As we age, our skin can begin to sag and wrinkles can start to form. To combat these signs of aging, many people turn to skin-tightening treatments such as microneedling and laser resurfacing. But which one is the best option for achieving tighter, smoother skin? In this blog post, we will explore the differences between microneedling and laser resurfacing and help you determine which treatment may be the best choice for your specific skin concerns.
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin. These injuries trigger the body’s natural healing process, which in turn stimulates collagen production. Collagen is a protein that helps to firm and tighten the skin, making it appear youthful and radiant. Microneedling is often used to treat scarring, uneven skin tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and large pores. It is a relatively quick procedure and typically requires minimal recovery time and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Common side effects include redness, swelling, tenderness.
First, the medical provider will cleanse the face and applies a numbing cream to the patient’s skin. Then, they move the microneedling pen over the patient’s skin in all directions. The device’s tiny needles make minor injuries on the skin’s surface to initiate the body’s natural healing process and boost collagen and elastin production.
After microneedling, the medical provider may apply a serum with growth factors to the patient’s skin to enhance the effects of the procedure.
Men and women who want to reduce signs of aging, scarring, and other skin issues may benefit from microneedling. Here are other skin concerns microneedling can treat.
Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic treatment in which a laser device blasts light energy into the dermis to induce collagen production to regenerate skin. First, your dermatologist/provider will decide which laser is best for your skin: an ablative or non-ablative laser.
Laser resurfacing can be done with two different types of lasers: ablative and non-ablative. Here at The Park MedSpa, we have 2 kinds of laser we are using.
Aerolase Era (Ablative Laser) remove the top layer of skin and heat the underlying skin which stimulates the growth of collagen. It delivers the best result but requires more downtime.
Aerolase Neo (Non-Ablative laser) work below the surface of the skin. A technique in which lasers are used to resurface the skin to improve pigment and texture without physical injury to the skin surface. It delivers the best result but needs multiple sessions and it causes no downtime.
There are numerous types and brands of lasers currently used for cosmetic skincare. We use the Award Winning Aerolase Laser at our practice for a few reasons: 1. it’s ablative and non-ablative, meaning you’ll get the best of both worlds treating both surface and deep layers of skin, and 2. It’s quick, painless, and safe for all skin types and tones of all ages with little to no downtime. You can return to your normal routine after treatment.
Before beginning any laser resurfacing treatment, the medical provider will numb the patient’s skin with a cream.
Ablative laser resurfacing therapy involves the laser destroying the epidermis and heating deeper skin layers. This initiates collagen production in order to repair any scars or wounds. Non-ablative laser treatments do not cause damage to the surface layer. The heat from the laser is only directed into deeper layer of the skin. Even though both procedures initiate collagen production, the after effects of non-ablative laser causes no downtime.
Most healthy people with aesthetic or medical skin issues may undergo laser. Here are other skin concerns that Aerolase Laser can treat.
ADVANTAGES
| Microneedling | Laser Skin Resurfacing |
|---|---|
| Helps skincare products become more effective. The holes (microchannels) can help skincare products penetrate the deep layers, making them more effective. | Quicker results with fewer sessions. Lasers do more drastic changes to the skin, which means the results are more visible after the skin heals with fewer sessions. This is ideal for spots, skin texture, skin laxity, enlarged pores, and other problem areas. |
| Can be used for all skin types. Microneedling does not use heat, so it will not discolor the skin of patients with darker skin. | Results last longer. After the treated area fully heals, you can expect the effects to last up to a few years. |
| Can be done at home. At-home microneedling tools can be purchased by everyday users. However, these microneedling devices aren’t as strong and less effective as the tools in a cosmetic clinic. | No incisions during the procedure. Unlike microneedling which punctures the skin, laser skin resurfacing uses heat to penetrate the skin. This reduces the chance of getting scars from your procedure. |
| | Target Deeper Layer of Skin. laser can treat deeper layer of the skin to promote collagen production, making it more effective at skin resurfacing. Specially those who are older patients who wants to see dramatic results |
DISADVANTAGES
| Microneedling | Laser Skin Resurfacing |
|---|---|
| It can be a slow process. Microneedling’s initial changes are very subtle, and it takes weeks and multiple sessions before you see any visible changes to your skin. Many people will need a total of 3-5 treatment sessions. | More expensive than microneedling. Microneedling can cost around $400 per session. The average cost for multiple laser skin procedures cost $2,000 for ablative laser and $1,000 for non-ablative laser. |
| Not for those with bacterial skin infections. Those who have active infections or are currently treating conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis are unsuitable candidates for this procedure. The bacteria can enter the microchannels and develop an infection. | Longer downtime. While microneedling has little to no downtime, ablative laser treatments create superficial injury to the skin and will require a few days to recover. |
| At-home microneedling can cause scarring. While microneedling can be done at home, those who use their microneedling device wrongly can be prone to scarring and bacterial infection. | Risk of discolored skin for darker skin tones. Skin color can have an effect on the final result. A patient with a darker skin type is more prone to permanent skin discoloration than the one with lighter skin. however, non-ablative fractional laser can be used safely to treat darker skin tones |
Microneedling Result: The increase in collagen production results in Reduced aging signs, tighter skin, even skin tone. The results are visible within a few weeks of the procedure.
Laser therapy induces collagen production, resulting in reduced aging signs, tighter skin, even skin tone. Maintenance treatments may be needed depending on the skin issue.
Both microneedling and laser resurfacing can be effective in achieving tighter, smoother skin. However, the best choice for you will depend on your specific skin concerns and the extent of damage you wish to address. If you have fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone, microneedling may be a good option. If you have deeper wrinkles, acne scars, or age spots, laser resurfacing may be a better choice. Consult with a skincare professional to determine the best treatment plan for you and the best course of action for your skin issue.
Both microneedling and laser skin resurfacing can be combined to give you better results. It is possible to have laser treatments followed by microneedling on the same day but expect that there might be more pain due to the sensitivity of the area you’re trying to treat. You can also alternate these treatments and have them separately, but this must be upon.
If you’re looking for non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments, you can’t go wrong with microneedling or laser resurfacing – they’re two of the most popular options out there. Depending on your specific skin issue, one might be a better choice than the other, but they usually work well together achieving tighter, smoother skin.
To get the best results, choose an experienced, board-certified cosmetic provider who can advise you on the best course of action for your individual case.
The Park MedSpa proudly offers Microneedling, laser therapy treatments and offers high-quality, individualized, and compassionate care for our patients. If you are considering either Microneedling or laser treatments as an option for skin tightening, The Park Medspa’s Expert Providers Dr. Miller and Ritu Gupta, MSN, FNP are happy to help you decide and determine the best treatment plan just for you. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!
or call us for a free skin consultation at 908-227-7544
Our boutique Spa will offer you a free consultation, a relaxed and unique atmosphere with a fair price structure and the opportunity to benefit from special programs and promotions throughout the year.
