Microneedling Vs. Firming Serums
As you age, the skin changes. You might see more fine lines or areas where the skin isn’t as firm as it once was. Exposure to the sun, pollution, dehydration, and stress can accelerate the aging process.
Luckily, we live in an era with abundant skincare solutions to slow and reverse the signs of aging. Today’s article is for you if you desire firmer, tighter skin. We will discover the skin-firming benefits of microneedling and face-firming serums. Keep reading to learn more about:
- What is microneedling?
- What is microneedling good for?
- What is a firming face serum?
- Firming serums vs. microneedling (Spoiler: you don’t have to choose!)
- What should I put on my face after microneedling?
- Professional microneedling serums from NassifMD®
Let’s jump into this exciting topic!
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a cosmetic or medical treatment that involves the insertion of thin needles into the top layer of skin. The needles create small areas of damage, which stimulates the rejuvenation process in the skin. As the skin heals, it produces more collagen and elastin proteins, which helps firm the skin and give it a younger-looking appearance.
Microneedling can deliver medications or allow skin serums or treatments to penetrate more deeply. At-home microneedling often involves a patch containing tiny needles applied to a specific area of the skin.
The face is the most common area for microneedling, especially for cosmetic reasons, but microneedling can also benefit other areas of the body. You may require multiple treatments to achieve the desired result.
Minimally Invasive Skin Procedure
Procedures are typically offered by trained practitioners at health care facilities, medical spas, or dermatologist offices. Unless you have a patch from your provider, trying microneedling at home is not recommended because of the risks of side effects such as bruising, scarring, or infections.
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure and is safe and effective when performed correctly. When compared with other resurfacing treatments, microneedling isn’t as invasive. It doesn’t remove the epidermis, so recovery time is shorter. However, it’s not for everyone, so be sure to talk with your doctor if you have a skin condition or medical issue.
Microneedling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is offered in a safe, nourishing environment at NassifMD® Medical Spas. Be sure to follow all treatments with a firming serum or microneedling serum (more on serums below).
What Are the Benefits of Microneedling?
We’ve already touched on some of the microneedling benefits of skin rejuvenation and treating medical conditions. People turn to microneedling for various reasons, but the top reasons concern the desired tightening and firming benefits. The primary reasons for microneedling include:
- Microneedling for skin tightening
- Microneedling for loose skin
- Microneedling for sagging skin
Next, let’s look at some ways microneedling can enhance facial rejuvenation and firm the skin.
Stimulates Elastin and Collagen Production
In the medical literature, microneedling is called percutaneous collagen induction therapy because it stimulates collagen production. Collagen is the primary structural protein in the skin.
The microneedles create small injuries to the skin, stimulating wound healing. Through this process, collagen increases, as does elastin, the protein that allows skin to stretch and return to its shape, like a rubber band stretching and releasing.
The increase in the collagen and elastin proteins provides many benefits to skin health and appearance.
Treats Wrinkles and Fine Lines
The increase in collagen and elastin allows the skin to hold on to more moisture, decreasing appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. More collagen means smoother-looking skin!
Tightens Loose Skin and Crepey Skin
Skin rejuvenation and increased collagen from microneedling help tighten the skin and reduce a crepey appearance. As you get older and collagen and elastin degrade, the skin becomes thinner. Restoring these proteins helps thicken the skin, which again smooths loose skin and tightens it.
Improves Mild Scars and Stretch Marks
The microneedling process and skin healing can help treat acne scars, mild burns, stretch marks, and hair loss.
So, does microneedling tighten skin? Yes, it does. However, microneedling isn’t always accessible or affordable, so firming serums are another option for skin firming benefits.
What Do Firming Serums Do?
Skin-firming serums can help firm and tighten the skin, much like microneedling but they work through different mechanisms. Serums are noninvasive, topical products that contain active ingredients with skin-firming properties.
With bioactive compounds from plants, firming serums support skin hydration, collagen production, and epidermis health. Active ingredients you may see in skin serums include:
- Vitamin A (retinol)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Fatty acids
- Antioxidants
- Peptides
- Hyaluronic acid
Skin firming serums can be used as part of the daily skincare routine or as a serum for microneedling after dermatologic and medical spa treatments. Apply them to the face, under the eyes, the neck, and décolleté.
Improves the Skin’s Elasticity, Tightness, and Tone
Facial serums have multiple anti-aging benefits by supporting hydration, collagen production, and skin tightening. They can:
- Reduce skin sagging
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Improve skin thickness and elasticity
- Even the skin tone and texture
- Provide antioxidant protection against free radicals
- Promote healthy skin
Are Firming Serums Better Than Microneedling?
Both microneedling and firming serums are beneficial for skin firming and tightening. What you choose may depend on your skin health, goals, comfort, budget, and other factors.
Whether or not you choose to have microneedling treatments, you can still benefit from regular use of facial serums. And, if microneedling isn’t for you, serums alone can still provide skin-firming benefits.
Can Firming Serums Be Used with Microneedling?
Dr. Nassif recommends the use of firming serums after and between microneedling treatments. Some medical spa practitioners recommend microneedling with hyaluronic acid or using hyaluronic acid after microneedling. You’ll also see recommendations for retinol after microneedling.
You’ll want to choose a formula with quality, active ingredients to enhance the treatment and support the skin healing process while keeping the skin moisturized and protected.
What to Use After Microneedling
We’ve curated the best products to use after microneedling from NassifMD® facial plastic surgeon skincare. These are the same products Dr. Nassif recommends after treatments, including microneedling, at NassifMD® Medical Spas.
Best Skin Firming Serums
- NassifMD® Hydro-Screen Serum – This is the best face-firming serum for everyday use and after medical spa treatments to repair, firm, and protect the skin, making it younger and healthier. Key ingredients include hyaluronic acid, retinol, and antioxidants to stimulate collagen production, improve hydration, and tighten the skin. Clinical results are seen in as little as five weeks!
- NassifMD® Deco-Lift Neck & Décolleté Firming and Lifting Complex – This is the best moisturizer after microneedling or for targeting the tightening and contouring benefits specifically to the neck and décolleté areas. The formula combines antioxidants, peptides, and glycolic acid in a lightweight moisturizing gel to rejuvenate and lift sagging skin on the neck and chest.
- NassifMD® Age Defying Neck & Décolleté Serum – This option is another in our collection of best skin-firming serums, targeting the delicate skin of the neck and décolleté. These areas are more prone to thinning, crepiness, and laxity, but firmness. Still, even texture can return in as little as four weeks of use because of the synergy of peptides, antioxidants, and niacinamide in the formula.
Both microneedling and firming serums are beneficial for skin health and rejuvenation. While not everyone will want to invest in microneedling, everyone can benefit from the firming, toning, and tightening properties of NassifMD® Skincare, especially a daily serum, as part of your skincare routine.
References
- Hou, A., Cohen, B., Haimovic, A., & Elbuluk, N. (2017). Microneedling: A Comprehensive Review.Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 43(3), 321–339.
- Spataro, E. A., Dierks, K., & Carniol, P. J. (2022). Microneedling-Associated Procedures to Enhance Facial Rejuvenation.Facial plastic surgery clinics of North America, 30(3), 389–397.
- Sitohang, I. B. S., Sirait, S. A. P., & Suryanegara, J. (2021). Microneedling in the treatment of atrophic scars: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.International wound journal, 18(5), 577–585.
- Michalak, M., Pierzak, M., Kręcisz, B., & Suliga, E. (2021). Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review.Nutrients, 13(1), 203.
