Microneedling & Anti-Wrinkle Treatments: Is this the Perfect Combination Treatment for Wrinkles?
What’s better for minimising wrinkles? Anti-Wrinkle Treatment or Microneedling? Or a Combination of both?
For optimal results, a combination approach works wonders for stubborn fine lines and wrinkles. Anti-Wrinkle treatment essentially works by ‘freezing’ muscle movement preventing further formation of fine lines. However, it won’t always help with those deep-set static lines that have unfortunately been etched into the surface of the skin after years of repetitive muscle movement and other factors. That’s where Microneedling can come in super handy. Microneedling uses multiple fine sterile needles to puncture the skin with microscopic channels. This intentional and controlled injury initiates a skin healing response, resulting in thicker, plumper, firmer and smoother skin due to the increased production of collagen and elastin.
As stand-alone treatments, these are both fantastic in their own ways. Anti-wrinkle treatment will provide good visual results on the skin as the area will look and feel smoother – although for firmer, plumper, healthy skin, microneedling wins, hands-down.
It’s also important to note that anti-wrinkle injections will provide more immediate results (2 weeks) than Microneedling, as a course of 3-6 needling sessions, each 4-6 weeks apart, is usually recommended for optimal results. Following a thorough consultation, your practitioner should be able to recommend the best treatment(s) for you based on your desired outcomes.
Is there a better order of treatments? Anti-wrinkle treatment first, then microneedling? Or Vice-versa? If so, why? Or does it not matter?
If you decide to go down the treatment combination route, I recommend my patients leave two weeks between appointments. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, anti-wrinkle treatment needs to be administered to healthy intact skin and microneedling creates many microscopic channels, so it would not be ideal to perform both treatments within the same session. Secondly, should you microneedle too soon after injectables, you run the risk of disturbing your anti-wrinkle treatment which needs 14 days to settle and integrate into the muscles. Personally, I perform anti-wrinkle treatment injections on my patients first, enabling fine lines to soften naturally on the surface of the skin, then begin the course of microneedling two weeks later, optimising the results of anti-wrinkle treatment.
Do the two treatments affect each other and their results?
Providing they are carried out in a safe manner by a qualified medical practitioner, microneedling and anti-wrinkle treatment positively complement each other’s results. Used in combination, they offer a global approach to facial rejuvenation. Microneedling improves both the surface and deeper condition of the skin long-term, while anti-wrinkle treatment injections help extend the longevity of the former. A win-win combination approach.
Is there anything else anti-wrinkle treatments and microneedling work wonders on, other than wrinkles?
Anti-wrinkle and microneedling are commonly performed in combination to treat the face and neck only. However, as stand-alone treatments, they both offer so much more when performed safely. Not only can anti-wrinkle treatment be injected to reduce movement and soften fine lines in the upper face, but it can also successfully treat gummy smiles, reduce underarm sweating and slim jawlines.
Microneedling is suitable for an array of superficial body and face skin concerns. From large pores, sun damage, hyperpigmentation and scarring - it is a truly brilliant treatment for acne scarring! When collagen is stimulated by microneedling, it helps to fill out pitted acne scars, leading to smoother skin.
The most obvious place where microneedling can be extended to is your neck and décolletage which can feature some of the same concerns as your face - it can also help with those lines you get as a result of sleeping on your side. A procedure like microneedling is also great for stretch marks as they cause a disruption in the natural production of collagen. Microneedling will not only help restart that production, but this boost of elastin and collagen will also help in healing the damaged connective tissue in the dermis that create the stretch marks.
Which is your favourite and why?
A tough call! I absolutely love microneedling for the results it’s provided my patients in clinic. There’s plenty of science to back-up the impressive results of microneedling too, a 2008 study carried out by a plastic reconstructive surgeon showed an impressive increase in localised skin collagen production by up to 400% (4 sessions, each 1 month apart). As explained above, it’s a fantastic treatment for a multitude of skin concerns, not just those fine lines and wrinkles. It’s a very comfortable treatment, with no significant downtime - within a couple of hours, most are back to normal and you can resume your day-to-day activities. It’s important to avoid DIY microneedling, at-home microneedling devices run the risk of infection, bruising and grazing of the skin, so leave it to the professionals.
Read our other blog post about microneedling treatment for acne scarring here!
Lucy Foster
Aesthetic Nurse Lucy