Benefits Of Microneedling Your Lips
Microneedling has swept the skincare world, with everyone from celebrities to influencers to your beauty-savvy friend swearing by this treatment. It's exactly what it sounds like: using tiny needles to puncture the skin and create microscopic wounds on the top layers, says Horizon Dermatology & Cosmetic Center. These tiny wounds prompt the body to repair the damage with increased collagen and elastin, which can help improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and texture. Microneedling can also boost your skin's firmness and volume, aiding in creating a youthful appearance.
You may also hear microneedling referred to as collagen induction therapy or dermal rolling, and you can either perform the treatment at home or have it done at a dermatology clinic. Seeing a professional for microneedling is ideal for deep scars and wrinkles. With continued use, you'll see results within four weeks of starting treatment. This treatment can be used anywhere on the body, which has prompted many people to try it on their lips.
More collagen production
Lips have more blood vessels, which help give them their pretty pink color, but they are also the reason why your lips don't produce as much collagen as other areas of the skin, according to PMU HUB. The skin on lips is thinner and doesn't have a lot of the tissue that produces collagen. Microneedling leaves behind tiny wounds that prompt the production of collagen to heal them. More collagen production means lips that look more youthful and pouty, although it won't change the shape of your lips.
However, it's important to note that microneedling isn't the only thing that can affect collagen production. If you want to aid your result from microneedling, quitting smoking should be the first thing you do, says Siti Med Spa, because the toxic chemicals in cigarettes can halt collagen production in your skin. Consuming more vitamin C, sulfur, and bone broth may also help boost collagen production. Swapping to healthy lifestyle choices along with microneedling can help boost your lips' collagen production.
Plump your lips
Collagen not only helps gives skin a youthful appearance, but it also helps add a plumpness to skin. A plump boost is one of the driving reasons why people are opting to use microneedling on their lips. Microneedling creates tissue that is dense in collagen, which makes your lips fuller. This can give your lips a pouty look with continued use. However, you do want to be cautious not to overuse dermal rollers. According to BeautyBio, two to three times a week with no pressure is enough to see results.
For some, microneedling could be an alternative to lip fillers, which inject collagen into the lips to make them appear plumper. Microneedling is a non-invasive procedure, which may be ideal for many. However, the effects of microneedling are less permanent than other procedures like fillers. The effects will only last a few days rather than the few weeks or months that filler will last, which means you have to regularly use a dermal roller or receive professional mirconeedling treatments to maintain the results.
Help hydrate
Hydrated lips are healthy lips. Chapped, dry skin can make your lips look flaky and peeling. And when your lips are too dry, it can make the healing process much harder, creating a vicious cycle of unhealthy lips. Cracked and broken skin on your lips can leave you more susceptible to infections or bleeding. When your lips are dry, they're also not as soft and don't appear as youthful.
Now, microneedling on its own may not address severely dehydrated lips — you'll want to nurse your lips back to health before creating those micro wounds on damaged lips. But microneedling can aid in making your lips more hydrated when used in addition to hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in the body, according to Vitalogy Skincare, and can absorb water to give skin a plumpness. You can also find hyaluronic acid in topical products like serums. When combined with microneedling, the tiny needles open the skin and allow products like a hyaluronic acid serum to absorb into deeper levels. Using hyaluronic acid along with microneedling can give your lips the boost they need to be hydrated from the inside.
You can do it at home
There are some forms of microneedling that you can do at home, which may save you a trip to a dermatologist or aesthetician. But if you are going to attempt microneedling yourself, you have to do it right or risk injury. It starts with purchasing the right tools. When it comes to a roller, it's recommended not to use needles that are larger than 0.25 millimeters, according to Hinsdale Vein & Laser. Whether you're using a dermal roller or a pen, it's important not to apply too much pressure, as that can result in injury. Do not press down too hard, as the natural weight of the roller is enough. You also want to ensure that you're thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting your mirconeedling tools after each use to prevent an infection.
At-home microneedling tools help skincare products penetrate deeper; they can improve penetration by as much as 80%. However, if your microneedling goals are to boost collagen production, get rid of fine lines or acne scars, or improve skin texture, then seeking professional microneeling is the better option. At home, you can use mircroneedling with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides, according to Face Med Store. However, you want to avoid using retinoids, vitamin C, lactic acids, AHAs, and BHAs with microneedling, as these can cause irritation.
Reduce upper lip lines and wrinkles
When microneedling, you don't have to stop at the lip line. You can also target the area around your lips to get rid of the fine lines and wrinkles that age your lips and face. Aestheticians can tackle cosmetic microneedling; however, medical microneedling must be done by a licensed physician, according to Boston Center for Facial Rejuvenation. Lip lines can be difficult to avoid because repeated actions like sipping through a straw or water bottle can help them set in. However, they are easily treatable with microneedling to reduce their appearance.
To take on these lines, you should opt for microneedling done by a professional with two to three procedures a month apart for the best results. According to Skincare Physicians, the procedure to target wrinkles around the mouth only takes minutes and you can see results up to six months after the procedure. To maintain the results, you may need further treatments.
Improve lip health
You want your lips to remain soft, smooth, and pink; that's the sign of healthy lips. The health of your lips may be affected by the weather such as cold, dry air. Sun damage can also harm the skin on your lips, says the American Academy of Dermatology. But you can prevent lips from being dry or flaky.
Microneedling can help you achieve healthy, luscious lips. However, it should be done in combination with other lip treatments. Dr. Vicki Belo tells Preen that there are many ways to achieve healthier, fuller lips, and microneedling is only one. In a skincare routine, microneedling with the addition of beneficial ingredients in products as well as exfoliation.
Consider products and ingredients that will aid in hydration and plumpness. Lip balms, serums, and masks are all ideal for creating healthier lips. Your lips will feel hydrated and plumper and can aid in maintaining a youthful facial appearance.