Cosmetic dry needling and red light therapy is a holistic and non-invasive treatment for your skin. With a short series of treatments and then a simple maintenance schedule, the treatment will not only improve appearance, but actually improve the health of your skin as well. Unlike other more costly cosmetic treatments, there’s no synthetic toxins or substances used and there’s no downtime after treatments; most clients experience only temporary redness or minor bruising if at all, allowing you to return to daily activities immediately. This treatment is ideal if you are seeking non-toxic, natural and subtle improvements to your skin.

What does the cosmetic dry needling do?

Fine filament, sterile needles create invisible micro-injuries to the skin which stimulates collagen induction without damaging the surrounding tissue.

Enhanced Circulation: Cosmetic dry needling is known to increase microcirculation and lymphatic drainage. By enhancing circulation, improving blood and lymph flow, the treatment delivers more oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, resulting in a brighter, more radiant complexion and more hydrated skin. You may notice that cosmetic dry needling reduces dryness and associated wrinkle formation.

Reduced Puffiness: Improved lymphatic drainage helps eliminate toxins and excess fluid, potentially reducing under-eye bags and facial puffiness.

Increased collagen production: When the dermis is stimulated by the fine filament needles, the cells are stimulated to begin healing. This is called the physiological wound healing cascade and it’s where all the good stuff, such as collagen, is made. 

Improved muscle tone and elasticity: Dry needling to the face can improve muscle tone in the face which makes things look perkier and helps to soften wrinkles that may be caused by tight, or weak muscles.

Scar and wrinkle improvement: The deeper needling techniques provided by facial dry needling as opposed to superficial techniques such as dermal rollers, seem able to break the fibrous bonds tethering scar tissue to the healthy tissue below. This allows depressed scars to ‘pop-up’ and may also explain the positive effect cosmetic dry needling has on wrinkles.

Red light, LED and low level laser

With so many more home-use devices on the market, you’ll find the terms red light and LED used interchangeably. We use a combination of LED and laser, within the red light spectrum. Red light from LEDs is scattered light and you need to be close to the source for it to be effective, whereas laser light is collimated, that is, it’s a straight beam of light, meaning we can direct it accurately towards specific areas.

We’re using laser and red light to stimulate cellular function, tissue healing and recovery and reduce inflammation.

There’s some cross-over with cosmetic needling in that laser light can also increase local circulation and boost lymphatic flow to remove toxins and bring more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. You may feel your skin is brighter, the tone, texture and colour is improved and puffiness is reduced.

Fibroblasts (the building blocks of connective tissue) are stimulated by red light, facilitating collagen induction and tissue regeneration. 

Laser can help to reduce trigger point activity which may also have a beneficial effect on wrinkles as underlying muscle tone is softened and restored.

Red light also effectively reduces inflammation which can reduce redness and make skin tone and texture more even and smooth. 

What happens in a cosmetic dry needling and red light session? 

On your initial appointment we have an assessment of your key areas of concern and perform a general treatment to those areas. Up to 20 fine, sterile needles will be inserted. Red light and laser will also be used, particularly to areas prone to bruising such as the under eye area, to make the session the most comfortable we can, and to have the least chance of bruising.

In subsequent sessions we may use more needles, or more laser, depending on your reaction, comfort levels and areas of concern. 

When will you see results?

Our skin regenerates itself over approximately 27 days. This time length can significantly lengthen as we age. For best results, we want to work through at least one full cycle and preferably two. Results are gradual, subtle and accumulative.

Some clients may notice subtle improvements after the first session, perhaps a general tightening of the skin, reduction in swelling and fluid retention, especially around the eyes and an improvement in skin tone.

For issues like sagging, wrinkles and scarring, more time will be required as the changes are taking place on a deeper level.  

Treatment Schedule and Timing

Less than 6 sessions over 6 weeks will mean you may not see the best of the results cosmetic needling can offer. 

For more substantial results and improvements to skin health, wrinkles and signs of ageing, or for older clients (65+) 8 sessions over 8 weeks is recommended.

Packages

Minimum recommendation: 6 sessions over 6 weeks (suitable for 20s through to mid-40s)

Recommended: 8 sessions over 8 weeks (suitable for everyone but strongly recommend for mid-40s and over)

Alternative schedule: Weekly for 4 weeks, then fortnightly over 4 weeks / 6 sessions in 8 weeks

You can book and purchase sessions individually, although we recommend buying a voucher online for either 4, 6 or 8 sessions.

We would then encourage you to pre-book all of your sessions at appropriate weekly intervals so that you get the most out of the treatments by adhering to the recommended schedule.

Follow up schedule

You may wish to do a few weeks in a row again from time to time throughout the year, or have a single 30 minute session each month.There’s no reason you couldn’t also attend weekly, or fortnightly, if time and your budget allows. 

Side effects

There are largely no side-effects to this treatment. 

Some clients report feeling a slight sting when needles are inserted, although generally it is very comfortable. Others have reported very mild, local redness which fades quickly. Occasionally there may be a slight bruise where a needle is inserted. 

Complementary treatments

As with all treatments performed at Melbourne Natural Therapies, we recommend good hydration and nutrition to get the best outcomes. 

Home use of gua-sha or rose quartz or jade rollers can maintain circulation, lymphatic flow and reduce muscle tension between visits.

Natural, non-comedogenic products (products that do not block the pores) should be used on the face during the treatment period. 

We supply more detailed after care at the end of your first consultation and treatment.