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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.