WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT REJUVAPEN

Have you ever longed for a magic wand that erases wrinkles, smooths acne scars, or brightens skin with a soft glow? Look no further than at Twin Falls Center for Plastic Surgery with Dr. Dell P. Smith, MD, FACS.

Rejuvapen is the name of your “magic wand”; the microneedling system created to give life to the areas of your face and body that need it most. Brittany is our skin specialist at the Center for Plastic Surgery and will give you your Rejuvapen treatments when you book an appointment. She is very knowledgeable as a skin specialist so we’ve interviewed her to give you a better understanding of the process and benefits of microneedling.

Many patients come in knowing their skin isn’t where they’d like it to be. They have hopes that something we provide can smooth their skin problems. Let us take you through the Rejuvapen experience and answer your questions.

WHAT IS MICRONEEDLING?

Our microneedling system, Rejuvapen, has a head of nine, sterile hypodermic needles. Micro-perforations are made in the skin to stimulate the body’s healing response. Our cells are always on a continuous cycle of repair and regeneration. This process puts it into high gear, so you get more repair and more regeneration.

“We are creating damage to stimulate the body to repair itself,” explains Brittany.

IS IT GOING TO HURT?

Brittany jokes, “The first time I had one, I thought, ‘There’s no way you’re going to put needles in my face, and I’m not going to feel it?’ I did not believe them, but it [the numbing cream] works fabulous.”

Some patients say it feels like massaging the face! Sometimes, depending on the patient, there is some discomfort. There is definitely going to be pressure there, but be assured the numbing cream will do its job.

HOW LONG WILL MY APPOINTMENT LAST?

A Rejuvapen treatment usually lasts from 20-30 minutes. It is considered to be a “lunchtime procedure.” Brittany herself says, ”I am not opposed to having one and then I got to go to my daughter’s volleyball game later. I’m not worried about that downtime, or how am I going to look.”

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING MY APPOINTMENT?

After greeting your skin specialist, she’ll wash your skin of any oils, lotions or makeup. Then she’ll put some numbing cream on your skin and let that sit for 10-15 minutes before microneedling.

Topicals (medication applied to the face) are really useful during this process. Using a peptide gel can reduce friction on your skin during microneedling and the micro-perforations allow better absorption of those products. Peptide gel has little peptides the body can use as building blocks. You can also take it one step further and do a PRP treatment, or a platelet-rich plasma treatment, which is new to the Center for Plastic Surgery.

A copper cream, put out by Rejuvapen, is applied after microneedling. It’s a moisturizer with copper in it, which contains healing properties. Then, a sunscreen is applied for protection.

IS MICRONEEDLING JUST FOR THE FACE? WHAT SKIN PROBLEMS DOES IT HELP?

You can receive this Rejuvapen treatment anywhere on the body. Some examples of skin problems that would benefit from Rejuvapen are loose, crepey skin, or cellulite on the legs, arms, chest, or hands. Microneedling helps stimulate new elastin and collagen to firm up your skin.

The number one reason why Brittany sees the majority of her clients is for facial aging, so wrinkling and skin laxity. On the other side of that, she has seen younger women who are just wanting to prevent that aging. It’s a great all around tool for aging.

The biggest reasons to get Rejuvapen are for fine lines, pore size, skin laxity, acne or acne scarring. This particular treatment treats all of those things.

Brittany explains, “It’s a great step in overall skin care, and to get an idea of what type of treatments that we do, and get over those stigmas of plastic surgery. We are just getting you to be the best possible you. …People notice it. It is visible.”

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL GIVE OPTIMAL RESULTS?

Skin Specialist, Brittany says, “For optimal results, whether you’re working on scarring, whether you’re working on skin laxity or wrinkling, pores- I think it’s best to do three to four consecutive treatments for optimal results. But that being said, one does a great job.”

Some patients will wait to see the results of their first treatment and then decide to add another treatment. Every three to four weeks is the frequency you can space your treatments. “You could get a session of three done in a shorter time and then a 12 week period. It’s really whatever you think to reach that goal you want. And we all have these different goals.”

TALK TO YOUR PROVIDER, DR. DELL P. SMITH

As with all our other services, it’s important to come in and talk with someone. Letting your provider know what’s really bothersome about your skin can help them inform you of the different options available to you. How aggressive do you want to be in your treatment? And how much downtime can you handle? These are important questions to ask in seeking the best treatment for your skin.

ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?

Sometimes people will walk out from their treatment with the glow that’s expected to show on day two or three. Some walk out barely even red and others bright red. Brittany says, “That definitely varies, but it subsides really quickly.”

Oftentimes patients will find their skin breaks out after a treatment. This is totally normal! Because your skin is regenerating, it works to get all the blemishes out from deep within your skin. That can present itself as acne but should only last a few days.

The ultimate side effect is glowing, tightened, smooth skin! And that is something from Rejuvapen you can expect to last.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Call us today to book your Rejuvapen treatment at 208-735-8386