by Valerie Demetros
In the world of aesthetics and beauty, there’s no getting around the use of needles. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons count on them for precise placement of dermal fillers and injectables.
Micro-coring is a brand-new FDA-cleared technology that uses hollowed-out needles to nonsurgically remove pieces of loose skin without the need for plastic surgery.
How does it work? This new process uses a controlled removal of thousands of tiny columns of skin, which also create micro-injuries that stimulate collagen production. Following this, the skin’s natural healing, reparation functions and tissue remodeling take over.
Micro-coring technology was developed from observing surrounding skin-tightening and shrinking when removing small amounts of skin. By extracting micro-cores of skin, there is the added value of an almost immediate close of the skin and full healing over several days.
Of course, micro-coring doesn’t replace a facelift, but will greatly improve the skin’s texture, say dermatologists.
A facelift reshapes the underlying tissues and removes extra skin but does not rejuvenate the skin. Micro-coring can help renew the skin. However, a facelift will always generate a more dramatic result.
The first step when micro-coring is lidocaine injections and injectable anesthetics to numb the area. Next, the handheld device is guided by a doctor as it punches out thousands of tiny pieces of skin, suctioning the removed tissue as it goes. These skin “micro-cores” are so small they’re invisible to the naked eye.
The procedure removes up to 4% to 8% of the skin in the treated area. The hollow needles are less than half a millimeter in diameter, about half the size of a standard ear-piercing needle. After leaving behind about 10,000 holes, the skin then closes, allowing it to heal completely over several days.
Theoretically, the resulting inflammation and healing response in your skin leads to increased collagen production and subsequent tightening.
The treatment itself takes about 30 minutes, and most patients need three sessions one month apart. Unlike a lunchtime procedure, you’ll need to lay low for about three days.
While the skin is recovering, avoid harsh acids and exfoliators for a few days. Instead, opt for a mild cleanser, a light moisturizer and sunscreen.
Micro-coring is still in its early stages, but clinical trials found that 90% of patients showed improvement on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, a five-point scale used in clinical studies to assess improvement of patient appearance post-treatment. Expect to see results four to six months after completing treatment.
