in Santa Monica, California
Get Your Glow Back
As we age, our skin stops producing the healing properties it once had, and we’re left with scars, wrinkles, and fine lines. Luckily, the skin experts at Self Care LA have an effective solution that will leave you looking and feeling flawless. We’re talking about microneedling!
Tighter, Brighter Skin
Microneedling is collagen-induction therapy. This minimally invasive procedure introduces fine needles into your skin. This helps improve the skin’s appearance. It is highly effective at treating fine lines and wrinkles, diminishing stretch marks, minimizing pore size, improving skin texture, and reducing scarring and acne.
Microneedling also enhances the skin's ability to absorb topical treatments, making it an excellent complement to other skincare products and procedures. By creating microchannels in the skin, this treatment allows serums and active ingredients to penetrate more deeply and effectively, maximizing their benefits. This added boost can lead to even more dramatic improvements in skin tone, hydration, and overall radiance, making microneedling a versatile and powerful option for those looking to achieve a refreshed, rejuvenated complexion.
Microneedling is a procedure that encourages your skin to continue building collagen, a vital protein that diminishes in your skin with age. At Self Care LA in Santa Monica, California, Bharat Kothakota, MD, MPH, provides traditional microneedling with Micropen EVO by Eclipse as well as microneedling with radiofrequency (Morpheus8) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for further improvements. Call Self Care LA or book an appointment online today to learn more about these treatment options.
Microneedling creates thousands of micro-injuries to the skin, which stimulates the release of growth factors and collagen production. The action of needling the skin stimulates the growth of collagen, which takes some time to see the benefits. Microneedling is a highly effective procedure to treat fine lines and wrinkles, acne, and scarring, reduce pore size, and improve skin texture.
MicroPen EVO by Eclipse is the latest FDA-approved microneedling pen. Its sterilization technology keeps patients and practitioners safe from infection. The treatment uses a peptide serum with vitamins, minerals, and a botanical mix to relax and hydrate the skin. Its angled head makes it easier for the pen to touch the skin, so your Santa Monica microneedling provider can reach every nook and cranny of the face. Most microneedling treatments take more than one session to have a noticeable effect on the skin. However, with the MicroPen EVO, we've seen changes in skin tone, texture, and color after just one treatment, which makes patients happier.
Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) boosts collagen production by rolling fine needles over the skin and adding platelets, which are a part of blood. Adding PRP from a sample of your blood to microneedling makes your microneedling results look better and heal faster. Platelets are the solid part of blood, while plasma is the liquid part. Platelets help blood clot, so they are important for healing wounds and injuries. PRP is plasma that has a lot of platelets compared to other parts of the blood. A doctor will take a sample of blood and then use a spinning device called a centrifuge to separate the PRP from the rest of the blood. There are proteins like growth factors and cytokines in PRP. Skin tissue can heal faster with the help of these proteins.
Microneedling at Self Care LA is a versatile treatment that can address a wide range of skin issues. Whether you’re dealing with the first signs of aging or persistent skin conditions, we’ve got you covered.
As collagen production declines with age, fine lines and wrinkles begin to form. Microneedling stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin, helping to smooth out these signs of aging and restore youthful skin.
Acne scars can be stubborn and hard to treat. Microneedling works by breaking down old scar tissue and encouraging the formation of new skin, reducing the appearance of scars and improving skin texture.
Enlarged pores and uneven skin texture can detract from your complexion. Microneedling helps to refine the skin’s surface, shrinking pores and creating a smoother, more even texture.
Sun exposure and hormonal changes can lead to dark spots and uneven pigmentation. Microneedling can help even out skin tone by promoting cell turnover and reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Stretch marks are a common concern for many, and microneedling offers a solution by stimulating collagen in the affected areas, improving the skin’s elasticity, and reducing the visibility of stretch marks.
For those experiencing hair thinning or loss, microneedling can be used to stimulate hair follicles and encourage regrowth. When combined with PRP, the results can be even more effective, offering a non-surgical option for hair restoration.
Fresh, Feisty, and Fabulous
During your session for microneedling Santa Monica aesthetics expert, Dr. Bharat Kothakota and his team will review your medical history, discuss the objectives you have set for yourself, and work together to devise a treatment strategy to deliver exceptional microneedling results. Give us a call to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced medical specialists in the comfort of our quiet and private office in Santa Monica, California.
Reclaim Your Complexion
Microneedling can be slightly painful, so an anesthetic cream will be put on the area to be treated about 30 minutes before the procedure. Once your skin is numb, it is washed and dried. Then, depending on the goals set during your consultation, either an active peptide gliding serum or your PRP is applied to the skin as the MicroPen EVO is used to infuse those serums into your skin.
