Microneedling
Controlled micro-channels stimulate the body's own regeneration processes and can improve skin texture, fine lines, visible pores and selected scars.
Controlled micro-channels stimulate the body's own regeneration processes and can improve skin texture, fine lines, visible pores, and selected scars. Skin quality is not determined by its surface alone. Collagen structure, elasticity, and natural regeneration processes influence how smooth, firm, and even the skin appears. In microneedling, very fine micro-channels are created in the skin in a controlled way. This targeted stimulus activates repair and remodelling processes and can support new collagen formation. Unlike a classic facial treatment, the result does not arise solely immediately after treatment. The skin changes gradually during the subsequent regeneration. At Clinic Selnau in Zürich, treatment depth and intensity are chosen according to skin area, skin condition, and treatment goal.
Our Approach
Microneedling is a controlled regenerative treatment.
What matters is not treating as deeply or aggressively as possible. Different skin areas and skin changes require different treatment depths. Skin type, sensitivity, and individual regeneration, too, need to be considered.
More depth does not automatically mean more effect. What matters is adapting the regenerative stimulus to the skin and the treatment goal.
Which Skin Is Suited to Microneedling?
Microneedling can be used for different structural skin changes. These include, in particular:
- Irregular skin texture
- Fine lines
- Enlarged-looking pores
- Selected superficial acne scars
- Superficial scars
- Sun-changed skin
- Declining skin quality
Not every skin change, however, is suited to microneedling. For active inflammation, certain skin conditions, or more pronounced scars, other treatments can be required.
How Does Microneedling Work?
During treatment, very fine needles create controlled micro-channels in the skin.
These small injury stimuli activate natural repair mechanisms. As part of these processes, various messenger substances are released, and remodelling processes within the skin are stimulated. New collagen formation, too, can be supported.
The micro-channels themselves close again. The subsequent regeneration and remodelling processes, by contrast, take significantly longer. The result, therefore, develops over weeks and, in some cases, months.
Treatment Depth & Skin Area
Not every area of the face has the same skin thickness.
The treatment goal, too, influences the necessary depth. A treatment for general improvement of skin texture, for example, differs from a targeted treatment of selected scars. Depth, therefore, is not set uniformly. It is adapted to area, skin condition, and desired effect.
Microneedling for Pores & Skin Texture
Visible pores depend, among other things, on sebum production, skin texture, genetics, and elasticity.
Microneedling can improve the surrounding skin texture and thereby contribute to a more even appearance. Pores, however, cannot be completely removed. They are a natural part of the skin. The aim is not pore-less skin. It is a more even skin texture, in which pores appear less dominant.
Microneedling for Fine Lines
Fine lines can result, among other things, from ageing processes, sun exposure, and changes in skin structure.
Through regenerative stimulation, microneedling can help gradually improve skin quality. For more pronounced signs of skin ageing or stronger structural changes, other techniques can be more suitable. Laser skin resurfacing, for example, offers a different mechanism of action and can represent an alternative depending on the starting point.
Microneedling for Scars & Acne Scars
Selected superficial acne scars can respond to microneedling.
Acne scars, however, differ considerably in shape and depth. Deep, sharply defined, or fixed scars often require a different or combined treatment concept. For more pronounced changes, a targeted assessment under scars & acne scars should therefore first be performed. It is not the diagnosis "acne scar" that decides the treatment. The structure and depth of the individual scar determine which technique makes sense.
Microneedling or HydraFacial?
A HydraFacial focuses mainly on cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration.
Microneedling pursues a different goal. Here, controlled regenerative stimulation within the skin is the primary focus. Where hydration and an immediately more well-cared-for skin appearance are desired, HydraFacial can make sense. For structural changes, fine lines, or selected scars, microneedling can be more suitable.
Microneedling or Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels work through selected substances and controlled exfoliation of defined skin layers.
Microneedling, by contrast, generates a mechanical regeneration stimulus. For keratinisation, superficial blemishes, or an uneven complexion, a chemical peel can be a focus. For skin texture, fine lines, and selected scars, microneedling can be more sensible.
Microneedling or Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Both techniques can address regenerative processes and structural skin changes but work differently.
With microneedling, the stimulus is created mechanically through controlled micro-channels. With laser skin resurfacing, energy is introduced in a targeted way into defined skin layers. Which method makes sense depends, among other things, on skin type, the type and extent of the change, desired intensity, and acceptable recovery time. Neither method is inherently the better treatment. The indication decides.
Preparation
Before microneedling, the skin is assessed.
Active inflammation, open skin areas, or certain acute skin changes can argue against immediate treatment. Current skincare, medications, previous treatments, and sun exposure can also be relevant to planning. For sensitive or irritated skin, it can make sense to first stabilise the skin barrier.
The Treatment
Before starting, the skin is cleansed and prepared.
The treatment area is then systematically treated with the microneedling system. Intensity is adapted to the skin area and treatment goal. Depending on the treatment, the skin can appear red and become more sensitive during the process. Treatment duration depends on the size and number of treated areas.
After Treatment
Immediately following microneedling, redness of the skin is to be expected.
Depending on intensity, a feeling of warmth, mild swelling, a feeling of tightness, or temporary dryness can additionally occur. The skin barrier then needs time to regenerate. During this phase, the skin should be cared for as gently as possible. Intensive active ingredients and other irritating treatments should be paused according to individual recommendations.
Sun & Skin Protection
Following microneedling, the treated skin should be consistently protected from intensive UV radiation.
Sun protection is an important part of aftercare. This applies particularly during the early regeneration phase, and for skin types prone to pigment shifts. Strong sun exposure should also be considered before treatment.
How Many Treatments Make Sense?
The number of sessions depends on the treatment goal and the starting situation.
A single treatment can already bring about a change in skin quality. For structural skin changes or scars, however, a series is often sensible. Between sessions, the skin needs sufficient time for regeneration and remodelling processes. More treatments at short intervals do not automatically speed up these biological processes.
Result
Once regeneration is complete, the skin can appear smoother, more even, and structurally improved.
Since microneedling uses the body's own remodelling processes, the result develops gradually. It should therefore not be assessed solely based on the first few days after treatment. How pronounced the change is depends on skin condition, treatment goal, intensity, and individual regeneration.
Microneedling is not meant to artificially change the skin. It sets a controlled stimulus so that the skin can use its own regeneration processes.
Long-Term Skin Quality
Microneedling can be part of a long-term skin concept.
It does not, however, prevent natural skin ageing. Sun exposure, ageing processes, lifestyle, and individual predisposition continue to act on the skin. Within medical cosmetics, HydraFacial, chemical peels, or individually coordinated medical facial treatments can additionally make sense. For more pronounced collagen loss, injectable biostimulators can represent a complementary or alternative approach. For more pronounced structural changes, treatments from skin & laser can be considered.
Consultation
Before microneedling, we assess skin type, skin texture, and the change to be treated at Clinic Selnau in Zürich.
We clarify whether microneedling is suited to the respective treatment goal, and what intensity seems sensible. For more pronounced scars & acne scars, pigmentation, or structural signs of skin ageing, we check whether other techniques or laser skin resurfacing are more suitable.
We discuss the likely number of sessions, treatment intervals, recovery time, skincare, and sun protection.
The aim is not to treat as intensively as possible. It is to set a controlled regenerative stimulus that suits the skin and the desired result.