I had my second treatment of micro needling with a pen device around 2 months ago and it literally killed my skin's elasticity, collagen, and fat. I had a nice skin before; just a few fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes when I smiled which was pretty normal for my age ( 45) and now I have wrinkles all around my face and when I smile looking like a clown. The esthetician who performed the 2 treatments did not have an explanation of why I have had these horrible results and just recommended to buy the skin care that they sell at the Dr. office ( of course it is super expensive) I have been using anti aging skin care by Eminence, getting Vitamins C facials every week, anti aging masques every day, and taking vitamins C and collagen; however, my skin is worst every day. Do not do it, you will regret it your whole life! I am super depressed and trying to go through this nightmare. Updated on 4 Aug 2017: I Just took these new pics for those that think that my previous pics are " fakes" and say that microneedling with a pen device can not cause skin damage in such short time...Well Ladies, YES, all my pics are totally real and YES, microneedling with a device can cause this damage in your skin. Unfortunately this is how my face looks today. I wish with all my heart that all this horrible experience was not real though. My skin has lost ALL its elasticity, collagen, and fat. Saggy skin and deep wrinkles under my cheeks, mouth, and chin. I also have big holes on my cheeks area and the marks of the pen. I literally look 30 years older :( Super depressing...I really wish that my body starts rebuilding " new collagen" soon. Updated on 6 Aug 2017: Since I have published my story here, I have received many messages from other women saying that they have had the same bad experience with this treatment. I wish more women shared their bad experiences with skinpen/dermapen in this website; it would avoid other women going through this nightmare. Most of the reviews here tell amazing experiences from this treatment and that is why I wanted to try it. Updated on 7 Aug 2017: My skin is getting thinner every day; it has not Lax and feels like a gum in my hands. Hope it stop getting worst . Please think Carefully before considering this treatment. I am feeling horrible about doing it to my myself ; I wish somebody had advised me of this bad results . Updated on 9 Aug 2017: My skin is getting worst everyday . Today are exactly 2 months mark from my second treatment. Please run away from this procedure. You will regret it enormously ! Updated on 11 Aug 2017: I wanted to post a few pics taken after the first treatment ( and before the second ) for those who have asked me why I decided to do a second treatment if I have had such horrible results. As you can see, my skin/ face looked pretty good until first 3 weeks after the first procedure. I had my second 28 days ( around 4 weeks ) after the first procedure . Updated on 15 Oct 2017: I have received some replies of people who state that they have done SkinPen with great results, but unfortunately none of them have posted " before/after" pics in their profiles. If there is anybody who has had good results after "SkinPen" treatments then I would LOVE to see pics showing the "good " results. Thanks! On the other hand, there are many people here that confuse "microneedling" administrated by derma rolls ( which most of time produces good results) with " microneedling administrated with a " SKIN-PEN" which was the one I received and got horrible results. Please be aware; they are 2 different treatments. Updated on 23 Oct 2017: It has been almost 6 months from my first SkinPen treatment and since many people have asked me how is my skin now, I decided to provide an update and share what products I have been used so far. Firstly, I would like to say that unfortunately my skin has not improved at all and at this point I am considering a Facial Fat Transfer procedure. I have spent around $1,400 in skin care products and ANYTHING has helped to improve the texture, elasticity, and/or collagen of my skin. Plus all the fat has melted down and my face looks like if I had lost 20 pounds which is not the reality. In fact due to the stress that all this situation has caused in my life, I have gained 5 pounds! Below are the products I have used in the last months: * skinceuticals: $528 - HYALURONIC ACID INTENSIFIER (H.A.), A.G.E. INTERRUPTER, SERUM 20 AOX+, RESVERATROL B E. *Skinfuse: ( SkinPen Protocol recommended skin care products). Total $ 500 POST PROCEDURE KIT ( $ 300) SURGE 1 Collagen Boost ( $200) * MediSkin : Anti-Aging Formula - Daily Pack $60 * Eminence : $ 325 Firm Skin starter set CITRUS & KALE POTENT C+E MASQUE AGE CORRECTIVE STARTER SET Coconut Masque ARCTIC BERRY PEEL & PEPTIDE ILLUMINATING SYSTEM I started using some oils and will provide an update on the results in a few weeks. Updated