Microneedling Services

Conveniently Book Your Appointment Online

We offer wide variety of treatments and techniques that will help you with relieving your pain. Our therapists are all registered with their respective organizations and are highly trained to give you the best treatment you deserve. We are a multi-disciplinary wellness clinic in St. Albert that offers Massage Therapy, Manual Osteopathic Therapy and Acupuncture.

Conveniently book the service you need online or call us for more information to help you decide which treatment is right for you.

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling can increase your skin’s collagen, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, shrink your pore size, decrease acne scars, even skin tone, improve skin texture, stimulate hair growth, and is safe on all skin colors!

Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) is also called Microneedling. This procedure uses a handheld needle pen to create micro-wounds in the dermis. These micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural healing process, producing new collagen and elastin. The result is improved skin texture and laxity as well as a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, and acne scars. These channels also allow Hyaluronic Acid or other serums to be driven deep into the dermis, increasing the skin’s utilization of nutrients by up to 3000%.

Treatable Conditions
These conditions can be treated or improved with Microneedling:

  • Mild to moderate acne scarring
  • Crows feet and lip lines
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Loose and lax skin
  • Skin tone and texture
  • Pore size
  • Superficial pigmentation
  • Hypo-pigmentation
  • Sun damaged skin
  • Surgical scars
  • Stretch marks
  • Hair loss

Frequently Asked Questions About Microneedling Services

How does Microneedling work?

Microneedling treatment uses a handheld needle pen that is designed to administer controlled depth micro-injuries to the skin. This stimulates the skin’s natural repair process to produce collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are crucial proteins that play vital roles in maintaining the health an appearance of the skin. Here’s how each protein contributes to the health of your skin:

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin, making up about 80% of its dry weight. It forms the main component of the connective tissue in the skin and acts like a scaffold, providing structure, strength and resilience. Collagen helps the skin look firm and smooth. As we age, collagen production decreases, which can be treated with microneedling.

Elastin is the protein that gives your skin its elastic quality, allowing it to stretch and return to its original shape. This protein is critical for skin elasticity and flexibility, and while less abundant in your skin than collagen, it is essential for your skin’s youthful and bouncy properties. Elastin fibers can break down with age, excessive sun or pollution, and microneedling can help.

What areas of your body can safely be treated with microneedling?

Microneedling can be performed on any area of the body, except the lips and eyelids. The skin in these areas is too thin and microneedling can damage those areas.

Is Microneedling safe on an active acne breakout?

Microneedling is not recommended for areas with active acne breakouts. If the area is treated, the procedure can actually spread the bacteria. If a breakout is visible it is best to treat around the infected area.

Is Microneedling safe to use over broken blood vessels or spider veins?

Microneedling is safe to use over small veins close to the skin’s surface. If treating over this type of condition, healing usually takes a little longer, but should be complete in a few days. When treating an underlying condition like acne scars / wrinkles, it is best to repeat the procedure at monthly intervals 3-6 times. If a patient has severe rosacea, it is best to avoid this area as needling can aggravate the condition.

Is microneedling safe before dermal fillers or Botos?

Having microneedling is safe, even immediately before Botox and/or dermal fillers.

Is microneedling safe after dermal fillers or Botox?

Yes, but it is recommended to wait 2 weeks after Botox, and four weeks after dermal fillers before having the procedure.

Is microneedling safe for patients when breastfeeding or pregnant?

It is not recommended to do microneedling on patients that are pregnant, lactating and / or breastfeeding. Microneedling requires the application of numbing cream that can get absorbed into the blood stream and creates risk where none should be taken. Even if the procedure could be done without numbing cream, at this special time of life, the body needs all of its vitamins to feed the baby therefore; it’s best not to do microneedling at this time.

Can microneedling be performed on any skin color?

Microneedling is safe to use on all skin types and all skin colors. Compared to laser treatments there is very little risk of post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.

Is medical microneedling painful?

Microneedling can be uncomfortable especially in sensitive areas around the eyes and on the forehead. To decrease this discomfort, a numbing cream will be applied for 30 minutes prior to the treatment. Some patients say it feels like a rough microdermabrasion.

What is the down time after a microneedling treatment?

The inflammatory reaction post procedure is extremely short. Patients can expect redness to fade within 12 to 48 hours. Slight swelling, although rare, can occur around sensitive areas and last about the same amount of time. In order to reduce visible redness, we recommend hyaluronic acid after the procedure, and protect the skin with zinc-based sunblock and use a mineral make-up.

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid / HA is a magnet to moisture and has been promoted as a “fountain of youth” serum. HA helps the cells retain water for hydrated, plump and healthy skin.

What should patients avoid putting on the skin after a microneedling treatment?

To ensure the right healing environment, patients should avoid the use of AHAs (Glycolic Acid) or other “active” ingredients for 3 days. A good rule of thumb: If the client puts something on their skin and it stings, take it off.

Who is a good candidate?

Anyone that wants to improve skin irregularities and look younger.

How many microneedling treatments are needed, and how often can procedures be repeated?

Microneedling can be safely repeated every 4-6 weeks until the client achieves the desired results. Treatments done any sooner can cause increased inflammation, which can lead to an adverse side effect of pigmentation and the breakdown of collagen. The number of treatments required would depend on the skin condition being treated, client’s age, how the skin responds and the desired results. Most clients will begin to see results after the very first appointment and continue to improve for 3 months after their last treatment. In the case of wrinkles associates with aging skin, one or two refresher skin needling treatments are recommended every year.

  • Wrinkles / Collagen: 3+ treatments, 4 weeks apart
  • Pigmentation: 3+ treatments recommend with a lightning product
  • Hair Loss: 4 – 6 treatments with PRP
  • Skin Tightening: 3-6 treatments
  • Stretch Marks: 3-6 treatments
  • Scar Reduction and Acne Scars: 4-6 treatments are usually required. Studies have shown improved results using PRP over NON-PRP procedures, so use if possible.
How long does it take to see results from a microneedling treatment?

Most clients will start to notice positive changes within a couple of weeks after the initial treatment. As the skin renews itself and collagen regrows the real improvement in the skin’s appearance is beginning to be seen and will continue to improve for three months. Skin will appear firmer, more refined, smoother and more rejuvenated, and the luminosity of the complexion will improve.

Rull of thumb for skin improvement:

  • After 1st procedure: 20-40%
  • After 2nd procedure: about 50% of the 1st treatment
  • After 3rd procedure: about 50% of the 2nd treatment
  • In total: 50 – 70% overall improvement after only 3 treatments.
Do patients need to be careful in the sun after microneedling?

YES! It is recommended that a minimum SPF 30 physical (NOT chemical) sunblock is used at all times, even indoors, to protect the skin from harmful UV damage. Using sunscreen every day helps keep the skin youthful & prevents aging. Sunscreen is not just a beauty product; it is a necessity for healthy and young-looking skin.

What are the side effects that can occur from a microneedling procedure?

There are virtually no negative side effects from microneedling and the treated areas recover rapidly. On rare occasions, some patients can experience oozing and swelling during recovery, skin infections from the bacteria (very rare), herpes outbreaks, milia and acne flare-ups. Always have patients contact the office if any adverse reactions occur so they can be addressed immediately.

What are the chances of post microneedling infections occurring?

As long as microneedling is performed using a sterile needle under clinical conditions, infections are highly unlikely. The micro-wounds created during the procedure close within one hour of completion, which limits the chance of infection.