SkinPen Precision System Microneedling Chicago
The concept of microneedling for facial rejuvenation, also known as collagen induction therapy, is not a new technique. In fact, microneedling was first described in the 1950’s by the French physician, Michael Pistor, who advocated for the procedure to increase collagen and elastin, or substances in the skin that improve the youthfulness of the skin. The technique is minimally invasive and painless, using tiny needles to penetrate the top layer of skin hundreds of times in order to wound the skin and trigger the healing process. The precise small needle punctures in the skin induce your skin to produce more collagen and elastin, or the building blocks of youthful and rejuvenated skin. Collagen and elastin are important because they are proteins in the skin that provide structure, support, and strength. These are all key components of youthful skin and attributes that we lose as we age, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin.
The microchannels that are created are also beneficial because they allow the penetration of topical skin products such as growth factor serums and or when microneedling is combined with plasma rich protein (PRP).
The SkinPen precision system is the only FDA cleared device for microneedling in the US and is the only microneedling device used at the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR MICRONEEDLING?
The SkinPen microneedling device has been FDA cleared for the treatment of acne scars of the face, however, other indications include treatment for facial rejuvenation. The face is typically one of the first parts of our body to show signs of aging, often in the form of frown lines, smile lines, crow’s feet, or forehead furrows. Wrinkles in the face can give you the appearance of being perpetually tired or angry. As we age, our skin thins and the quantity and quality of the structural components decrease, such as collagen and elastin. Microneedling has been shown to increase the thickness of the dermis or skin by 0.5 mm.
Microneedling is one tool in the plastic surgeons armamentarium for facial rejuvenation. Many patients also combine good skin care products like ZO skin health, Botox, fillers, and laser treatments to improve and maintain the youthfulness of their skin.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CONSULTATION
When you schedule a consultation with the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago, you will speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will review your aesthetic goals with you and perform a facial aesthetic evaluation to see if you are a good candidate for microneedling. Be prepared to discuss your current skin care regimen and your long term aesthetic goals.
HOW IS MICRONEEDLING PERFORMED?
Although minimally invasive facial rejuvenation treatments seem like very simple procedures, it is always important to have an expert board-certified plastic surgeon perform the procedures or a certified aesthetician under the direction of a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Microneedling is performed in the office by your plastic surgeon or designated aesthetician. Your plastic surgeon or aesthetician will determine the optimal technique and settings for the SkinPen microneedling device based on your aesthetic goals. First, your face will be cleansed and numbing medication will be applied to the skin to be treated. Once the skin is anesthetized, the microneedling procedure will begin. The SkinPen device creates hundreds of micro punctures of the skin that are both painless and minimally invasive. After the treatment, post procedure skin care products are applied to the treatment area. The treatment time is usually 30 to 45 minutes and post procedure instructions are provided afterwards. Recovery after the treatment is typically 2 to 3 days, it is important to follow your post procedure instructions closely. Patients usually have 3 to 6 treatments at 4 to 6 week intervals.
RECOVERY AFTER MICRONEEDLING
Recovery after microneedling is typically 2 to 3 days, after that timeframe patients may resume their normal level of activity. It is important to avoid sun exposure or soaking the treated area in a pool or bathtub for the 3 days after the treatment. Also avoid skin care treatments such as facials until after 4 weeks from the procedure date. Be sure to follow your post procedure instruction carefully.
The results of microneedling are not typically apparent right away. It may take 2 to 3 weeks to see the full effect of treatment and if additional treatments are planned, you won’t see the full effect until all the treatments are performed. Many patients schedule at least 3 treatments at 4 to 6 week intervals to improve the quality and texture of their skin.
POTENTIAL RISKS OF MICRONEEDLING
The SkinPen microneedling device has been thoroughly tested and is the only FDA-cleared device on the market. As with any treatment, there are potential risks that can be associated with any procedure. The potential risks of microneedling may include:
- Redness, bruising, or swelling at the treatment site
Overall, microneedling is a safe and effective treatment for acne scars and facial rejuvenation. As non-invasive aesthetic procedures are becoming more popular and more unqualified practitioners are performing them, it is important for patients to do their homework. We recommend finding a practice where a board certified plastic surgeon or his/her trained associate is performing the procedure.
