Commentary
Video
Dr Monica Li Discusses Tailoring Microneedling Treatments to Meet Each Patient's Need
Author(s):
Monica Li, MD, medical and cosmetic dermatologist and clinical assistant professor, University of British Columbia, discusses how microneedling can address both aesthetic and medical dermatological needs across different skin types.
This content was produced independently by The American Journal of Managed Care® and is not endorsed by the American Academy of Dermatology.
Mechanical microneedling is a great option for dermatologists who are looking to treat both medical and cosmetic concerns at a significantly lower cost than lasers and energy-based devices, says Monica Li, MD, medical and cosmetic dermatologist, clinical assistant professor, University of British Columbia.
Transcript
How do you tailor treatment plans using microneedling to address both aesthetic concerns and medical dermatological needs across different skin types and conditions?
When we think about any treatments for our patients, we really need to be mindful of individualizing that approach. With that in mind, many patients who have a variety of different conditions, be it cosmetic or medical, would benefit most when we take a multimodal treatment approach to the concern. Of course, in the consultation process, I take into account the patient's past treatment experiences, their preferences, their values, and budget when I'm customizing a treatment plan with mechanical microneedling treatments that can be delivered on discrete cosmetic units. I won't then create lines of demarcation. I'm not treating the entire face, so this gives me flexibility to be able to also reduce treatment downtime for that patient as much as that patient permits.
If I'm treating the entire face, I often also let my patients known the additional benefit of improving aesthetic concerns even if we're treating a medical issue like scarring and vice versa. Generally, patients are quite pleased with [that] because they can hit 2 birds with one stone.
Really, we need to tailor the treatments based on the individual considerations of that patient and the tools that we may have in our offices. Often for a clinician, especially an early career dermatologist who is looking to add an option in their office that can address both medical and consult cosmetic concerns, mechanical microneedling is a great option to have, since the costs of integrating into the practice is relatively much less than lasers and energy-based devices. Consumable costs are relatively low, and so you can transport that and move that between rooms without needing a large clinic space to house the actual equipment.