on 24 Oct 2017: In my last update, I forgot to mention that I also have tried Obagi Vitamin C and Retinol 1.0 and none of them worked for me. Both made my skin worst; more wrinkled and dried. I also would like to mention that the Skinfuse Collagen Boost has made my skin more wrinkled and more saggy. So, I discontinued all these products. Updated on 9 Nov 2017: After meeting with a few surgeons to discuss the options for the significant fat loss on my face, I decided to have a Facial Fat Transfer 3 days. My face is still super swollen and I am still recovering from the surgery. I will post pics of my new journey soon. As I have posted in my profile, for the last 6 months I have tried everything to improve the damages caused by Skinpen, but unfortunately NOTHING has helped. In the last week, I noticed that my face had reduced enormously and I was able to see my bonds and the food I was eating through my super thin skin. It was scary, very depressing, and hit my self esteem deeply. So, I decided to proceed with the surgery. I literally could not continue seeing my face in the mirror anymore. Below some pics from the day before of the surgery. I looked 20 years older than my age. Updated on 13 Nov 2017: Today I am a week from my first Facial Fat transfer. I am still super swellon and with bruises all around my face. I had my follow up with my doctor and everything looks good. I cannot wait to see my "new face" without bruises and a normal size! Getting super excited about it! As promised, here some pics. Updated on 14 Nov 2017: As you can see in the pics, the doctor needed to "rebuild" the lower area of my face including my jaw, chin, and cheeks. He added 60 Cc in total. Updated on 15 Nov 2017: I had a Hyperbolic Chamber session yesterday and it helped with my swelling a little, but it increased my sinus symptoms. Probably I will not try it again. Also I would like to mention that even when my skin & face look much better after the FFT, I still have the holes and the deep lines caused by the pen device. However, I am happy with the improvements on my face . I need to wait at least for a month to see the final results. Here some new pics from Day 8 and Day . Still bruises and swelling. Updated on 19 Nov 2017: Hello Ladies! For those who have been asking me, here some pics on Day 10,11,12. I would like to say that even when the "holes" and some deep lines ( 2 in my right cheek and 1 on my upper lip) created by the "Skinpen" are still there, I am VERY pleased with the results so far. My biggest issues (and pain) which were the severe facial fat loss, saggy skin, and deep wrinkles all over my face have been addressed with this procedure. However, the fears of loosing the fat injected in my face and getting my "former" face /skin back is always in my mind. I hope that those fears are only part of the trauma that Skinpen damage caused in my life and not a reality. Looking back, it is incredible how the damages caused by this "evil machine" have affected my life ( and family). I wish that this device providers were aware of how these treatments can ruin people's life forever. Updated on 22 Nov 2017: Update on Day 15 & 16: Love, Love my results! " Dr Z" is truly an artist! He re-build my face giving me back the confidence that Skinpen stole from 6 months ago! Updated on 23 Nov 2017: Dear Members, I just wanted to apologize to all who have been sending me emails in the last months. I have not responded for the simple reason that I did not even know that I had an " In Box" in my account! Just " discovered" it and found out many members that have been trying to reach me out with some concerns and questions about my treatments. Sorry about that! I am going to start replying soon! In addition, for those who have been asking me for the info of the surgeon who rebuild my face, his name is Dr Zekirovski. I just posted a review and started my new " Fat Transfer" journey providing more details about my experience. All the new info is in my profile. Happy Thanksgiving to ALL! Updated on 23 Nov 2017: Below pics of Day 17. I am finally healing inside and out. Bruises and swelling are almost totally gone and I start seeing myself in the mirror again! What amazing feeling is being able to recognize my facial features after all these months! As you can see in my pics, I still have the holes on my cheeks caused by Skinpen; also I still have the tracks/lines; however, they are less noticeable now ( I would say they are less deep). Updated on 8 Dec 2017: Here is an update on my FFT for those who have been asking me. I am very pleased with the results so far and I am VERY happy with Dr Z's job! I finally found a great and caring surgeon in Orlando! A BIG clap for him and his team!. For those who have been emailing me asking if the procedure has helped to improve my skin's texture and elasticity, I would say that the improvement in my skin's complexion has been