WHAT DOES MICRONEEDLING COST?
The average cost of microneedling ranges from $350 to $450. This can also vary depending on if PRP or other services are performed at the same time. Be sure to discuss all costs associated with your treatment during your consultation.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
If you would like to treat acne scarring, reduce wrinkles, reduce the signs of aging and have a more youthful appearance, schedule a consultation with the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago. You will speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon or aesthetician who will discuss your specific aesthetic goals and determine if microneedling is right for you.
All surgical procedures by the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago are performed at top hospitals in Chicago and CMS or AAAASF-certified surgical centers for safety.
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Beautiful and natural breast augmentation for this athletic and active patient. Periareolar incision, dual plane sub-muscular placement, 250 cc gel implants, and post-op 6 months. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gummybear #gelimplants #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Buccal fat pad removal can be an effective way to reduce the size of the cheeks and narrow the lower 1/3 of the face. This is a great example of how buccal fat pad removal can achieve facial balancing. In this case the patient’s facial configuration went from round to more heart-shaped and angular. Additionally, in the after photos, the face appears less bottom heavy and the maximal width of the face is at the cheek bones and not around the mouth. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #buccalfatpad #buccalfat #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Imagine how much more you could physically do if you lost 10-15 lbs of excess abdominal skin. In this case we did liposuction of the abdomen and flanks and an abdominoplasty. The patient didn’t want liposuction of the back or 360 degree liposuction, which we typically perform in these cases. Happy for this patient and her dramatic transformation. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #tummytuck #abdominoplasty #liposuction
How much younger does this mid-70 year old patient look? 10 or 15 + years younger? This patient underwent an eyelid lift, facelift, neck lift and facial fat transfer. Pay close attention to the eyes, jawline and neck. Look at the angular jawline and youthful neck that we were able to create post-operatively. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #facelift #deepplanefacelift #necklift #eyelidlift #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Happy for this patient and her 6 week post-operative result from a breast augmentation. We placed a 400 cc gel implant, in a sub-muscular plane, and through a periareolar incision. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gelimplants #mastopexy #gummybear #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Happy for this patient and her transformation. This patient is transfemale who underwent facial feminization. Can you tell what surgeries were performed? Still have to perform the tracheal shave. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #craniofacialsurgery #FFS #facialfeminization #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
6 month follow-up on a mastopexy augmentation case. The patient’s goals were to have her breasts lifted and the volume restored after pregnancy. No patient has perfectly symmetric breasts, which is normal. This case was challenging because of the asymmetries of the nipples; trying to lift, augment, and level the nipples all at the same time is difficult. Many variables to control but the post-operative photos demonstrate improved symmetry with all of the patient’s goals achieved. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #mastopexy #breastlift #gummybear #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
6 month follow-up on a challenging revision rhinoplasty case. The patient had 3 prior rhinoplasty surgeries by another surgeon and was not happy with the aesthetics of the dorsum or tip. In the pre-operative profile views, you can see a dorsal hump, under-projected tip, and abnormal alar-columellar relationship. On frontal view, there are asymmetries of the dorsal aesthetic lines and C-shape deviation of the nose. The goal of the surgery was to make the nose straighter, improve the dorsum and tip proportions, increase tip projection, and improve the alar-columellar relationship. Look closely at the post-operative profile views and how the tip, nostril and columella appear. Posted with permission.
#plasticsugery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #revisionrhinoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Many ways to do a breast augmentation but the periareolar incision is a great option because the scar becomes imperceptible as the scar matures. This patient is 6 months out from a breast augmentation and the access incision we made was at the bottom border of the nipple areolar complex. It’s hard to see the scar at this point and the scar gets even better at the 12-18 month mark. Also, nipple sensation is unaffected after surgery. The other incisions that plastic surgeons use include an incision underneath the breast, at the breast fold, or the armpit. Each incision has their pros and cons but the periareolar is my preferred approach.
