Skin needling is also called micro-needling therapy or collagen induction therapy. It is a minimally-invasive non-surgical and non ablative procedure for facial rejuvenation that involves the use of a micro-needling device to create controlled skin injury. As each fine needle punctures the skin, it creates a channel or micro-wound. The controlled injury triggers the body to fill these micro-wounds by producing new collagen and elastin in the papillary dermis. In addition, new capillaries are formed. This neovascularization and neocollagenesis following treatment leads to reduction of scars and skin rejuvenation, i.e., improved skin texture, firmness and hydration.

Professional skin needling is considered to be one of the safest skin treatment procedures. Unlike chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser treatments, skin needling causes minimal damage to the skin.

Skin needling is effectively used for:

• Reducing scars (including hypertrophic scars) caused by acne, surgery or thermal burns
• Fading stretch marks
• Reducing fine lines and deep wrinkles
• Dyspigmentation e.g in melasma
• Tightening sagging skin.

Microneedle technology also offers a minimally invasive and painless route of transdermal drug administration. This technology is to enhance transdermal drug transport, microneedles can be inserted into the skin to increase its permeability, after which the drug is applied (poke with patch). Drugs could also be coated onto the microneedles and then inserted into the skin (coat and poke). Hollow microneedles are used to inject drug solutions into the skin.