Your skin looks great, my best friend says to me on FaceTime. Of course, we all know FaceTime doesn’t make skin look its best, especially without great lighting. So the compliment was well received since I’d wrapped a microneedling appointment a week earlier. There are tons of skincare treatments on the market. This treatment is, in my opinion, worth every penny.
Like many Black women, I have a recurring skin condition: hyperpigmentation. I know there’s no such thing as perfect skin. But looking at a new dark spot after every breakup is frustrating. So after some research and watching tons of YouTube videos, I was ready to take the plunge with the same pro I trusted to inject Botox into my forehead and crow’s feet for the first time.
So here’s how my appointment went.
What is microneedling?
“Microneedling is a procedure where a device with sterile needles is used to make precise microchannels in the skin, which stimulates collagen,” Allie McAllister, NP-C, DCNP, founder of The Atlanta Injectors at Lemmon Avenue Atlanta, tells xoNecole. Unlike the at-home microneedling options, in-office needles range from 0.5–2.5 mm and penetrate deeper into the skin, creating tiny wounds that will eventually help yield firmer skin and a reduction in fine wrinkles, enlarged pores, pigmentation, and scarring.
You may be wondering if this treatment is safe for dark skin. The answer is yes. Because microneedling only punctures (they’re microscopic, btw) the surface layer of the skin, this treatment won’t create scarring.
Skin numbing pre-microneedling session
Courtesy of Bianca Lambert
So, what should you expect at a microneedling appointment?
Before your first appointment, you may have some pre-microneedling jitters. Don’t worry. The process is pretty painless because the first step is face numbing. After the skin is cleansed and the cream is rubbed on, it takes about 20 minutes for your face to numb. It’s a strange feeling that will last a few hours post-appointment.
Next, your practitioner will apply a serum that can be hyaluronic acid, a topical vitamin C, and your own plasma-rich protein from your own blood (think: the vampire facial). I just went with hyaluronic serum. Once my skin was numb, the needling began. I mainly felt nothing except in the areas around my nose and outside of my face. But it wasn’t more than a little pinch.
As the needling happens, the most alarming part is the pinpoint bleeding. It’s not normal to have a pen gliding across your face that can produce tiny points of blood on your face. Don’t be alarmed. It’s actually a good thing. “Pinpoint bleeding is a great sign that the microchannels are deep enough to stimulate collagen,” McAllister tells us.
Skin during the microneedling process
Courtesy of Bianca Lambert
How do I take care of my skin after my microneedling appointment?
After treatment, your skin will need to be taken care of very gently. That means gentle cleansers and no activities. “We ask our patients to use gentle skincare and avoid acids, exfoliants, or retinoids of any kind for a minimum of five days post-procedure,” McAllister shares. And if you’re tempted to skip sunscreen: don’t. This step is essential to your skin healing because the skin is more susceptible to hyperpigmentation from sun exposure. And that would defeat the purpose of your treatment.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
You may experience some dryness or peeling. I did, especially on days one and two. But that’s normal. “Peeling and dryness are very common after microneedling procedures,” McAllister explains. She recommends Revision’s Hydrating Serum or CeraVe Healing Ointment after a gentle cleanser to give the skin a dose of hydration. I used the Shani Darden Cleansing Serum, SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, and Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Serum in Cream Treatment.
How many microneedling treatments do you need to see results?
The number of treatments needed will vary from person to person, but at minimum, four sessions are recommended four to six weeks apart for the best results with yearly maintenance three to four times a year.
What’s the cost of microneedling?
The cost will vary depending on location, but it can range from $350 to $900 a session on average. However, this also depends on the area size you’ll be receiving the treatment.
Skin a week post-microneedling appointment
Courtesy of Bianca Lambert
My Takeaway
Microneedling isn't a skincare overnight fix. But the results, even after one treatment, are stellar. My skin was plumper, the texture smoother, and I could see a slight difference in my dark spots that live along my cheeks and jawline. I’m looking forward to more sessions to get even better results!
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But the more the discussion progressed, the depth of that answer was revealed. Ebony opened up about how saving during the pandemic, a time when many businesses were forced to close their doors, aided her through difficult chapters. And after our authentic conversation, it made the importance of saving and business research crystal clear. Check out the convo below.
