Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses fine, short needles to improve skin texture and tone.
At Wise Woman Acupuncture, Idalee provides microneedling and nano-needling in combination with individualized serums made from Chinese herbs, body acupuncture, and LED light therapy for a holistic approach to skincare, general health, and effective stress management.
What is microneedling?
Microneedling encourages the body’s own repair mechanisms to support skin rejuvenation and improve skin texture and tone.
This holistic technique uses short, fine needles to lightly penetrate the skin, encouraging the body to respond by producing collagen, stem cells, and elastin. Many people choose microneedling to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, age spots, and sun spots. Results vary from person to person.
Microneedling also opens the skin to topical skincare products, so the serums applied during treatment can absorb more deeply.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is a gentle, noninvasive therapy that Idalee may use alongside acupuncture and herbs. It works alongside, not instead of, care and medications from your doctor. Most people experience few side effects; see Safety below.
Red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, works by having a continuous red light placed on a targeted area of skin, usually at a wavelength between 630–700 nanometers. This stimulates the production of mitochondria, a primary source of energy in cells, to help promote cell growth, cellular regeneration, cellular function, and a reduction in inflammation.
Benefits
Red light therapy can be used for a variety of conditions, often in combination with medications. Some of the most common conditions include skin conditions and pain management.
Skin conditions
Red light therapy is used for several different types of skin conditions. It is thought to help increase production of collagen which helps give skin its structure and elasticity, promote skin healing from increased blood flow, and reduce redness and irritation on the skin. Conditions that utilize red light therapy include:
- psoriasis
- acne
- wrinkles
- eczema
- hair loss
- minor wounds
- mouth sores caused by certain chemotherapy medications
Pain management
Red light therapy can also be used to help treat pain in combination with acupuncture. Since it increases cell production by stimulating the mitochondria, it can help promote healing and reduce inflammation. It can also help release neurotransmitters such as endorphins, which are natural pain killers. Some pain conditions that utilize red light therapy include:
- muscle pain
- pain associated with chemotherapy medications
- joint pain
Other conditions
Red light therapy is also being studied for other conditions, such as weight loss and dementia. The evidence for these uses is limited, and Idalee does not offer red light therapy as a treatment for them.
Safety
Red light therapy is different from ultraviolet (UV) light in that it does not usually cause permanent damage to the skin or increase the risk of skin cancers. However, there are side effects of red light therapy that you should be aware of.
High levels of red light can cause redness, swelling, and blistering on the skin. Red light can also damage your eyes, so it is important to wear protective goggles when using red light therapy. If you have a history of skin or eye cancers, it is important to consult your oncologist or primary care physician before using red light therapy.
Idalee uses red light treatment whenever she believes it will augment your treatment. The specific photobiomodulation light she uses also has other colored wavelengths that can help with other disorders. If you are having an acupuncture treatment, there is no additional charge for red light therapy. If you are having a microneedling treatment, it is an integral part of your overall treatment. She can also provide photobiomodulation treatment as a standalone service.
The duration and frequency of red light therapy sessions vary depending on the condition being treated, but generally require several sessions over weeks or months.
The most common side effect of red light therapy is eye strain, which Idalee counteracts by having patients use blackout goggles. Another is skin redness or minor skin irritation, which usually occurs only with overuse or misuse. This is why she recommends supervised treatment no more than once per week.