As people seek effective ways to rejuvenate mature skin, methods such as micro-needling, also known as dermal rolling, are coming to the fore.
Developed by pioneering South African plastic surgeon and skincare specialist Dr Des Fernandes, this treatment system also known as collagen stimulation therapy involves needling the skin.
This minimally invasive anti-ageing treatment, which does not damage the epidermis is creating dramatic results, claims Therese Moylan who carries out this minimally invasive anti-ageing treatment, at her skin care centre at Forster Street in the city. It treats facial wrinkles, fine lines, redness, sun damage, acne scars, rosacea, pigmentation and loose skin.
“During the procedure a topical anaesthetic is applied and then the skincare professional uses a small instrument containing tiny needles to create thousands of microscopic channels in the lower levels of your skin,” she explains. “These temporary tiny needle punctures induce numerous growth factors and healing mechanisms to produce new collagen and elastin in the subsequent days, without any damage to the overlying epidermis.”
Micro-needling allows patients to return to work the day after treatment with no outward signs other than flushed skin, similar to the appearance of mild sunburn, she says.
“By penetrating only to a depth of 1mm the risk of bruising and swelling is minimal. The effects of the procedure are enhanced by preparing the skin with Environ’s vitamin A and C topical products prior to the micro-needling and continuing use thereafter, to further promote healthy growth factors, collagen and elastin.”
How does the treatment work? Ms Moylan says the body responds to collagen stimulation therapy in the same way it would react to an injury.
“The small amount of bleeding caused during treatment releases powerful growth factors which are part of a natural healing response resulting in increased collagen and elastic production.”
She says the benefits of this rejuvenating treatment which can be used on all parts of the face and body to improve the appearance of wrinkles, shallow acne scarring, lax skin and stretch marks, are many.
“This procedure helps restore the tightness of the skin and can delay or avoid the need for a facelift or brow lift, and remarkable results have been achieved on slack underarm skin,” she claims. “It thickens and rejuvenates the skin, softens fine lines, restores elasticity, reduces pigmentation marks, stretch marks and scars. It also diminishes the appearance of dilated blood vessels. Thin skin can be treated and because the epidermis is perfectly preserved and healing is rapid, there is no sun sensitivity afterwards.”
There is a short healing phase, usually three days. People will experience redness or puffiness immediately after needling and their skin may be dry for a few days but this is completely normal, she says. Improvements are visible after one treatment. For best results, a series of six micro-needling treatments should be done at intervals between one week and one month, she recommends. The cost is €150 per treatment including the cost of the roller which is used and re-used exclusively for each individual.
For further information contact the Therese Moylan Skin Care Centre at 15 Forster Street, Galway. Telephone (091 ) 566985.
