32 | CANADIAN LIVING NOVEMBER 2019
WHAT IS IT?
A treatment derived from the prac-
tice of acupuncture that consists
of perforating the skin with micro-
needles in the form of a roller, pen
or pad. “The goal is to create an
inflammatory response in the dermis
that stimulates the healing process
of the skin,” says Dr. Sylvestre. In
a clinical setting, the results can
achieve a reduction in wrinkles and
scars or simply more luminous skin.
A bonus is that, by creating small
holes in the skin, any products
applied afterward will penetrate
more deeply.CLINIC
VERSUS HOME
The main difference is in the nee-
dles. Clinicians use needles from
0.5 to 3 millimetres in length, which
they use to penetrate the dermal
layer and stimulate the production
of collagen, which in turn improves
the skin’s texture. At home treat-
ments offer needles that are 0.3 mil-
limetres long or less, so they can
only give the dermal layer a light
exfoliation. Patches inspired by this
treatment are another option for
home use. They offer tiny needles
containing a hydrating ingredient
that is gradually infused into the
skin, though these results may not
be comparable to the look you get
from microneedling.PRECAUTIONS
TO TAKE
To try microneedling at home,
obtain the proper tools at a clinic,
from a trusted aesthetician or off
the website only of a reputable
brand. “The needles need to be
sterilized and sharp, and the size,
down to the millimetre, needs to
be properly calculated,” cautions
Dr. Sylvestre. There are lots of
microneedling products for sale
online that are not necessarily safe,
so it’s important to be careful.These patches are dotted with small drops of
hyaluronic acid that penetrate the skin to plump
and smooth. Apply before bedtime and see a faint
difference in lines on the area that was treated the
next morning. They can be slightly uncomfortable
to put on, but they do get results!
NEOSTRATA Hyaluronic Acid Micro-Infusion Patches, $25, well.ca.WE
TESTEDMICRONEEDLING