brilliant Before and After Pics
Fraxel uses a more intense laser, which penetrates the skin deeper than Clear + Brilliant. While Fraxel requires a slightly longer recovery time than Clear and Brilliant, it produces more dramatic results. Fraxel is comonly used to treat more serious sun damage, reduce the appearance of more prominent wrinkles, reduces the appearance of acne scars, minimizes the appearance of crows feet, and diminish brown spots and other types of hyper-pigmentation.
Learn more about Fraxel from SKINNEY Medspa
Micro needling vs Laser skin resurfacing
Micro needling penetrates the skin less deeply than Fraxel or Clear + Brilliant. This means that micro needling is best for superficial skin conditions. It will cause less injury minimizing the amount of post-procedure redness, inflammation, and recovery time. This also means that Micro needling is better suited for treating areas with thin or delicate skin such as around the eyes. It may also be better suited for patients with ethnic skin tones.*
Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant are able to penetrate deeper into the epidermis leading to more dramatic results. Also the depths of penetration are adjustable, so the laser skin resurfacing treatment can be customized to address the unique concerns of each patient.*
Because Laser skin resurfacing uses more advanced technology than micro needling, Fraxel or Clear and Brilliant is often more expensive than micro needling.
Micro needling or laser skin resurfacing? Which skin treatment is right for you?
Every patient is unique, both in their concerns and the conditions of their skin. The best way to determine whether micro needling or laser skin resurfacing is most ideal for you is to set up a free skin consultation with one of the skin care specialists at SKINNEY Medspa. During your consultation, your skin care specialist will address any concerns you may have and explain why one treatment may be more beneficial than another. You can also discuss pricing.
For new customers, sign up for your free skin consultation now and receive 20% off any treatment of your choice.
