Is Microneedling Good for Rosacea?

Rosacea is a  chronic skin condition of face that cause redness, often small red, puss filled bumps and reddish vascular markings on the skin. It can lead to a persistent flare ups or blushing of skin.  Many people mistake rosacea for acne scars but they’re actually two different things altogether. 

The severity of this condition can vary in different individuals. Some people show moderate rosacea symptoms while others have severe redness, skin changes and visible blood vessels. While the accurate cause of the condition is not yet found but it is often provoked by factors like prolonged sun exposure, spicy foods, and may be certain skin care products. 

Types of Rosacea:

Rosacea is being categorised into four major types, while some people can show symptoms of more than one type:

1. Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea: This kind makes your skin turn red and shows tiny blood vessels on the skin surface. It usually occurs when you drink alcohol or feel stressed. The redness appears suddenly and disappears fast.

2. Papulopustular Rosacea: This type causes red lumps, spots filled with pus, and red skin often misidentified as acne.

3. Phymatous Rosacea: This kind makes your skin get thicker on your face, especially on your chin, forehead, and nose. 

4. Ocular Rosacea: This type of rosacea can effect your eyes which can lead to dryness, redness, irritation and can even cause blurry vision. It is often marked with cysts and puffiness of eyelids.

The different effective treatments of rosacea are offered, which includes taking antibiotics, applying moisturisers or creams, micro needling and having a laser therapy. However, it is important for a patient with rosacea to consult a dermatologist for the proper diagnosis and treatment.

And if you want to wear makeup during rosacea, make sure you get the best foundations for rosacea first.

What is Microneedling?

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that involves the use of a device with fine needles to create tiny, controlled punctures or micro-injuries in the skin’s surface which in results activates the immune system of the body.

While microneedling is not a direct treatment for rosacea, it can potentially help improve certain aspects of rosacea-affected skin in some individuals through the following mechanisms:

Collagen Production:

Micro needling promotes the production of collagen, a protein that provides structure to the skin. This way, microneedling may help improve skin texture and firmness, which can be beneficial for individuals with rosacea.

Increased Absorption:

Micro needling produces tiny passages which enhance the absorption of some topical treatments including applications of oral medications. This potentially increases the effectiveness of the treatments when applied after skin needling. 

Reduced Redness and Scarring

Micro needling can also be beneficial in reducing the redness and skin marks and the visibility of blood vessels on the skin.

Is Micro needling Safe for Rosacea?

When it comes to microneedling for rosacea, it is important to know that it can actually have adverse effects, especially if you are having a flare-up.

Generally, microneedling is a simple procedure that does not require much recovery time. But it can have side effects like making your skin red, dry or tight. These side effects are not as bad as some other treatments like laser therapy.

However, if you have rosacea, you need to be careful. The most important thing is to talk to a dermatologist to figure out what kind of rosacea you have because not all types are suitable for microneedling.

Effective Micro needling Approaches for Managing Rosacea:

There has been the different methods and tools prevailing these days to use micro needling on different skin types suffering from rosacea. Let us indulge into these techniques and see what methods works best as a cure for rosacea. 

Using a dermaroller:

Using a dermaroller for rosacea can reduce redness and makes skin looks better. However, it might not be the best choice for microneedling, especially if you’re doing it at home by yourself. It’s safer to go to a dermatologist as the dermaroller can be a bit tough on the skin compared to other methods. So, if your skin is already sensitive, it’s a good idea to avoid it.

Using a Dermapen:

Microneedling with a dermapen is becoming a popular choice for treating rosacea, especially for those with more sensitive skin. This method is seen as gentler because it does not penetrate the skin with the same depth everywhere, which can be potentially irritating.

Traditional microneedling, which involves rolling needles across the skin, can sometimes be harsh. However, the dermapen’s adjustable needle length and ability to vary the depth of penetration make it a more skin-friendly option.

RF micro needling and Rosacea:

RF (radiofrequency) microneedling is considered as an effective approach of treating rosacea. This method uses the dual benefits of microneedling and radiofrequency technology. Radiofrequency sends controlled heat into the skin’s deeper layers, stimulating collagen and elastin production.

Clinical studies have shown promising results using RF, including a significant reduction in redness by 13.6%. This means that RF microneedling not only minimizes the visible symptoms of rosacea but also ensures clinical improvements.

Aftercare Tips Following Microneedling for Rosacea

After getting micro needling as a treatment of rosacea, the aftercare should be done. Here are some things rosacea patients should not do:

1. Steer Clear of Triggers: Rosacea can be triggered by certain foods, drinks, alcohol, stress, caffeine, intense workouts and some environmental factors. Knowing your triggers it is crucial to avoid them after microneedling.

2. No Glycolic Acid: Make sure not to use the skin products that contains Glycolic acid in them.

3. Take It Easy: After microneedling, avoid heavy sweating for a few days as it can irritate your skin and introduce dirt. So, skip intense activities like cardio workouts, weightlifting, and sports for a little while.

By following these tips, you can help your skin recover and avoid common symptoms of rosacea flare-ups.

The Bottom Line

To sum it up, when you’re dealing with rosacea, picking the right treatment is key. Knowing your skin type, how severe your rosacea is, and what choices you have can lead to better results. While microneedling can work well, talking to a skin expert is vital to figure out the safest and best method for your skin.