Micro Needling: Kardashian, Aniston & Pitt love it. And you can too.

I'm usually the one taking pictures of everyone else, but now my kids are old enough to grab my phone and snap photos of me. Scrolling through my iPhone picture gallery one day, I noticed lines, creases, dark spots, and unevenly textured skin on my face. All over my face! I'm barely 40 so how could this be? I was never one to burn in the sun, so I figured the years of being the tannest kid on the block were finally catching up with me. Was this the norm? Did I have to be okay with these wrinkles, splotches and brown spots?

Although not one to obsess over my age or looks, seeing pictures of myself beginning to actually look "aged" got me thinking about ways that I might halt or reverse some of these signs of aging. Being married to a doctor and having a master's degree in public health meant that I wasn't going to buy a Groupon or head to some random "med spa" to have a treatment. And although I do enjoy the temporary glow that a facial provides, it wasn't doing enough for my tired looking skin for an extended period of time. My frequent jaunts to Sephora result in spending hundreds of dollars on skincare products. I knew there had to be a better way to take care of my skin and halt or even reverse some of the signs of aging.

A friend recommended Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, a Park Avenue practice headed up by Dr. Steven J. Pearlman. Dr. Pearlman, known to insiders as "Dr. P," is board certified in both head and neck surgery and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, which was the first selling point for me. Also past-president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, I knew this guy was trustworthy. He carries his own line of carefully developed, medical-grade skincare products sold only through his office, customized for age, skin type, skin color, texture, and skin challenge. Dr. P seemed like the whole package!

After describing my skin concerns and being evaluated in the office by Donna Fay, one of Dr. P's beauty experts and a master aesthetician, she suggested a MicroPen procedure. The MicroPen is a device with 12 small micro needles that mechanically run over the surface of the skin. These hair-fine needles puncture the skin in a minimally invasive way to stimulate collagen production and rejuvenate the skin. It's like setting the re-set button for collagen induction.

So what are the benefits to micro needling? After as little as one session, (although three to five successive treatments are optimal,) I was told I could expect the following:

• Natural collagen stimulation
• Reduced brown spots and lessening of sun damage
• Reduced pore size
• Reduced lines and wrinkles
• Skin to appear younger, tighter, and more radiant
• Skin texture to even out

MicroPen also effectively reduces acne scarring (which I don't have) and skin discoloration.

I relaxed in the reclining medical chair as Ms. Fay cleansed my skin and applied a numbing cream to minimize the mild, sandpaper-like feeling of the MicroPen. The music in the exam room served as a distraction from the buzzing hum of this magical device as it poked hundreds of holes in my face, breathing new life into my skin with every micro-poke. Less than 10 minutes later, my body was working its own magic by producing new collagen. It really was that simple.

I was told to expect to look a bit red after the treatment but that the redness wouldn't last more than a couple of days. My redness progressively increased for a couple of hours afterwards but settled down by the evening and I was comfortable going about my normal business the next day. (Redness can last up to two days in some people.)

After my MicroPen session I read that skin-envy celebrities Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, and Kim Kardashian are regular MicroPen users. So are all the flawless-face women that work in Dr. P's office! Within a few days, I could see why. My skin looked brighter, tighter, and my brown spots were less apparent. My skin looked more "awake," and the skin texture had improved enormously. I simply looked brighter...younger. I can only imagine what successive treatments could do if my skin looked radiant after just one treatment. ("MicroPen treatment" is item number 1 on my Chanukah wish list!)

Dr. P was kind enough to give me samples of his skincare line to try and these have only enhanced the effects of the micro needling treatment. His expertly formulated, science based skincare is fortified with the most proven ingredients on the market. For example, Dr. P's products contain Vitamin C which helps with collagen production, improved skin elasticity, and protects the skin against harsh environmental factors. They contain hydroxy acids which improve the overall look and feel of the skin as well as green tea, a well-documented anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory that can help slow the skin aging process. A morning and night time routine is recommended, and although not a substitute for micro needling, it has added to my skin's fresh and healthy-looking glow. Even my mom has noticed how great my skin looks, and she is the skeptic of all skeptics when it comes to products and procedures.

A quick trip into Manhattan to Dr. P's office, just north of Grand Central Station and around the corner from Bloomie's is all it takes to experience this quick and easy route to more vibrant, healthier, brighter, and tighter skin. For me, it is worth the trip to the city to experience a true medical professional who understands and promotes the science behind perfect skin. As Ali Pearlman, wife to Dr. P and communications manager of the practice said, (with glowingly perfect skin,) "MicroPen is my healthy addiction." I can certainly see why.

Pearlman Aesthetics
521 Park Avenue NY, NY 10065
mdface.com

This article is sponsored content from Pearlman Aesthetics.