What was your journey like into money management? Have you always been good with your finances?
Yes, I learned it early. My grandparents had a construction company when I was growing up and my grandmother would teach me that with everything they worked for, she’d put 30% away. So no matter how many jobs I’ve had, once I tithed, I’d put up 30% away too. If I couldn’t pay my bills with that remainder, I’d get a second job. As crazy as it sounds, I’ve always been amazing at that.
So you’re definitely more of a saver then a spender, right?
Well, yes, but I do have a shopping addiction. But I save a lot. I’ve gone months and months without buying anything, then I’ll just go buy something big or small. But I’ve always known I still need backup plans. The beauty of having it is that you’re never trying to scramble. Even with my first property, I didn’t have any problems because my money was seasoned. I’ve always been consistent and knew a certain amount of money was going in the bank every paycheck.
Photo by Rari Filmz
Okay, so I can’t ignore the “shopping addiction” comment. Tell me about your splurge
So Louis Vuitton and Chanel are my favorites. Then I’m really big on supporting Black-owned businesses. I put that in my budget every month – sometimes a few times a month.
That’s a good one! What advice do you have for people trying to tighten up their budget?
Prioritize. When the pandemic happened, it gave us all a new outlook on life and what’s important. For example, going out to eat with my friends and family is essential. So I take time out monthly and figure out my expenses. For example, a lot of my friends are Tauruses, so that month, I need to plan extra birthday dinners. It only takes me like an hour, but it makes such a difference. People need to figure out what that looks like for them.
And what is your current final goal? Like, do you have a retirement plan?
Yes, once I get Noveau to 100 million! My biggest goal is for my team members to buy homes and establish themselves. But my end goal would be 15-20 restaurants, with five being investment restaurants. Also, of course, I want properties. I understand the importance of owning land. I think those are the main things.
Okay, so what is the worst piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Someone told me that I don’t need finances to open up a business. People say if you have a 590 credit score you can start it, but why would you do that? I mean you can do it with that score, but the interest looks way different. Build your credit first and avoid the extra costs. I used my own money to start a lot of businesses. Now when I look back I wouldn’t have even done it that way.
How would you have done it?
I would’ve used the bank's money. When you’re building your first location it can be really hard, but they do give them out. But you can’t just come in with a concept with no experience and ask for $100,000. No one will bet on that or believe in it. But if you have a concept, with a real plan and projections, start off with lines of credits. You can start small and build your business with $5,000.
Out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on investing and how do you do it?
I’ve invested in two restaurant concepts. Also, I have my own real estate investment company where we build, sell, and flip. I think investments are important to keep. Some of them require work. Personally, real estate is always key. To me it’s a safe option but they’re smart in general. That’s the only way you get to certain goals. Don’t let money sit in the bank – invest it.
Are there any unhealthy habits you had to unlearn in regards to investing or money management in general?
I had to learn to say no. A lot of times, everybody wants something. It’s hard to say no to people who are capable of doing things for themselves.
Heavy on the “who are capable of doing things for themselves.” What’s been your biggest struggle in building your business? Was there ever a moment you questioned it?
As an entrepreneur, we all have those moments where we’re ready to throw in the towel. But my biggest challenge was building a team and getting the word out there. But I also know God doesn’t make mistakes. At the time, the more I prayed and started to get to know the team, I came to the realization that I needed to let go of almost all of them. It wasn’t just about what was aligned with me and my purpose but also Nouveau.
Also, I had to separate myself and the business because I’m not going to care if they’re late three times in a row but the business will. Those were the most challenging things for me: saying no, building the right team, and separating the business and myself.
God heard every prayer though. Because now the team at Nouveau is amazing. They put all the pieces together. It’s all about praying and taking care of your people.
Finally, what does wealth look like to you?
Making sure my family is good and my mother doesn’t have to work again. Also, wealth is ensuring my team is reaching their goals. I teach my team how to save money, too. It makes no sense that I’m the only one that’s profitable. When I became a millionaire, my goal was to figure out who I’ll make the next millionaire. I want families to understand how we get here and how we stay here. Wealth is not a one-woman show.
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Feature image by Rari Filmz