Rejuvenate and Repair
Your tailored post-treatment procedure will consist of a personalized serum and cooling mask to help calm down the treatment area. In addition, the doctor may prescribe that you expose yourself to red LED lights to speed up the healing process. In order to encourage the quickest and most complete healing possible, you should keep your skin clean and moisturized at all times. Steadfast sun protection using non-chemical zinc-based SPF is critical during the healing process. Following microneedling Santa Monica patients may observe a difference in the texture of their skin one week after your first treatment. After three sessions, you may detect a reduction in the visibility of acne scars or deeper wrinkles.
Microneedling has minimal downtime. Santa Monica microneedling patients may experience redness and irritation, but by the next morning, it should mostly subside. At that point, we provide/recommend products for sun protection and to aid in recovery. We are an exclusive partner with Skinceuticals, and find their products truly optimize your results. You can resume makeup and other regular routines by the next day.
During your consultation, we will plan a path for your recovery. Repeated treatments may be needed for optimal results. Your aesthetic provider will help you determine the best course of treatments and accompanying products for your skin.
To further enhance and maintain the benefits of microneedling, it’s important to follow a tailored skincare regimen that supports healing and collagen production. This includes the use of high-quality moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens to protect and nourish your skin. At Self Care LA, we often recommend integrating antioxidant-rich products and hydrating serums to boost the results of your treatment. Regular maintenance sessions, spaced appropriately as recommended by your provider, will ensure that your skin continues to improve over time, helping you to sustain that fresh, youthful glow.
Anyone who is looking to improve the texture of their skin, reduce pore size, and treat acne scarring can be an excellent candidate for microneedling. While it is safe on all skin types, you need the benefit of our experienced medical team to ensure you get the best outcome possible. Like most cosmetic procedures, we do not recommend microneedling on pregnant or breastfeeding women as microneedling has not been properly studied in these patients. While a patient can have active acne, we do not recommend treating it when there is an active infection that may require medical treatment, such as antibiotics.
With the help of microneedling, tiny punctures are made in the skin's outer layer. On extremely rare occasions, this may introduce bacteria to the skin, leading to an infection. Triggering an outbreak of cold sores in people with the Herpes simplex virus is a possible side effect. However, because PRP therapy employs the patient's own blood, it is typically well tolerated. It is important for patients to adhere to their doctor's aftercare instructions in order to lessen the likelihood of problems. Remember to bring a hat to your appointment to protect your skin after treatment!
The principle of collagen induction therapy is well-studied, and the results are notable on a cellular level. It has an 86% approval rating on Real Self. In addition to the overall health of the skin via collagen production, the more immediate effects of treating acne scars and fine lines & wrinkles are well established.
The cost of microneedling depends on what areas you want to treat. Most commonly, we treat the face, and very often, we add Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to further enhance the results. It is commonly paired with our Clear and Brilliant laser on the same visit. After a consultation with one of our medical providers, we can formulate an accurate quote and plan for your treatment.
Microneedling does require a topical anesthetic before treatment. You will be numbed for about 20 to 30 minutes before treatment is started. Most Santa Monica microneedling clients feel pressure but not pain in particular. It is very well tolerated with topical anesthetic alone.
Your skin is very sensitive after microneedling, so proper SPF and sun protection is key to your recovery. We will provide or recommend products from Skinceuticals that can quicken your recovery and improve your results. For one week after your treatment, avoid using retinol products, as they make the skin very sensitive.
It normally takes about one month to see the results of your microneedling treatment in terms of acne scars, pore size, and skin texture. The underlying collagen growth has started and continues beyond the one-month mark. While a single treatment does have benefits, it is best to be treated in a series of three to four spaced one month apart. After that, most only need single maintenance sessions two to three times a year.
While a single microneedling treatment does have benefits, it is best to be treated in a series of three to four sessions spaced one month apart. After that, most people only need single maintenance sessions two to three times a year.
Yes, in fact, microneedling is safe for Fitzpatrick Skin Types 1-6. It does not deliver heat or energy that can be of concern in darker complexions.
Schedule your appointment at Self Care LA today!
Ready to offer your skin a second chance? Our aesthetic specialists have years of experience delivering stunning outcomes. Schedule your consultation in Santa Monica today. We can’t wait to treat you to the self-care you deserve.
1426 Montana Avenue, Suite 2, Santa Monica, CA 90403