Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a newer skincare modality that involves stimulating our wound-healing mechanisms and prompting our bodies to create new skin cells, collagen, and elastin. If you don’t know, collagen and elastin are responsible for keeping your skin plump, elastic (elastin), youthful, as well as giving structure and support to our skin. Diminished production of collagen and elastin is known to cause fine lines, wrinkling and sagging of the skin.

It’s performed via a professional microneedling pen, and needles generally only go about .5- 1 mm into the skin. Basically, they are BABY needles, that move very rapidly so that less sensation is felt. Usually, a numbing cream is used to provide patient comfort for sensitive spots like the upper forehead, the upper lip, etc. The downtime is super minimal- with redness akin to that of a sunburn that lasts from 6-18 hours. Within 24 hours, you’re not supposed to apply anything to your skin (no make up or lotions), or workout that day, and use a fresh pillow case.

While the downtime is minimal, the results can be quite profound.

I’ve always had an interest in skincare, because I believe that when you look good, that can emanate forth into your confidence, demeanor, and your perception of yourself. Having a positive perception of yourself allows you to spread this to others and do GREAT things. Also, according to Chinese medicine, sagging of the skin, wrinkles, and dark circles (especially when they are pre-mature or accelerated signs of aging- or showing or faster than you’d want them to!) is a sign of poor metabolic health and possibly poor hormonal health. Chinese medicine believes that our outer appearance is reflective of what’s going on internally.

Before I started offering microneedling here at Root & Bloom in Longmont and Boulder Colorado, I had tried 4 sessions of microneedling to see its effectiveness on my own skin. I had a period of time where I had oily skin and severe acne, which caused me to have rough skin texture and “enlarged pores”. After just the 3rd session, I was noticing impressive results! My pores were shrinking, my skin texture was becoming more smooth, and the days after I felt I had a “glow”. An unexpected result also occurred- which was that my eyebrows started to grow in more full, and I no longer had to use eyebrow pens. I had noticed eyebrow thinning since mid 2020 after having COVID and had experienced lots of pandemic stress. I was super happy about the results! The more I learned about microneedling, the more I learned that it is VERY similar to cosmetic acupuncture and that the process of “stimulating the body to heal itself” or stimulating our wound-healing mechanisms by promoting collagen and elastin was very much in-line with acupuncture and other natural and holistic health therapies. Microneedling is actually incredibly similar to a technique used in traditional Chinese medicine called “plum blossoming”, where lots of tiny needles are inserted into the skin to clear inflammation, restore hair growth, etc.

So what’s the difference between cosmetic acupuncture and microneedling?!

Cosmetic acupuncture provides a better “lift” while naturally sculpting the face without surgery or toxins, and treats the underlying causes of “accelerated” aging signs. It can also help treat acne (usually in conjunction with herbs), enhance cell turnover, and add a more rosy glow to help dull skin tones. However, when it comes to smoothing skin texture and getting rid of acne scars, enlarged pores, dark spots or hair growth (especially eyebrow hair growth), microneedling for sure wins in terms of effectiveness!

I am so happy to be offering both Cosmetic (facial) Acupuncture AND microneedling to the Boulder and Longmont communities, as I also use and want access to these valuable services. :)

If your interests appeal to natural health and clean beauty, but you still also want effective skincare, email us or book online to get on our books! We’d love to meet you and look forward to seeing you BLOOM.