Microneedling: An Update

Abstract

Aesthetic treatments are on the rise and according to the American Society of Plastic
Surgery (ASPS), minimally invasive procedures comprise of approximately 89% of all cosmetic
treatments. Microneedling is one of the new kids on the block. Though it has been in the
market for a little over 10 years, it has become popular in the last 2 years.
Microneedling (MN) may be done with a handheld device which has a rolling cylinder
at one end. This cylinder has tiny medical grade stainless steel needles protruding from it. This
is rolled on the skin in all four directions to create multiple channels in the skin. Depth of the
channels created depend on the length of the needles on the rolling device. The length of the
needles ranges from 0.5 mm to 3 mm. These channels allow easy transdermal drug delivery and
this makes it useful for mesotherapy and platelet rich plasma (PRP). Microinjuries to the upper
dermis release numerous growth factors which cause neocollagenesis.