Microchanneling—The Next Generation of Microneedling

In California, only licensed acupuncturists and medical professionals such as a registered nurse (RN), nurse practitioner (NP), or medical doctor (MD) can perform microneedling. Daniel decided to be one of the few practitioners to offer this procedure in Sonoma County and received his microneedling certification from EastWest Microneedling at the Acupuncture and Integrative School of Medicine in Berkeley. We use one of the most effective and quietest Microneedling Devices available.

Why Did We Choose The Procell MD Device?

The Procell Microchanneling MD device used at Still Life Acupuncture is top-of-the-line and a revelation in microneedling technology. Procell MD provides faster results with shorter recovery times, typically 60-90 minutes. It is one of the quietest handheld tools available and won the 2022 and 2023 Aestheticians’ Choice Awards' Best Microneedling/Microchanneling Device. It is also American-made. The growth factor serums improve healing to yield previously unattainable results (more details about the serums we use/recommend below).

At 18,000 RPM, the MD device is 50% more powerful and 50% faster than Procell’s Pro Level device. Compared to other devices, it is the most uniform distribution of microneedling. It is also drastically quieter, making the treatment more comfortable.

How are the hair Care Serums different than the skin serums?

The hair care option uses specific growth factors that target the Wnt cell signaling pathway in both the microchanneling serum during treatment and the aftercare serum. This line of cell communication is integral for hair follicle development and growth. Without Wnt signaling, hair follicle genesis, fuction and phase transitioning is impossible. The hair care treatment includes a 2 week supply of hair regrowth serum to be applied morning and night. Treatments for hair regrowth treatare spaced 2 weeks apart for 3 or 6 treatments. It is more expensive because it includes the serum for home use.

Who is not a Suitable Candidate for Microneedling?

Microneedling can cause bleeding so it may not be suitable for people with clotting or bleeding disorders, or who take medicine to thin their blood. You may want to avoid microneedling if you have conditions that affect your skin, such as open sores, active acne, eczema, or diabetes, or if you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant.

Do I Need to Prepare for Microneedling?

Yes, the following are necessary:

Discontinue the use of Accutane for at least six months before treatment.

Don’t use hydroquinone, and benzoyl peroxide acne products 5-7 days before treatment.

Do not use skincare that may increase sensitivity 5-7 days before treatment: retinoids, exfoliants, or acids (such as alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) or beta hydroxy acids (BHA).

Discontinue the use of any anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or Motrin for three days before treatment.

To reduce the chances of any bruising in the area after treatment, discontinue any blood thinning agents like aspirin or fish oil seven days prior.

No unprotected sun exposure for at least two weeks before your appointment

Do not shave the area on the day of your treatment; this can cause additional skin irritation.

What Can I Expect During My Microneedling Appointment?

The skin will be cleaned, exfoliated and a numbing agent will be applied to the skin before treatment.

Next, a grounding treatment will help relax you while the numbing agent takes effect. This can include grounding acupuncture points and/or acupressure points and the use of tuning forks. he will use the Procell MD Microchanneling Device which is a top of the line, professional

electric microneedling device with 18,000 RPM to treat the desired area. The MD serum used during the treatment contains TWICE the growth factors found in the Procell Pro formula along with additional ingredients such as TGF-ß3 and IL-1 to provide enhanced anti-aging, pro-healing and anti-inflammatory benefits. Procell MD provides faster results with shorter recovery times. Contact us to learn more.

The overall treatment lasts from 60-75 minutes.

Will Microneedling Hurt?

Though the area is thoroughly numbed, you may experience slight discomfort during the session. You can take over the counter pain medication post-treatment.

How Long Will it Take My Skin to Heal?

It’s completely normal for skin to turn red after a microneedling session; most people compare it to the look of a mild sunburn. Skin should begin to feel better after 60- 90 minutes depending on how aggressive the treatment is. You may also see some small marks from the micro-injuries for the first few days.

When Will I See the Results?

By four weeks you will see some improvement in the overall health and look of your skin. We recommend at least three treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart for best results. This process is most effective if repeated annually. For skin with scarring or deeper lines, you may need to book extra sessions. Most practitioners consider microneedling an effective maintenance treatment to keep all skin types looking fresh and youthful.

Neocollagenesis (the production of new collagen) can take several weeks it is not abnormal to notice an improvement in the quality and appearance of your skin within the first 24 hours. After 2-3 treatments a thicker more robust, collagen-filled cellular matrix will produce more consistent and noticeable improvement. And 6 or more treatments may be recommended for scarring, laxity, and wrinkles.

Do I have to use the MicroChanneling solution/aftercare serums?

Microchanneling stimulates the body to release peptides, cytokines, and growth factors that induce collagen production. As you get older, the stem cells that produce these vital proteins lose efficacy and decline in population, so microchanneling alone becomes less and less effective. Because of premature aging, the Microchannel Delivery Serum and the post-care Cellular Renewal Serum and Healing Accelerator Serum become more vital to improvement. Use of the ProCell aftercare products ensures the skin continuously receives potent, robust, pristine peptides, cytokines, and growth factors even in between treatments. Think of diet and exercise – microchanneling without serums is like exercising without proper nutrition. Results can be good with microchanneling only but are significantly amplified with serums. We encourage using the serums for our skin care patients between treatments every 4-6 weeks. We include hair aftercare serum for our hair care treatment patients to use in between 2week treatments.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re interested in learning more about Microneedling please contact us for a consultation at (707) 583-3226 or fill out our contact us form here. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.