Can you do Microneedling After Botox?
What is Botox?
Botox is a non-surgical procedure that is approved for application across the face. The treatment is used aesthetically to relax the facial muscles. Reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
The lines and wrinkles found on the face and the rest of the body are natural signs of ageing. Plenty of individuals find them charming or endearing. But for some, lines can make them feel aged and self-conscious. Botox provides the ability to regain a youthful appearance to the skin.
The treatment works by injecting botulinum toxin into the muscles in the face within the affected area. This chemical temporarily prevents the movement of the muscles. Allowing lines to soften and wrinkles to smooth out.
With many types of facial wrinkles, such as bunny lines, frown lines and crow’s feet, the wrinkles occur due to repeated facial expressions. The botox treatment holds the muscle in place when facial expressions are made, preventing the wrinkles from forming.
Procedure
Before starting the treatment, the face is cleansed. Whilst Botox typically doesn’t generate an uncomfortable amount of pain, numbing cream can be applied to the area to be treated.
The practitioner will then use a fine needle to inject the botulinum toxin into the muscles in the face. This will be repeated in different locations, depending on the preference of the treatment.
Typically the process is relatively quick and only takes around 10 minutes to complete. Clients won’t be able to instantly see the effects of the treatment as it takes around 2-3 days to heal. During this time, any swelling or bruising will also dissipate. The full effect of the botox should be seen around two weeks after receiving the treatment.
What is Microneedling?
Microneeding is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that is used to improve the appearance of the skin. The treatment is becoming increasingly popular due to its utility and effectiveness across all areas of the body.
The treatment can reduce the appearance of scars, dark patches of skin, encourage hair growth and plenty more cosmetic issues. Most commonly, it is applied to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve the quality and youthful appearance of skin across the face.
Microneedling works by creating microscopic punctures in the skin, which encourages the body to heal them with additional collagen and elastin. These two natural healing components help the skin look more plump and youthful. Collagen helps to fill in the gaps within wrinkled skin, and elastin pulls back the skin to its original shape.
Procedure
At-home microneedling is becoming increasingly popular, with kits available for sale online. Whilst the procedure is fairly safe, it is always best to receive treatment from a certified dermatologist or beautician for the best results.
At the beginning of your treatment, a numbing cream is applied to the area being treated or the entirety of the face. This helps to prevent pain caused by the tiny pricks of a needle. Depending on the size of the area being treated, a pen-shaped tool or microneedling device called a ‘dermaroller’ might be used to complete the procedure.
The dermaroller is typically used when the entire face is being treated. The tool comprises several microneedles that pinprick the skin as it rolls across. Whilst this may sound painful, the sensation is no more than a scratch as each needle creates a small puncture in the skin. The needles enter no further than surface-level depth to encourage healing on the top layer of skin.
Can you do Microneedling After Botox?
While both of these procedures are non-surgical, they involve puncturing the skin to initiate a particular response. The purpose of botox, as discussed, is to stabilise the muscle to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles with particular facial expressions. Microneedling generates a healing response in the skin by creating microscopic pinpricks across the face.
Both cosmetic treatments are proven to be highly effective in creating a youthful appearance for the face. However, combining one treatment immediately after the other may not create the result you are looking for.
Both treatments have a healing and processing period in which the cells and tissues need time to work. Botox is known to take up to three weeks to show the full effects of the treatment. This is because the substance needs to bind with the muscle to provide the hold to prevent lines and wrinkles. These effects will typically last up to three months before a top-up is required.
After receiving the botox treatment, it is generally recommended not to rub the face, avoid vigorous exercise and avoid sunbathing or saunas. The increased blood flow and sweating from these particular activities could diffuse the botox treatment away from the area where you want it to work.
For this particular reason, you should avoid microneedling immediately after botox. As discussed, holes in the skin encourage the healing process and provide collagen and elastin for healthier and younger-looking skin. However, a blood flow is required to deliver these products to the site of repair. Therefore, microneedling treatment could increase blood flow to the area where botox has been applied and dull or displace the effects of the botox treatment.
Final Thoughts
Both microneedling and botox are highly effective treatments in creating the appearance of younger-looking skin and reducing the visibility of lines and wrinkles. For this reason, it is usually best to stick to one treatment to assess its effects on your appearance.
You may find it useful to speak to a dermatologist or beauty practitioner in a formal consultation to help you find the best solution for your skin. They can inform you of the range of treatments available and how well they will create your desired appearance, and what the risks and benefits are. This will also cover whether other treatments can be combined during the process.
Heidi Rose Aesthetics is a beauty practitioner clinic based out of Cardiff. With 12 years of experience in non-surgical anti-ageing treatments, you will find the perfect solution to create the youthful look you desire. For more information on Botox, Microneedling or any other treatment available, visit their website today.