Microneedling and Other Traumas

As suggested by the title, this week’s blog is about the incredible aesthetic benefits of microneedling; however, it is also, more largely, about the power of hormesis.   

What is hormesis?  I looked up a definition online and found this:

Hormesis is a biological phenomenon where a beneficial effect results from exposure to low doses of an agent that is  otherwise toxic or harmful at higher doses.

This definition is ok. . . but I think the concept can be more easily summed up with the old saying: 

That which does not kill me makes me stronger. 

Actually, one of the best-known examples of hormesis is good old exercise. When we lift weights or engage in cardiovascular activities, we’re essentially putting stress on our muscles and cardiovascular system. This stress, in turn, causes our bodies to adapt by building stronger muscles, increasing endurance, and improving heart health.

Other tremendous examples of hormetic treatments include:

Cold Exposure: Practices like cold showers, ice baths, and cryotherapy are rapidly gaining popularity for their hormetic effects. Cold exposure can improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. It forces the body to adapt to the cold, thereby enhancing its resilience.  I actually have been using cryotherapy for about two years now.  My son and I are both addicted.  If you’re able to go two or three times a week, I swear, you’ll feel like a million bucks.

Heat Exposure: The opposite works equally well.  Heat exposure, i.e., spending time in saunas or doing hot yoga, also has hormetic benefits. Heat stress can improve cardiovascular health, promote detoxification through sweating, and increase the production of heat shock proteins, which help repair damaged cells.

Intermittent Fasting: Fasting is another powerful hormetic stressor. This is something I’ve also been doing for over a year. When we go without food for certain periods, our bodies undergo beneficial metabolic changes. Fasting can improve insulin sensitivity, promote cellular repair processes, and potentially extend lifespan by triggering autophagy, where the body cleans out damaged cells and regenerates new ones.

Caloric Restriction: Similar to intermittent fasting, reducing overall caloric intake without malnutrition can have hormetic effects. Studies have shown that caloric restriction can improve longevity, enhance metabolic health, and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.  Did you know that you can now purchase the Prolon fasting-mimicking eating kit here in the Middle East?  No, when you follow the Prolon protocol, you aren’t truly fasting but what you are allowed to eat is extremely low in calories and virtually guaranteed not to boost your blood glucose levels.  The result is that your body doesn’t seem to recognise that it’s getting food.  I’ve already shared my top ten most impactful lifestyle habits but I need to share items 11-15 soon.  Fasting with Prolon is definitely number 11.

Mental Challenges:  But hormesis isn’t limited to physical stressors. Mental challenges, such as learning new skills, solving puzzles, and engaging in intellectually stimulating activities, can also promote brain health. These activities stimulate neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections, which can improve cognitive function and protect against age-related cognitive decline.

Yes, it’s simply about challenging ourselves, physically, mentally, perhaps even socially.  When we challenge ourselves - happily and with purpose - we build ourselves.  I’m in Portugal right now and there is no question that the hills I am scrambling up are doing me good:  I’m building muscle, breathing more deeply, and enhancing my endurance. 

. . . But back to microneedling.   For those of you who might not be familiar with microneedling, let me summarise what the experience entails.  Essentially, we, willing subjects, use small electric tools to repeatedly stick needles into our face:  all over . . . until our skin has turned red and is perhaps bleeding.  It's awesome!

Clearly, the principle of hormesis is at work when we do microneedling.  By creating micro-injuries in the skin, we are stimulating the body’s natural healing processes, resulting in increased collagen production and improved skin texture. This controlled damage and subsequent repair cycle strengthens the skin, making it more resilient and youthful.

Just by investing in the microneedling, you can dramatically improve your skin; however, most people combine their microneedling with judicious use of various serums.  Importantly, the microneedling process opens up channels for the serums to enter the dermis, allowing it to reach deeper levels and to have a more dramatic impact. Indeed, incorporating these serums - like hyaluronic acid -  into your microneedling treatment can significantly boost its benefits.

While often combined with other serums, hyaluronic acid is, I believe, the standard used during almost all microneedling adventures. It’s a powerful humectant, which means it helps the skin retain moisture. Here’s how it can enhance your skincare regimen:

1. Apply a bit of hyaluronic acid both to your skin both before and after the microneedling treatment.  The hyaluronic acid is a source of hydration, helping the skin to heal more quickly and effectively. Well-hydrated skin is more resilient and can better withstand the stresses of further treatments.
2. By keeping the skin hydrated, hyaluronic acid improves its elasticity, making it look plumper and more youthful. This can enhance the overall results of microneedling and other procedures aimed at stimulating collagen production.
3. Hyaluronic acid also has soothing properties that can help calm the skin after procedures like microneedling, reducing redness and inflammation. This makes the recovery process more comfortable and helps maintain the health of the skin barrier.

