How Long Does Recovery After Microneedling Take?

Living in a coastal area, residents of Hampton Roads have quick access to the beach, the perfect place for sun tanning or enjoying beautiful outdoor weather. Unfortunately, if you frequently tan or spend a lot of time outdoors, that can prematurely age your skin, leading to sun damage, fine lines, and other signs of aging.

If you’re always on the go, taking a long time to recover from a cosmetic procedure may not be feasible. Vivace® RF Microneedling, the newest revolution in minimally invasive tightening and contouring for the face, neck, and body, has practically zero downtime. The procedure is so quick and painless (we use a very effective numbing cream) that you can get it on your lunch break! Our experienced medical professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional personal service and achieving outstanding results, while ensuring a quick recovery.

How Long Does it Take for Microneedling to Heal?

At Dermacare of Hampton Roads (DermacareHR), we know that healing time is a primary factor when choosing the right skincare option for your aesthetic goals. Microneedling offers positive results with few side effects and a quick healing process. Exact healing time depends on the microneedling treatment you choose; recovery is different for SkinPen® Microneedling and Vivace® RF Microneedling. While many med spas offer both services, Dermacare prefers Vivace® in all circumstances. Let’s talk about why.

SkinPen® Microneedling

One common microneedling treatment available is SkinPen® Microneedling; in fact, SkinPen® Microneedling was considered the treatment choice until Vivace® RF Microneedling technology was approved for use. While the procedure is similar to Vivace® RF Microneedling, the healing time after your appointment is longer. You can expect redness, swelling, peeling, and flaking — similar to a moderate sunburn — to last up to four days after your SkinPen® Microneedling procedure. While these discomforts are typically minor, many people don’t feel comfortable returning to work or school before their skin has healed.

The Vivace® Difference

One of the primary differences between Vivace® RF Microneedling and other microneedling treatments is the recovery time. You can expect redness and pinpoint bleeding to resolve within just an hour of two, making it much easier to return to regular activity without feeling self-conscious about your appearance. Because of the convenience, this provides for those with busy schedules, Vivace® RF Microneedling has become the treatment of choice for patients with acne scars, stretch marks, sun damage, and other signs of aging.

How Does Vivace® RF Microneedle Work?

When your skin is injured, blood flow, collagen production, and elastin production all increase to promote and expedite healing. Vivace® RF Microneedling triggers this healing response in your skin in two ways: 1) 36 tiny (micro) needles pierce your skin with each pulse, mimicking injury, and 2) radiofrequency energy (heat) is administered, accelerating rejuvenation of your skin.

As a result, new tissue is generated, and skin rejuvenation results, leading to brighter, tighter, smoother skin in the treated area.

What Can I Expect From My Vivace® RF Microneedle Treatment?

Knowing what to expect can make it much easier to plan and prepare for your appointment and recovery period. Here’s what you need to know:

• Vivace® RF Microneedling can help soften your wrinkles, reduce the size and visibility of your pores, improve acne and acne scarring, tighten your skin, improve the appearance of discoloration or hyperpigmentation, and improve your skin tone and skin texture overall.
• You’ll schedule a consultation appointment first so a clinician can review your medical history, ensure you’re a good candidate for the procedure, and provide pre-treatment instructions.
• You’ll have to follow a few specific steps before your scheduled appointment, like limiting exposure to the sun, avoiding certain skincare products, discontinuing retinol products, and cleansing your face using a gentle cleanser prior to your treatment.
• We’ll offer a topical numbing cream before we begin the microneedling procedure, which will help reduce sensation and make you more comfortable. Most patients say the treatment is not painful, but some patients do experience pain or discomfort, especially around the eyes or on the upper lip.
• The clinician will move the Vivace® RF Microneedling over your skin, treating your skin in pulses. With each pulse, 36 tiny needles pierce the skin and administer radiofrequency energy, triggering the healing process in your skin. Most patients feel “a poke” or “a prick” — not all 36 microneedles.
• Boost Glide Serum is applied to your skin in the office and sent home with you to use throughout the remainder of the day.
• You’ll be sent home with at-home aftercare instructions to follow over the next several days.

In most cases, the whole appointment lasts about an hour and a half (including time to numb), and you can continue your day immediately following your appointment. While there is no downtime, you may experience some minor discomforts as you heal.

What is the Recovery Timeline for Vivace® RF Microneedle Treatment?

Although you can go right back to school and work after your Vivace® RF Microneedling appointment, there are some steps you’ll need to follow at home to care for the treatment area and prevent complications. Additionally, you’ll likely experience some uncomfortable skin changes in the hours and days following your appointment.