#plasticsurgeon #plasticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gummybearimplants #breastimplants #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery #cosmeticsurgery
Challenging #gynecomastia case where the patient had grade 2/3 gynecomastia or male breasts with excess skin and significant asymmetries. The challenging part of this case relates to how to manage the excess skin and achieve a symmetric result. Do you remove the excess skin which will leave scars or try to contract the skin with minimally invasive techniques? In this case I performed liposuction, removed the breast tissue through a nipple incision, and performed #Renuvion to facilitate contraction of the skin. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #gynecomastia #liposuction #Renuvion #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Nasal reconstruction for a patient who had a full thickness defect or hole of the left nostril after Mohs surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma. The patient was missing all three layers of the nose and if you look closely, you can see into the nose and visualize the septum. We re-built the nose using tissue from his forehead or a #forehead flap. In the post-operative photos, you can see a nice reconstruction of the nostril with restored form and function. Additionally, the reconstructed side is symmetric with the unaffected side. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #nasalreconstruction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
3 month follow-up on this patient who wanted improvement in the projection of her chin and definition of the jawline. The patient has retrogenia or a small chin and underwent #chinaugmentation with a #genioplasty. In the pre-operative photos, you can see the chin is short and recessed and therefore I moved the chin forward and down. In the post-operative photos you can see improvement in the projection of the chin, a more defined jawline and neck, and a more balanced lower 1/3 of the face. This case highlights the advantages of a genioplasty versus a chin implant, a chin implant cannot lengthen and advance the chin to the same extent that a genioplasty can. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #genioplasty #chinaugmentation #craniofacialsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Gym or surgery? This patient underwent hi-def liposuction or abdominal etching to improve the contour of the abdomen and to define the abdominal muscles. In the post-operative photos, the patient has natural washboard abs. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #abdominaletching #hidefliposuction #liposculpture #liposuction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Long term follow-up on a revision mastopexy augmentation case. The patient had a previous augmentation with gel implants and wanted the implants removed, breasts lifted, and re-augmented with fat but downsized. The patient underwent explantation of the implants, a capsulectomy, a breast lift, and fat transfer to augment the breasts. In the post-operative photos, you can see the breast/nipples are lifted to a more aesthetic position and we were able to maintain volume, although smaller, with fat transfer alone. This patient has a very natural result using only fat from her abdomen to restore volume. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastlift #breastaugmentation #mommymakeover #fattransfer #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
1 year follow-up on a primary rhinoplasty. This patient’s goals were a straighter profile, smaller and more refined tip, and a nose that was not drastically different. In the post-operative photos you can see the dorsal hump was removed and the nasal bones narrowed, the tip was refined, rotated, and projected more. Overall, still her nose but more refined and aesthetic. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #nosejob #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Early follow-up on a #facialmasculinization surgery for a trans male who wanted to improve the contour of the lower 1/3 of the face and neck. The patient underwent a sliding #genioplasty, custom #mandibularimplants, and #neckliposuction to achieve his goals. We used computer software to design the cuts in the bone and #3Dprinting to make the custom mandibular implants. Can you see the improved contour of the chin, jawline, and neck in the post-operative photos? Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #craniofacialsurgery #genioplasty #chinimplants #facialimplants #facialmasculinization #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
1 year follow-up on a patient who wanted fuller and more symmetric breasts after having deflation with pregnancy. The patient is athletic and therefore it was very important to her to have a smaller augmentation that appeared natural. The patient underwent a breast augmentation with gel implants (250 cc) through a periareaolar incision and in a submuscular plane. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #breastaugmentation #gummybear #breastlift #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
This patient had a full thickness nasal defect of the left nostril after a skin cancer was removed by our Dermatology colleagues. Even though the wound is relatively small, this is a challenging reconstruction because all layers of the nose have to be rebuilt without making the reconstructed area bulky and noticeable. Also, you have to make the area strong enough so that the nostril doesn’t collapse as the area heals and scars. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #skincancer #nasalreconstruction #nosejob #rhinoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
A 1 year follow-up on a patient who wanted a rhinoplasty to remove the dorsal hump and improve the aesthetics of her tip. In this case the dorsal hump was removed, the nose made straighter, the tip refined, and the tip rotated and projected more. Her new nose fits her face without overtly changing the ethnic features of her face. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #rhinoplasty #ethnicrhinoplasty #nosejob #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Proud of our research team for getting this important manuscript published in the #1 plastic surgery journal in the world. In this study, we looked at the published literature to develop guidelines on how to treat visual impairments related to droopy eyelids and excess skin of the eyelids.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #blepharoplasty #eyelidlift #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