around an %80. Unfortunately I still have holes and tracks from the pen device, but in terms of texture and elasticity my skin has improved enormously. Also, the horrible wrinkles and saggy skin all over my face have disappeared now. Which make SO happy because that was my biggest concern and what made me more depressed. Below pics from day 26 through day 33 Updated on 17 Dec 2017: Ladies, I just found this VERY interesting video in this website. It is a doctor in YN explaining how excessive microneedling and the inappropriate length of the needles can cause skin damage. It is the first time that I heard a doctor confirming this fact. I have always believed that the esthetecian who administrated my treatments used the wrong length of needles for my type of skin and that was the main reason why the damage of my skin/face was so severe. Below is the video. https://www.realself.com/video/how-excessive-microneedling-or-laser-treatment-can-damage-skin-and-avoiding-over-treatment Updated on 7 Jan 2018: Ladies, Below is the research on Skinpen and its regulations that I have been doing. Hope it helps all those women who, as myself, have been severely damaged by this treatment. Bellus Medical originally marketed and distributed SkinPen device as a dermabrasion product. However, in 2016 the FDA required Bellus Medical to register the SkinPen as a medical device because the microneedling stamp mechanism that punctures the skin “raises different questions of safety and effectiveness.” The FDA expressed concern about the length of the needles and the potential for damage to vessels and nerves.2 A number of states consider this type of microneedling to be a medical procedure rather than a cosmetic procedure, particularly when the needle depth exceeds 1.5 mm. This includes California, Illinois, and New York. In the state of Florida (where I received the treatment) regulations do not directly address microneedling, Chapter 477 of the Florida Cosmetology Act3 defines cosmetology as “the mechanical or chemical treatment of the head, face, and scalp for aesthetic rather than medical purposes, including, but not limited to, hair shampooing, hair cutting, hair arranging, hair coloring, permanent waving, and hair relaxing for compensation”. “For the purposes of this act “medical purposes” is defined as any form of bodily intrusion into the orifices, skin, muscles, or any other tissues of the body.” The following guidance is provided by the American Med Spa Association1 (AmSpa): Aestheticians need to be very careful when asked to perform microneedling treatments, because they could be considered to be medical treatments. Unless the depth is very shallow, most state boards would consider microneedling to be a medical treatment and, therefore, outside the scope of an aesthetician’s license. In addition, if a microneedling procedure is determined to be medical in nature, patients must receive the same treatment that they would during a regular doctor visit. That means that a patient history must be taken; a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant must see the patient prior to any treatment; and proper supervision and/or delegation of procedures must be observed. . Updated on 7 Jan 2018: Even when Dr Z did an outstanding job with the FFT procedure, unfortunately it did not repair the big holes and tracks that the pen device caused on my skin. They are like a "seal" on my face with what I will have to live ( and deal) my whole life. It is what I call the "unfixable" Skinpen damage. Below some pics. Updated on 7 Jan 2018: Ladies, Even when the FFT procedure did not "fix" the big holes and lines on my face, I am still satisfied with my results. Below some pics. Updated on 1 Feb 2018: Ladies, For those who have been asking me for an update, here some pics taken today. Next week will be 3 months from my FFT. Still happy with the results; however, I have the holes and deep lines created by the pen device yet. Also my chin ( it is NOT showed in the pics ) is getting saggiest every day ; same with my eyelids. Now I am researching for some treatments to improve those areas. Taking One day at a time! Updated on 8 Mar 2018: Hello ladies! Below some new pics of my FFT after 4 months! I am still happy about it! I also have made a research on foods and skin products that help with skin barrier, elasticity, and texture and have added it to my diet. I can see some improving in texture and elasticity; however, I have not collected enough data to confirm the improvings. I will post my findings and the food list soon. I am still dealing with the saggy skin and deep wrinkles in my chin area and eyelids ( areas in which Skinpen was also administrated) and hope to find the right treatment to address these areas. I did try a "trial" with Legacy Venus in my chin/neck, but I did not feel that it would help and did not continue the treatments. I will keep looking.
