Microchanneling and microneedling sound very similar, but despite the similarity in their names, they are completely different techniques that are used by estheticians to achieve similar results, that is, better skin.
Both are non-invasive cosmetic treatments and hence are extremely popular among patients who do not want to go for plastic surgery, chemical peels or laser treatment.
Microchanneling vs. Microneedling – Similarities and Differences
Microneedling uses extremely thin needles to puncture tiny holes into your skin. This can sound very scary especially to people that are afraid of needles but be assured that it is a non-invasive skin treatment. The esthetician will use a handheld device, generally a derma roller and drag it across your face.
The procedure is considered to be extremely effective against skin blemishes, scars, visible pores, hyperpigmentation, sunburns etc. The science behind this procedure is simple. When your skin is punctured, the healing process of your body is activated automatically. More collagen is produced which means that new skin will be generated quickly. This automatically reduces the blemishes and improves the skin texture.
People with anti-ageing issues or who want to remove scars often opt for micro-needling these days. It goes without saying that the procedure works better than the anti-ageing creams.
After the procedure is over, the skin expert may also apply a skin serum to accelerate collagen production.
Microchanneling is often considered to be advanced microneedling. The procedure helps improve surgery scars, acne scars and stretch marks. So as already mentioned, the results achieved with both the procedure is same.
The upper layer of your skin is punctured in channeling too to activate the healing hormones in your body. The device used in microchanneling is different to the one used in microneedling. The skin experts use the linear stamping technique to create consistent microchannels which means less redness and less inflammation.
Microchanneling is a 3-stage process. The first stage is creating microchannels using microneedles next healing process is simulated and lastly accelerating the kin smoothing process.
Where can you get Microchanneling and Microneedling treatments?
You can get these treatments done at a spa or a dermatologist’s chamber. The treatment needs to be done by an expert who knows what he is doing so that you do not end up with damaged skin.
Before getting the treatment, make sure that the person is licensed to practice the treatment on others because things can go horribly wrong otherwise. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Do the treatments hurt?
Most patients have complained to no to minimal pains while getting this treatment. These are non-invasive procedures so you do not have to worry about extreme pain or discomfort after the treatment.
At most you may feel that your skin is too tight a few days after the procedure but it will soon be gone once the healing process is complete. In case you feel any kind of pain there are topical creams available that can numb the pain and make your skin grow faster.
What is the downtime for the procedures?
Unlike laser treatments and cosmetic surgeries, there is hardly any downtime involved in these treatments. Microneedling may need you to rest for a day or two. Since the process uses a derma roller, if not performed by an expert there is a chance of it tearing your skin which will take some time to properly heal. Anyway, since this process does not create consistent microchannels, you may have sat it out for few days for the redness to go away.
Micro channeling, on the other hand, has almost no downtime. All you need to do is wait for 90 minutes top and then you can back to your normal lifestyle.
Who can get these treatments?
Anyone with skin disease can benefit from these treatments. Both these treatments are healing procedures that just give a push to the healing mechanism in your body to make produce more collagen.
The cell regeneration rate reduces as you get older and hence you get the anti-ageing signs on your skin. But these treatments just softly create holes in your skin and damage the out issue to stimulate the cell generation process.
Anybody who has stubborn scars has serious acne problems or stretch marks etcetera, can get this treatment to make yourself feel and look young again! Even helpful for dry skin!
There is no age bar to getting these treatments. Both these procedures are safe for people of all ages. Black or white, the skin color does not matter either!