Microneedling in Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, PA plastic surgeon, Dr. James Fernau, offers patients numerous treatments to help turn back the hands of time without having to have a surgical procedure. Microneedling is a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation procedure that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and smooth wrinkles. It assists in producing new collagen and elastin and is good for all skin types. You will see an improvement in skin texture and firmness, as well as notice a reduction in scars, pore size, and stretch marks. Microneedling can be done on areas of skin that may not be suitable for peeling or laser resurfacing such as around the eyes, mouth, hands, and chest. The treatment can go deeper on some areas where skin damage or scarring requires a more aggressive approach.

In our Pittsburgh, PA plastic surgery center, microneedling is performed using the SkinPen. The treatment typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size and number of areas treated and the degree of treatment requested by the patient. The treatment is performed with a hand-held device that contains tiny needles attached to a small roller head. The needles puncture the skin to create a controlled skin injury, which in turn heels itself to rejuvenate new skin growth. Microneedling can be combined with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) to enhance the procedure and improve the results. PRP is a highly concentrated serum that is taken from the patient's own blood.

Patients undergoing microneedling may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired result. This procedure can be an ongoing treatment for optimal maintenance and lasting results. It can be repeated every 4 – 6 weeks as needed. Microneedling is an outpatient procedure.

A topical anesthetic cream is applied to the area prior to the procedure to allow for a comfortable experience. The patient will feel a slight vibration during the procedure, but otherwise the treatment does not cause any pain. Healing time varies, but patients should expect to have redness and slight swelling for 2-7 days after the microneedling procedure. It is super important to wear sunscreen and to avoid sun exposure for 10 days after treatment.

$750 per treatment - 3 treatments for $1,800

Patients seeking skin rejuvenation to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or minimize pore size are good candidates for microneedling. It is a unique skin rejuvenation treatment that works to improve various types of scarring, such as acne scarring, surgical scars, and stretch marks.

Most patients will notice redness and mild swelling similar to a slight sunburn for 24 to 48 hours.  There may be slight pinpoint bleeding and/or bruising.  Skin will be noticeably smoother and more radiant within a week or two.

We recommend resuming your normal makeup routine 2 to 3 days after a microneedling treatment.

While microneedling is a procedure that is suitable for most patients, there are some precautions for those who have specific skin conditions, including severe acne or those who are on aggressive acne medications. During the consultation, we will do a thorough skin check to evaluate your condition before any treatment, and inquire about any medical case that may be present, or medications that have been taken within the last year. If it is determined that microneedling is not the right treatment, we will recommend another nonsurgical option to help you attain the results you desire.