Is it possible to have too much laser and microneedling on the face?

Question

What happens to your skin if you keep getting lasers/needling/RF frequently? Can you keep your collagen maxed out this way? Or, does it start to have negative effects? How often is too often? What is a good regime of lasers/needling/RF for collagen/texture maintenence?

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Anything can be abused, but if proper protocols are followed, you should be able to help build and maintain good skin. Maintenance with microneedling can be up to every 3 to 4 months for older skin and 6 to 12 months with younger skin. The depth of microneedling and use of PRP also guides the frequency of treatments. Heavily sun damaged skin may also need more frequent treatments. Radiofrequency is a very safe type of energy and does not have a known lifetime maximum amount, unlike X-ray and sun exposure. Laser treatments should be based on your skin type, what specifically is being treated, and what kind of laser is being used. Not all lasers are the same energy. Again, protocols are in place to provide the best treatment regiment and avoid damage with each specific device.

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

The most important fact is to entrust your specialist as to the timings of these procedures. Depending on the clinical picture, we will choose a device to help treat your problem. In regards to the best regime, your doctor will guide you as the number of sessions as well as integrating other treatments such as topicals/ cosmeticuals as well as BTx and fillers. Microneedling RF is an extension of microneedling with ‘energy’. Generation one devices such as Dermapen/ Skin Pen etc. use needles without heat to remodel collagen. Generation Two devices are microneedles that are not insulated, hence heat is delivered along the length of needles. Examples include Secret RF and Intensif. Generation Three devices use insulated needles to deliver heat at the point of the needle. Examples include Infini RF, as well as Genius. 
Newer generation devices will generally give better outcomes, however with insulation, the safety of microneedling RF devices is usually better than generation two machines. With insulation the incidence of skin colour darkening and ‘grids’ secondary to ‘stamping’ is less, however it is largely technique dependent. 
Microneedling RF should be viewed as a tool to be incorporated in the suitable clinical context. As with most other ‘fractional technology’ 3-5 sessions spaced 3-6 weeks apart will give the best results. Be guided by your specialist.  All the best, 
Dr Davin Lim and the team at Clinic Cutis
Brisbane. Australia.

Is it possible to have too much laser and microneedling on the face?

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Is it possible to have too much laser and microneedling on the face?

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.