New Path to Smooth Skin

MICRONEEDLING: LEAST INVASIVE TREATMENT

- Hein Kaiser

It's an ouch. Almost like when you're being needled for a tattoo. But microneedling is used for a different kind of aesthetic enhancement.

It's a treatment that's growing in popularity and promises smoother, firmer and more even-toned skin, said somatologist and microneedling practitioner Hera Hall of Heavenly Healing.

Hall says microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment.

Fine needles are used to puncture the skin with tiny, controlled injuries that trigger the body's natural healing process.

This boosts collagen and elastin production, two of the key ingredients for skin that holds its shape, tone and smoothness.

While most treatments are focused on the face, microneedling can be used on the neck, back, stomach and legs. It's especially popular for tackling stretch marks, acne scars, pigmentation and dull or ageing skin.

Hall said she used herself and her mom as guinea pigs.

"It worked for me until I fell pregnant again," she said.

Then the pigmentation came back and she did it again.

Her mother wrapped up her treatments too soon the first time around. "If you're not consistent, you won't see results," she said.