How is Microchanneling Better than Microneedling?
Microneedling is a cosmetic method to improve stretch marks, acne scars, and surgery scars. The topmost layer of the skin is punctured for the activation of healing hormones in the body.
SI Glam Glow Esthetics, renowned for microchanneling therapy in New York uses the ProCell technique for this procedure. It’s a non-surgical treatment to invigorate the skin with minimal damage. Patients undergo less inflammation and discomfort, thereby, involving lower downtime.
People often confuse micro-channeling with micro-needling. Both involve finely perforating the skin to initiate a natural healing reaction, essentially to trigger collagen formation to create new healthy skin.
However, micro channeling is considered to be the next generation of micro-needling. So, let’s find out the differences between micro channeling and micro-needling.
What is Microneedling?
In this process, tiny needles attached to a stamp tool or roller are used to prick the skin. This triggers a healing response that initiates skin repair and boosts the production of elastin and collagen. Microneedling is helpful to address visible aging, acne scars, wrinkles, fine lines, and more.
What is Microchanneling?
This method uses a hand-held device with precision micro tips to tap into the skin to create even microchannels and induce collagen. The process works just like micro-needling and provides similar results but uses superior technology to reduce recovery time.
Differences between Microchanneling and Microneedling
Microchanneling is called the next generation of micro-needling since it involves fewer side effects. Microchanneling involves tapping but microneedling uses a gliding or stroking technique. As a result, the latter method can cause additional drag on one’s skin to form microtears.
Among other side effects are infection and discoloration, according to Cleveland Clinic. If micro-needling is not performed properly, it can damage the skin and cause scarring.
However, microchanneling doesn’t involve tearing and therefore, doesn’t cause added trauma to one’s skin. It uses a stamping method to create even and clean microchannels instead of tearing, dragging, or inconsistent microchannels.
The devices used in the two procedures are also different. A micro-needling tool resembles a pen with a longer needle at the end. The micro-channeling tool has a round tip with short, small, and uniform needles on the end. This helps cover a larger surface and offers more consistency to speed up treatment with less pain.
The needles used in microneedling are usually 2 mm long while those in microchanneling are 0.25 mm to 1 mm long (generally, 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm).
They stimulate stem cells in the upper layer of the skin (epidermis) instead of the invasive, longer needles that penetrate deeper dermal layers to cause more damage. Therefore, micro-needling ensures less damage, fewer side effects, and a shorter recovery period.
Microchanneling has also shown advanced benefits. A study shows that a micro-channeled gel patch helped prevent abnormal fibrosis as a result of an acute ischemic injury. Ensure to visit a reputed clinic to get this cosmetic therapy.
