MICROCHANNELING VS. MICRONEEDLING: WHICH IS BEST FOR ME?

Skin needling procedures are a staple among non-surgical cosmetic enhancement treatments. They can often provide patients with accelerated results that help to correct common imperfections in the skin. Issues like fine lines, dry skin, visible pores, hyperpigmentation, and scarring can be addressed with procedures like micro-needling, which is one of the original forms of Collagen Induction Therapy. Micro-channeling is another form of skin needling that is similar to micro-needling and can help to achieve similar results.

The procedure, as the name suggests, uses very thin needles - typically no thicker than a strand of hair - to puncture the skin using a hand-held medical device. These skin needling procedures can help promote rejuvenation by inducing cell turnover and helping deliver powerful serums into the skin. The result is often improved skin texture and appearance, which can often be visible almost immediately following treatment.

Talking to an aesthetic nurse or skincare expert can help you understand which is best for your unique concerns. The procedures are very similar, but use different devices to achieve the final result. Micro-needling procedures typical employ a roller device, which is dragged across the skin, whereas micro-channeling uses individual motions to deliver controlled punctures throughout the skin.

Micro-needling and micro-channeling, while very similar in application and benefits, have slight by significant differences that set them apart. Micro-needling is the original form of Collagen Induction Therapy and has been around since the mid-1990s. CIT also mirrors the concept behind acupuncture somewhat, which has a long history in medicine. Within the cosmetic community, micro-needling has been proven as an effective method of treating common skin conditions. While most patients tend to opt for rejuvenation of their face, the procedure is versatile enough to be performed on other areas, such as the arms or decollate.

Unfortunately, the roller pen that is often associated with customary micro-needling treatments can potentially cause additional harm to the skin. The vertical dragging approach that it requires can cause micro-tears along the skin, which can damage the area instead of improving it. This can be reduced by a highly-skilled aesthetician and a reliable device, but improvements have been made to help eliminate this concern.

Micro-channeling is often considered an elevated form of skin-needling. It provides a much-needed upgrade to the traditional approach while still maintaining the incredible results patients and practitioners love! The micro-channeling technique uses a pen-like device that delivers stamping motions to the skin. This allows for a more precise application while eliminating the potential for micro-tears. At Colorado Beauty RN®, we use the Pro-Cell Therapy device which utilizes a uniform vertical stamping design to gently yet effectively penetrate the skin.