Less than 24 Hours

In the first 24 hours following your treatment, it’s common to experience some tightness, redness, or swelling. However, for most patients, redness goes away within just a few hours. There are specific instructions to follow in the first 24 hours:

• Avoid sun exposure and exposure to heat (hot tubs or saunas).
• Avoid makeup, moisturizer, sunscreen, and other skincare products.
• Avoid excessive sweating and exercising; it can increase your risk of infection.
• Do not wear clothing that has to come in contact with the treatment area, like hats, headbands, or head coverings if at all possible.

1-2 Weeks

Swelling and redness should subside within the first week. Your skin will be sensitive, so it’s important to avoid exfoliating your skin and direct sunlight for at least 10 days. During this time, you can wash your face with a gentle cleanser daily, use a hyaluronic acid serum once a day, and wear mineral makeup. Avoid picking at any scabs, breakouts, or dry skin; your clinician can help you address those issues if they arise.

2+ Weeks

After a couple of weeks, you no longer have any restrictions. However, for the best healing, you should hydrate often, eat a healthy diet (rich in fruits and vegetables and refrain from processed foods), and abstain from smoking and drinking alcohol excessively. These habits can be detrimental to your skin and minimize the results of your microneedling session.

How Long Does It Take to See Results from Vivace® Microneedle RF Treatment?

Patients love Vivace® RF Microneedling because they see results quickly. Most patients see changes in their skin in as little as a day with continued improvement in skin tone and texture over the next three to six weeks.

If you’re scheduling Vivace® RF Microneedling prior to a big event, like a gala or a wedding, be sure to schedule your treatment 6 weeks before the event for optimal results. If you schedule your session too close to your event date, you may not have achieved your optimal skin in time.

When Should I Schedule My Vivace® Microneedle RF Follow-Up Treatments?

Treatments are typically scheduled 4-6 weeks apart, depending on your unique skin and treatment goals. We’ll help you schedule your first follow-up appointment 4-6 weeks after your initial Vivace® RF Microneedling, so you don’t have to worry about missing or delaying your follow-up appointment.

How Many Vivace® Microneedle RF Treatments Do I Need?

Most patients achieve their treatment goals in an average of three treatments with 4-6 weeks between each. Patients hoping to tackle more challenging skin problems like acne scarring or dark spots may benefit from additional treatment sessions. During your consultation appointment, we’ll draft a treatment plan that outlines the proposed number and timing of treatments. Therefore, you’ll know exactly what to expect before you begin collagen induction therapy.

Anti-Aging

Patients seeking Vivace® RF Microneedling to reverse the signs of aging, like fine lines and dullness, often see dramatic results in just three treatments. Additional treatments may be scheduled to further tighten and brighten skin.

Scarring

Vivace® RF Microneedling for scarring tends to require more sessions than average; patients seeking microneedling for scarring may need 5 or more sessions with a microneedling device to achieve their desired results. Those with minor scars will require fewer sessions than those with keloid or more severe scars.

Acne

The number of sessions required to treat acne varies greatly from patient to patient, depending on surface area and severity. You may need 3-6 sessions to achieve your treatment goals; your clinician will provide a more accurate estimate during your consultation appointment.

Burns

Patients using Vivace® RF Microneedling to treat burns may need more treatments depending on surface area and severity; expect 5-7 treatments, knowing that your clinician will provide you with a customized estimate during your consultation appointment.

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks require more treatment sessions on average than anti-aging or acne; you can expect to need 4-6 or more treatment sessions for stretch marks depending on the size and location.

How Long Will Vivace® RF Microneedling Results Last?

Unlike some treatments, Vivace® RF Microneedling encourages your body to produce its own medicine, offering natural and long-lasting results for all skin types. While each patient is different, the collagen and elastin that’s changing the appearance of your skin is produced by your own body. This accelerated production will continue for about six months after your procedure.

How long your results last depend on whether you keep a maintenance schedule. Most patients note results that last a few years, but the number of treatments and the maintenance schedule vary from one patient to the next.

We recommend scheduling a maintenance Vivace® RF Microneedling session 1 to 4 times per year depending on your original complaint and any skin changes you’re experiencing.

Vivace® RF Microneedle is Beauty Without the Pain

Ready for safe, effective skin rejuvenation to treat acne, fine lines, discoloration, and scarring? Vivace® RF Microneedling offers you all the skincare benefits you’re looking for without the pain; in fact, most patients say that the treatment is not painful whatsoever. To get started, schedule your online consultation appointment at DermacareHR today.