Medical Needling

Medical Needling – Synonyms & Principle

synonyms: medical needling, Morpheus treatment (=needling+radiofrequency), microneedling, NEW: RF NEED System (=needling+radiofrequency)

principle: Collagen build-up through the stimulus of small needle pricks and/or tightening of existing collagen through radiofrequency treatment

In most cases we recommend the ideal Combination of needling & radiofrequencyThe two methods complement each other perfectly: the needle pricks allow the energy to penetrate the tissue more effectively and deeply.

To avoid unnecessary volume loss, i.e., fat loss, we recommend treatments with moderate heat, but with more repetitions.

is often combined with…

• hyaluronic acid alternating with an interval of at least 10 days
• radiofrequency treatment – Needling & radio frequency complement each other very well: both work towards collagen – and the small punctures allow the energy to penetrate even deeper
• HIFU or other ultrasound treatments – HIFU works in deeper tissue layers – and is therefore a very good addition to conservative therapy

efficiency

The efficiency is in the mm range or mostly single-digit % area. The effect affects the more superficial layers of the skin and, as experience shows, ensures a smoother and more uniform skin surface (compared to, for example, HIFU = high intensity focused ultrasound - here the effect goes deeper into the tissue)

Short, cosmetic needles have significantly less effect. The needles should reach a certain depth of tissue in order to achieve the maximum possible effect

treatment duration

Medical needling alone often only takes a few minutes

the combination medical Needling/Radiofrequency-Treatment lasts on average 30 minutes

repetition of the treatment

A repetition is possible and very often useful in order to increase the effectiveness.

One Repetition can in interval of about 10 days with repetitions up to 5-6x may be useful.

Application in which body region

• face – especially cheek/chin line, forehead/brow, region around the mouth
• upper arms
• and wherever a small amount of tightening is desired

alternatives

• HIFU
• peeling
• dermabrasion
• Laser (but beware: pigment changes!)
• sometimes (especially cheek/chin line) surgery may be more sensible

Should I have a medical needling treatment do it at all? – Sometimes it is better not to do something at all.

Good advice highlights all the advantages and disadvantages of a treatment – and thus helps you make the right decision.

low effort

The treatment is over in just a few minutes. For those who are very sensitive, a painkiller taken an hour before the treatment, possibly a local anesthetic cream and, above all, ice cooling helps. We also have a device that uses vibration to further reduce the sensation of pain. This definitely makes the treatment very bearable.

low risk & downtime

There are not many risks. The skin is always a little red and irritated after the treatment - comparable to red cheeks after exposure to cold (but sometimes also from the ice cooling). Patients with extremely sensitive tissue and a strong tendency to bruise may experience slight bruising. Downtime is therefore not normally to be expected.

subtle improvement

New collagen is built up in the weeks following the treatment(s) through the formation of new collagen. This leads to the formation of a more uniform, smoother skin surface and a gentle tightening of the more superficial layers of the skin.

Especially for scars, I often recommend needling as a very simple first step that carries no real risk.

combinations/alternatives

Since it is a rather gentle effect, medical needling is often combined with other methods. We like to combine it with radio frequency in a treatment session - the two methods complement each other very well.

But PRP = blood plasma or (at a later stage) biostimulating hyaluronic acid or even HIFU can also be combined very well with needling.

Of course, in some cases, surgery will be the better choice for maximum effect (e.g. in the cheek/chin line area). But this is of course always a very individual decision, which is best made after carefully weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of the individual methods. We are happy to help you.

What should you have heard/read before a medical needling treatment?

little effort & risk – good effect: Before medical needling was discovered in Austria, I got to know it during a stay abroad in China. Needling was often used as part of TCM treatments. The equipment looked a bit wilder than the ones we have here, but it was basically the same idea - stimulating natural collagen production with simple means and with little risk but a good effect in terms of gentle tightening - and that is exactly how I would describe and recommend medical needling.

Prejudices

Medical needling looks bloodthirsty – and certainly hurts a lot

facts

The treatment may look bloodthirsty and spectacular (there are some photos of it on Instagram) – but the pain is definitely bearable, especially when using vibrating devices.

most common possible side effects/complications

• redness, possibly slight swelling
• possible infection
• possibly bruises

details Information on possible complications can be found in the information documents

In summary, good preparation (information, explanation, preliminary examinations, skin analysis, desired analysis, etc.), the experience of the practitioner, as well as the device and the needle depth are important factors for the success of a medical needling treatment.

You should avoid…

• same results can be expected with devices from the internet. Medical Needling works with needles of a certain length, which makes the treatment really effective

anesthesia

Ice cooling is useful – more is usually not necessary

possibly mild painkillers before treatment, possibly local anesthetic ointment

a device with a vibrating needle attachment also reduces possible pain

the treatment

no special preparations necessary

better not to take any blood-thinning medication in the days before treatment

the treatment

treated area protect

no dirt, no public bath or steam bath/sauna (especially in the first 24 hours after treatment)

in the first months after treatment consistently sun protection

our preferred technique/recommendation

• long medical needles
• vibrating needle head for pain reduction
• often combined with radio frequency – at some point also with HIFU or biostimulating hyaluronic acid or PRP=blood plasma=vampire lift

Cost

Guideline values for medium-sized areas:

200 medical needling – per region

500 medical needling + radio frequency – per region

reasonable budget

A final cost estimate is only possible and meaningful after a detailed on-site inspection and clarification of individual wishes.

downtime

In general, no social skills

Prophylaxis against dirt and irritation for a few days

Important to know…

• low effort and risk with good effect (especially in combination with radio frequency and especially for the more superficial facial skin) – that’s how I would summarize the most important things
• Plan repetitions – the one-time effect is always in the delicate range

Left

You can also find valuable information at Needling and radio frequency