What is Microchanneling?
Similar to microneedling, microchanneling is a non-invasive procedure designed to stimulate your body’s natural ability to generate collagen, elastin and other building blocks of healthy skin. By stimulating the outermost layers of the skin, microchanneling can help your jump-start your body’s natural process. Increases in collagen and communication levels in the skin facilitate thicker, younger looking skin with minimal downtime.
Microchanneling is a popular treatment for acne scars, surgery scars and stretch marks. Scars improvement occurs by breaking down the old tissue and fostering the development of healthier skin. When combined with cutting-edge growth factor serums, healing is improved and future signs of aging is diminished.
Microchanneling involves a 3-stage process:
Micro-needles create micro-channels – Precision micro-needles are tapped into the skin creating uniform micro-channels. A single pass over the face will create hundreds of thousands of micro-channels.
Stimulation of a healing response – Each micro-channel is surrounded by healthy tissue, which enhances the healing process. In response to each micro-injury, an inflammatory healing process begins which initiates the formation of new collagen.
Smoothing of Skin – Over time, the repeated healing process will build new collagen, creating healthier skin, improving the surface texture and the overall appearance of the skin.
Who Can Benefit from Microchanneling Treatments?
Microchanneling treatments are minimally invasive, and are safe for all ages and skin types. Whether you are fair-skinned or dark, and even if you experience chronic breakouts, properly conducted microchanneling treatments will not result in hyperpigmentation, keloid scars or other lasting negative side effects.
Ideal candidates are those who seek improvement in the following areas:
- Acne scars
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Anti-aging or skin tightening
- Hyperpigmentation (sun spots)
- Pore size reduction
- Rosacea
- Stretch marks or other traumatic scarring
- Hair growth
- Microchanneling vs. Microneedling
The main differences between microchanneling and microneedling are the type of device used to perform the treatment and the technique that is used. A microneedling device involves the use of a handheld roller covered in tiny needles which is dragged over the skin. This method can actually tear the skin.
Instead, the microchanneling device encompasses a linear stamping technique, resulting in clean, consistent micro-channels. This reduced tissue damage results in reduced inflammation and substantially decreased discomfort for clients. Reduced inflammation means less downtime. Typical downtime after a microchanneling treatment is 60-90 minutes, compared to days of downtime with microneedling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does it hurt?
A: With minimal physical discomfort, most clients are able to do the procedure without numbing cream and without any noticeable pain. There is no lingering discomfort, and we have a number of strategies we employ to minimize discomfort during treatment. Post-procedure, most people report a “tight” feeling in their skin.
Q: What is in the serum?
A: ProCell’s Microchannel Delivery Serum contains bone marrow-derived growth factors in a hyaluronic acid suspension. Both of these elements are naturally-occurring in the human body. There are no human, animal, or plant cells, DNA, blood, or any other foreign substances. The product has been used safely and effectively for over a decade.
Q: My skin is irritated. Can I use moisturizer?
A: It is normal for treatments to result in some skin irritation, especially for clients with more sensitive skin. Always wait a minimum of 90 minutes before putting anything else on the skin. During this time it is normal for the skin to remain pink or light red. After the 90 minutes you can apply additional moisturizer or other products. Keep in mind however, that as your skin may be more sensitive than usual for several days after the treatment, especially strong topicals should be avoided until the skin returns to normal.
Q: How long before I can expect to see results?
A: Though neocollagenesis (the production of new collagen) can take several weeks, it is not abnormal to notice an improvement in the quality and appearance of your skin within the first 24 hours. After 2-3 treatments a thicker more robust, collagen filled cellular matrix will produce more consistent and noticeable improvement. And 6 or more treatments may be recommended for scarring, laxity and wrinkles.
Q: Are there any contraindications?
A: If you have any underlying condition that significantly impairs your immune system, it is a good idea to avoid microchanneling. Examples include but are not limited to active radiation or chemotherapy, uncontrolled diabetes, chronic inflammatory skin disease, Accutane in the past 2 years, hemophilia or similar bleeding disorder. Also anyone with stainless steel allergies should not do this treatment. We also discourage treatments for those who are pregnant or nursing.
Q: Do I have to use the Microchanneling solution / aftercare serums?
A: Microchanneling stimulates the body to release peptides, cytokines and growth factors that induce collagen production. As you get older, the stem cells that produce these vital proteins lose efficacy and decline in population, so microchanneling alone becomes less and less effective. Because of premature aging, the Microchannel Delivery Serum and the post care Cellular Renewal Serum and Healing Accelerator Serum become more vital to improvement. Use of the ProCell aftercare products ensure the skin continuously receives potent, robust, pristine peptides, cytokines and growth factors even in between treatments. Think of diet and exercise – microchanneling without serums is like exercising without dieting. Results can be good with microchanneling only, but are significantly amplified with serums.
Be. Clinical Spa is proud to offer ProCell Microchanneling. One of our most popular treatments, microchanneling can drastically improve the appearance and feel of your skin. Call our office at 281.894.9992 to schedule your free skin care consultation (in person or via Zoom) to learn more about microchanneling.