Q: What do dermatologists say about micro needling? Is it safe? Is it effective?
A: This minimally invasive treatment can be an excellent way to improve a variety of skin concerns safely and effectively. Micro needling utilizes tiny needles to puncture the skin surface, eliciting a healing response, triggering collagen and elastin production, and smoothing and firming the skin. The benefits of micro needling facial, body, and scalp treatments when professionally performed are numerous. This modality addresses fine lines and wrinkles, dullness and uneven skin tone, skin laxity (looseness and sagging), acne scarring, enlarged pores, skin texture, and hair loss. Practitioners select needle lengths according to patient skin type, concerns, experience receiving facial procedures, and desired results. It can be performed on the face and body to counteract visible signs of aging and sun damage with minimal downtime and on the scalp to address hair thinning concerns.

Is micro needling safe for face, body, and scalp treatments? Yes, generally speaking. However, the answer to the more specific question, “Is micro needling safe for all skin types, concerns, and conditions?” is more complex. Micro needling is safe for dry, combination, and oily skin types. But people with inflammatory skin conditions and certain health issues should proceed with caution. Here are some top skin concerns and their related degree of safety in terms of micro needling:

• Is micro needling good for acne and acne scarring? For acne scarring, yes, however, it can worsen active acne. Those with advanced acne types or grades should see a dermatologist to get their acne symptoms under control before trying micro needling to avoid spreading bacteria or driving their active infection deeper. They should wait until they receive the “all clear” from their doctor to treat their acne scarring for a better treatment outcome.
• Those with milder acne should use a complete at-home breakout regimen for a month or two to minimize breakouts and bacteria in the skin. Then, once under control, they could try micro needling, but even then, professional advice is highly recommended.
• Is micro needling safe for rosacea? This depends on many factors and can only be recommended on a case-by-case basis. While for some it may improve circulation, strengthen blood vessels, and reduce inflammation, which sounds promising since rosacea involves issues with all three factors, not everyone benefits alike. Getting the rosacea calmed down before getting micro needling treatments is key; however, micro needling may still increase redness and inflammation initially. Professional advice is a must before proceeding. Meanwhile, topical products that calm redness and irritation and support healthy circulation are essential for soothing red, inflamed skin.
• Is micro needling safe for dark skin? It can be. I recommend starting with the shortest needle possible and using skin-lightening and soothing products beforehand to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Also, safe sun measures will have to be practiced.
• Is micro needling safe for scalp care? Yes, so long as the hair is clean beforehand and there are no other conditions like psoriasis or dandruff, micro needling can be an excellent complement to topical products for hair thinning.

Who Should Avoid Micro needling
Unfortunately, several different conditions are contraindicated for micro needling:

• Bleeding disorders, people taking blood thinners, or who have clotting issues.
• Diabetes and autoimmune disorders or weakened immune systems Eczema, psoriasis, frequent rashes (atopic and contact dermatitis), and perioral dermatitis.
• Cancer, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy
• Keloid scars, freckles, moles, skin tags, and unknown, oozing lesions.
• Very thin and fragile skin with clearly visible superficial blood vessels

People with Herpes (HSV-1) or cold sores can get micro needling but must take precautions as it may trigger an outbreak.
What are the risks of micro needling? It may incur itching, bleeding, bruising, peeling, redness, and tightness, with side effects becoming more likely with longer needles as they penetrate more deeply. Certain devices or improperly executed treatments may damage the skin beyond these temporary side effects or cause infections. Now, is micro needling safe to do at home? That is another story. Facial rollers with short needles can be safe, but longer needles that go to the dermal level should be left to professionals.


Q: What is the skinny on intermittent fasting for skin and general health?
A: Let me explain the meaning of intermittent fasting to help you understand how it impacts skin health and wellness. Intermittent fasting is a time-restricted dietary approach wherein people refrain from eating for a specific time frame daily or on alternate days. While weight loss was the original driving force, studies indicate several benefits of intermittent fasting, such as metabolic and cellular improvement, could lengthen lifespan and increase energy levels.

What Intermittent Fasting Does to the Body
Calorie restriction helps alter metabolism, prevent many diseases, and support longevity. One 2014 study found protein consumption increases Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) levels tied to type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and other lifespan-shortening diseases. Fasting is believed to decrease these levels, slow tumor development, increase the efficacy of chemotherapy, and reduce side effects. Additional studies in mice whose eating was limited to an 8-hour window found improved insulin sensitivity, less inflammation, diabetes, liver disease, and obesity. It has also been found to help with neurological disorders and cognition, possibly helping protect nerves against injury.

Intermittent Fasting and Your Skin
There are multiple ways intermittent fasting improves the skin’s appearance. A 2017 study showed an increase in dormant epidermal stem cells, inter-follicular stem cells responsible for hair retention, and expansion in dermal vasculature and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which may indicate that intermittent fasting will benefit skin health, hair thinning, and more!

Intermittent fasting and skin inflammation: Intermittent fasting and skin health go hand in hand, as it reduces inflammation and speeds up wound healing and collagen 1 synthesis. It helps with inflammation-induced aging, acne, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin disorders. However, you must continue to get vital nutrients during your eating period to support this aim.

Intermittent fasting and skin aging: Calorie restriction is shown to improve skin barrier function, boosting skin’s moisture levels. As dehydration is a precursor to fine lines, intermittent fasting shows excellent promise for delaying this early sign of aging. In addition, it encourages autophagy, a cellular cleansing process essential for DNA and cell health, helping slow down the aging process and supporting a more youthful-looking complexion. As higher blood sugar levels are tied to glycation-induced collagen and elastin damage and intermittent fasting lowers these levels, this dietary plan can also help reduce lines and laxity (skin sagging). Another laboratory study found that caloric restriction reduces irritation related to topical retinoid use, likely due to increased antioxidant levels and MMP inhibition (matrix metalloproteinases tied to tissue destruction), potentially enabling more people to use this rejuvenating active.

Intermittent fasting and skin breakouts: As acne can be triggered by stress and hormones produced due to higher blood sugar levels, this stress and blood-sugar-reducing strategy can help minimize excess oil production and breakouts. And the improved hydration can also help promote more rapid healing of breakouts, especially when paired with non-drying products for acne prone skin. It can also improve gut health, giving ample time to digest and absorb all the nutrients in your food and balance gut bacteria. This can help boost radiance and skin health overall. In addition, it may improve the sleep-wake cycle, which is essential for healthy skin. Studies also indicate that it can help lose a significant amount of body fat when combined with a resistance training program. Adding a topical body moisturizer, like the Stem Cells Phyto-Elite® Intensive Body Corrector with Green Coffee and Rapeseed Extracts to diminish cellulite, can help produce excellent results.

Risks of Intermittent Fasting
While intermittent fasting and skin improvement results are desirable, it is not recommended for teens, those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, underweight, have a history of eating disorders, mental health conditions, diabetes, have recently undergone surgery, or take Warfarin. For those who are low weight, it can cause depression, tension, moodiness, anger, low energy or fatigue, confusion, and food obsession, with binge eating on days off. These side effects may diminish as the "faster's" body becomes accustomed. However, it can also disrupt menstrual cycles. Should this occur, it is recommended that you return to normal eating.

**Consult your physician before beginning any diet, nutrition, or fitness plan, including the meal plan or products that are offered through the Website. Your physician should allow for proper follow-up visits and individualize your diet, nutrition, or fitness plan as appropriate.