But, of course, that’s just one serum you can use.  Others include:

Vitamin C Serum.  Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps brighten the skin, even out skin tone, and protect against free radical damage. It also promotes collagen production, enhancing the skin's firmness and elasticity.   Like hyaluronic acid, just apply the Vitamin C serum immediately after microneedling to maximize absorption and boost skin repair.

Peptide Serums.  Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin. Peptide serums help stimulate collagen production, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin texture and firmness.  Again, use a peptide serum post-microneedling to enhance the skin’s regenerative processes.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Serum. Niacinamide helps to reduce inflammation, improve skin elasticity, enhance the barrier function, even out skin tone, and diminish dullness.  Like almost everything else, you should apply this  serum post-microneedling to calm the skin and reduce redness.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP).  PRP is derived from your own blood and is rich in growth factors that promote healing and tissue regeneration. This is the "vampire facial” you’ve probably heard about.  PRP is typically applied during or after microneedling for enhanced rejuvenation and healing.

Amino Acid Serums.  Amino acids are essential for collagen synthesis and skin repair. These serums help strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration, and enhance overall skin health.  Again, use this serum post-microneedling. 

One last ‘serum’ that deserves especial attention contains stem cells. 

Stem cells are another exciting addition to advanced skincare routines, particularly when used in conjunction with hormetic treatments. Stem cells can promote regeneration and repair at a cellular level, offering remarkable benefits, including: 

1. Enhanced Healing: Applying stem cell serums after microneedling can accelerate the healing process. Stem cells contain growth factors that help repair damaged tissue, leading to quicker recovery and more noticeable Results.

2. Collagen and Elastin Production: Stem cells can stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, the protein responsible for skin firmness and elasticity. This complements the collagen-boosting effects of microneedling,leading to firmer, more youthful skin.

3. Anti-Aging Benefits: Stem cells can also address other signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. By promoting cell turnover and regeneration, stem cells help maintain the skin's youthful appearance and vitality.

Whichever serum you use, you will glow. 

Of course, there are a few other skincare practices that utilise the principle of hormesis and I would be remiss not to mention them.  These include:

Chemical Peels: Chemical peels involve applying a solution to the skin that causes controlled damage to the outer layers. As the damaged skin peels away, new, healthier skin emerges. This process can reduce fine lines, scars, and discoloration.

Laser Treatments: Various laser treatments work on the principle of hormesis by creating controlled injuries in the skin. These treatments can target specific issues like pigmentation, acne scars, and wrinkles, prompting the skin to repair itself and improve in appearance.

Retinoids: Topical retinoids, derived from Vitamin A, are used to treat acne, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. They work by accelerating cell turnover and stimulating collagen production, essentially challenging the skin to renew itself more rapidly.

Perhaps you already use one or more of these?  I’d love to hear what your experience is.  For some reason, these seem so complicated and ‘chemical-y,’ so I’ve never used these.  I like the basic idea simply of poking holes and adding nice serums.  But, we are all bio-individual. They might work brilliantly for you!

The bottom line is that incorporating hormetic stressors into our daily lives can lead to overall wellness and improved health.   Let’s not just think of hormesis as a beauty treatment, however.  Perhaps the first and most important of all of the treatments discussed here is simply exercise.  Please!!  Let’s all move more!  The world would be a much healthier place, if we did.  Let’s all try to aim for a balanced routine that includes both aerobic and strength-training exercises.  Whatever you decide to do, let it challenge your cardiovascular system and your muscles. This is what will make you fit.

And, what would is the second form of hormesis that I would recommend?   After exercise, I think the next best would be very much a function of who you are and what your particular body needs.  But, maybe it’s one of these three: 

1. Intermittent Fasting: Start with a simple fasting routine, such as the 16:8 method, where you fast for 16 hours and eat during an 8-hour window. Gradually experiment with longer fasting periods as you become more comfortable.

2. Cold and Heat Exposure: Incorporate cold showers or ice baths into your routine, and try to spend time in saunas or steam rooms when possible. Alternating between cold and heat can maximize the hormetic benefits.

3. Mental Exercises: Challenge your brain regularly with activities that require mental effort. This could include reading complex materials, solving puzzles, learning a new language, or playing strategy games.  Personally, I'm addicted to both my Wordle and Sudoku.  

Whatever! The bottom line is that hormesis is essential to wellness. Whether it's that breathtaking climb up a hill, the invigorating plunge into a cold bath, or the tiny punctures of a microneedling session, embracing controlled stressors can help us become stronger, more resilient, and ultimately healthier.

Indeed, if it doesn’t kill us, it’ll probably make us stronger.