Microneedling, Part 3: Working Speed and Perforation Patterns
From our series: Device-based cosmetics
Microneedling is not just a new trend. Microneedling is above all an innovative treatment method with a great deal of potential – provided the technique and application are correct.
In three articles we present the differences of the various offerings:
• Perforation patterns of the respective needle head geometry
• Motor and drive concept: Effects on the perforation
• Working speed and effects on the perforation pattern (this page)
The diverse microneedling devices and needle modules differ in essential details: technology, needle head geometry, working direction and working speed
In this article we deal with:
Effect of working speed on the perforation pattern
The images below show the effects of working speed on the perforation pattern. Our example: 9 microneedles in the linear needle module: distance between the needles approx. 1 mm
How many centimeters are treated per second with the needler in the working direction?
• Fast working speed with 5-10 cm/second
• Slow working speed 0.5 – 1 cm/second.
Whether the needler operates at 90Hz, 100Hz or 120Hz (frequency = punctures per second) is not so relevant.
Notes:
The faster the needler is moved in the working direction, the fewer exact perforations are created per centimeter of treated skin surface. Instead, there are increased tear injuries because the needles are mostly in the dermis while the needler is moved quickly further
Slow working speed with 0.5 – 1 cm/second – 10 – 20 exact punctures per 1 mm
Fast working speed 5 – 10 cm/second – 1- 2 punctures per 1 mm, however more tear formation in the skin
10 punctures per millimeter
2 punctures per millimeter
When the needle penetration depth is high (greater than 0.5 mm), the needle is, percentage-wise, much more inside the skin than outside. When the working speed (5-10 cm/second) is simultaneously very high, this automatically leads to tear injuries in the dermis and epidermis.
The deeper the needles penetrate the skin, the deeper the tear injuries become. And the more strongly the body's own repair processes act, which are always accompanied by micro-swelling, increased blood circulation and subsequent formation of scar tissue. This is less a question of belief than of biology, mathematics and application technique.
Comparison of the length of tear formation in the tissue with 1 x needle puncture
When the needle perforates the skin 100 times per second (frequency 100 Hz), it is evident and understandable that the needles are more inside the skin than outside! When the needler is moved quickly in the working direction, this always results in tear formations in the skin!
The only question is whether there is little tear formation (slow working method) or strong tear formation (fast working method). Tear formation always also leads to scar formation!
Fast working: 3 cm = 30 mm per second Needle tip travel distance 0.3 mm /100 Hz = 30-fold travel distance per impulse (100 Hz)
Slow working: 0.5 cm = 5 mm per second Needle tip travel distance: 0.05 mm/100 Hz = 5-fold travel distance per impulse (100 Hz)
Anyone who likes to work with high needle penetration depths (mostly among naturopaths / in the medical field, > 0.7 mm) should, in our view, significantly slow down the working speed (0.5 cm to 1 cm per second) so that the tear injuries/tear lengths are kept as small as possible. Unless distinct tear injuries are to be intentionally produced. The point here is not to prevent tear injuries, because that is not possible when the needler is moved. The aim is to minimize the “traumatic tear injuries” and, in the best case, to create clean and precise perforations. After needling, light or strong swelling processes occur directly (depending on needle depth) as part of meaningful biological repair processes – which do not need to be “combated or suppressed”.
Conclusion: a question of correct dosing with regard to needle penetration depth and working speed
Too shallow a needle depth does not produce the desired tissue and repair processes, and too deep needling produces increased pain, bleeding and tear injuries with scar formation in the dermis and epidermis. It is a balancing act and requires correct assessment with regard to skin thickness and skin condition.
3. Microneedling working speed and perforation patterns using the example of the linear needle module
9 microneedles in the linear needle module – distance between the needles approx. 1 mm The images show the effects of working speed on the perforation pattern. How many cm are treated per second with the needler in the working direction?
• Fast working speed at 5-10 cm/second
• Slow working speed 0.5 – 3 cm/second.
Whether the needler operates at 90 Hz or 120 Hz (punctures per second) is not particularly relevant. Notes: The faster the needler is moved in the working direction, the fewer exact perforations per cm of treated skin surface, but more tear injuries instead.
Slow working speed at 0.5-1 cm/second – 10-20 punctures per 1 mm
Fast working speed 5-10 / second – 1-2 punctures per 1 mm, more tearing in the skin
10 punctures per 1 millimeter
2 punctures per 1 millimeter
When the needle penetration depth is high (greater than 0.5 mm), the needle is, percentage-wise, much more inside the skin than outside. When the working speed (5-10 cm / second) is simultaneously very high, this automatically leads to tear injuries in the dermis and epidermis, if we are honest.
The deeper the needles penetrate the skin, the deeper the tear injuries and the stronger the body's own repair processes, which are always accompanied by micro-swelling, increased blood flow and subsequent formation of scar tissue. This is less a question of belief than of biology, mathematics and application technique.
Comparison of the length of tear formation in the tissue with 1 x needle puncture
When the needle perforates the skin 100 times per second (frequency 100 Hertz), it is clear and understandable that the needles are more inside the skin than outside! When the needler is moved quickly in the working direction, this always results in tear formations in the skin!
The only question is whether there is little tear formation (slow working method) or strong tear formation (fast working method). Tear formation always also leads to scar formation!
Fast working 3 cm = 30 mm per second Needle tip travel distance 0.3 mm /100 Hz = 30-fold travel distance per impulse (100 Hz)
Slow working 0.5 cm = 5 mm per second Needle tip travel distance: 0.05 mm /100 Hz = 5-fold travel distance per impulse (100 Hz)
Those who like to work with high needle penetration depths (usually in the HP / medical field >0.7 mm) should, in our view, significantly slow down the working speed (0.5 cm to 1 cm per second) so that the tear injuries / tear lengths are kept as minimal as possible – unless distinct tear injuries are intended. The point is not to prevent tear injuries, as this is not possible when the needler is moved, but to minimize the “traumatic tear injuries” and, in the best case, to create clean and precise perforations. After needling, mild or strong swelling processes occur immediately (depending on needle depth) as part of meaningful biological repair processes – which does not need to be “fought or suppressed”.
Conclusion: a question of correct dosing with regard to needle penetration depth and working speed
Too low a needle depth does not produce the desired tissue and repair processes, and needling that is too deep produces increased pain, bleeding and tear injuries with scar formation in the dermis and epidermis. It is a balancing act and requires correct assessment with regard to skin thickness and skin condition.