What setting should be used with micro-needling device?

Question

I understand that micro needling devices have different settings representing depth (ranging from .25-upwards of 3). Sometimes patients are asked to help select the settings. Can you give any guidance on making an informed choice? For example Is it possible to get any results at all from low settings (say, under 1.0) with micro needling and PRP? Conversely, is there a risk of injury at higher settings and if so what is the danger zone? What range is typical. Thanks!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

microneedling can do well for glow, but doesnt change the look of the skin significantly unles combined with lasers or done with radiofrequency.  the average depth of 1.5mm is good enough for most rejuvenation on the face and neck.

at home peels like cosmelan, enlighten and aerify along with dermarolling (emerage skin roller with anteage MD ampules weekly, see link) should be started now to prevent further aging.

For facial rejuvenation,  I would suggest a combination approach of 
1) skin care with products and PRP/microneedling
2) PDT light therapy few times a month with growth factors
3) laser treatments like clear and brilliant regularly and a few times a year Fraxel/halo Viva, Co2/Erbium
4) Sculptra injections a few times a year for collagen production with fillers like juvederm/restylane/belotero/radiesse/bellafill
5) thermage/ultherapy for yearly skin tightening with or without PDO or cone based instalift threads for lifting
6) botox every 2-3 months to stop movement lines and prevent lines at rest
7) deep microneedling RF like Fractora/morpheus8 for tightening of the skin
8) Vascular laser like vbeam/excel V or BBL forever young treatment every quarter (3-4 months)

Best, Dr. Emer.

Anshul Gambhir, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The settings required depend from person to person as well as the area being treated. It also depends on if scarring is being treated too. Typically, lower settings are used in delicate areas such as around the eyes. Normally we use a range of 1.0-1.5 for the forehead, and then anywhere from 1.5-2.5 on the cheeks and can even extend to 3 if we are trying to improve any problems areas such as scarring. There is a risk of injury at higher settings if done incorrectly and on the wrong patient. Patients of a darker skin tone are at higher risk of hyperpigmentation and treating aggressively with deeper settings can increase this risk even more. I hope this helps answer your question!

What setting should be used with micro-needling device?

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What setting should be used with micro-needling device?

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Everything you need to know about Microneedling

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