Pinpoint Smooth…

Pinpoint Smooth

Food & Home Magazine – Santa Barbara – Winter 2013

By Cynthia Grancourt – Freelance Health & Beauty Writer

There’s a new kid on the block in the ever-changing landscape of aesthetics and it’s name is Micro-needling. Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), this innovative new procedure is making the rounds among the rich and famous in Hollywood (shout-out to Kim K!) and has since settled on our doorstep right here in Santa Barbara.

Needling the skin is actually an old technology that goes back to ancient times, but what makes it modernistic is that the depth of penetration of the needles is adjustable and the micro-needling pen is automated. The idea is that by inserting tiny needles into the skin, it will cause micro-trauma to the dermis, booting collagen production that can literally “pinpoint” and smooth away wrinkles, acne, stretch marks and scars all the while improving the skin’s color, tone and texture. The micro-pen works in tandem as a delivery system for a number of different topical solutions used in the treatment, the most popular being Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).

Hyaluronic Acid is ideal for tissue hydration, lubrication and cellular function. Platelet Rich Plasma in conjunction with micro-needling is better known as “The Vampire Facial”, in which a sample of your own blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge, the PRP separated and delivered back into your skin via the micro-pen. This stimulates the rebuilding of the underlying structural integrity of your skin because the internal essence of the blood inside you contains life-giving fundamental growth factors that are designed to restore and repair your skin.

To provide maximum comfort, a topical numbing cream is used before the procedure and the micropen, which is comprised of a sterile needle tip containing twelve tiny microneedles, is gently pressed against the skin while simultaneously gliding in one direction until the entire treatment area has been covered.  Treatment areas are not limited to the face; micro-needling can be used on all parts of the body, with a recommendation of 2 – 3 treatments required, spaced 6 – 8 weeks apart.  Another bonus is that it’s also affordable.  Dr. Griffin, Medical Director of The G Spa notes, “I love recommending automated micro-needling for patients as a medium-priced procedure that produces a great result with minimal down-time.”  This au courant  procedure is all the rage among the glitterati and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.  The fact that the results are amazing will definitely keep the trend alive.