AquaGold^®

The AquaGold^® microneedling system is classified as a class I medical device with the FDA, and is only available for purchase by medical professionals with an injector license, and therefore, out of scope for a licensed esthetician. However, as a relatively new and novel treatment, the AquaGold^® microneedling device generally falls under the same administrator regulations as microneedling, meaning an esthetician working under medical supervision may perform the treatment, depending upon the state they are located in. However, neuromodulators and PRP are popular additions to the treatment serum used in a AquaGold^® facial. This factor may result in some states classifying the treatment as an injection, which would limit the delivery to medical professionals with an injector license. If in any doubt, it is always appropriate to inquire of a practitioner’s qualifications before proceeding with any modality.

The AquaGold^® Fine Touch™ treatment is a popular modality for achieving the coveted “glass skin” effect wherein the skin appears dewy and glowy with minimized pores. These results may be seen almost immediately, but for most it takes 3 to 7 days to achieve them. The longevity of an AquaGold^® facial depends in part on how a patient cares for the skin post-treatment. In general, a patient may expect to see visible positive effects from an AquaGold^® facial for 4-6 weeks due to the dermal stimulation from the microneedling which stimulates collagen².

The AquaGold^® facial device is a micro-needling “stamp” that the practitioner presses into the skin, which activates the spring-loaded needles to inject the serum into the skin. The needles on the device are 0.6mm in length and only 0.13mm wide, which is a bit thinner than a strand of human hair.³ Although a needle of 0.6mm may not seem like much, it is enough to penetrate through the epidermis and into the upper layers of the dermis. Additionally, the thickness of the skin is not uniform on the face, therefore, depending upon the pressure applied by the practitioner, some thinner areas of the skin may be penetrated more deeply. All of these factors combine for considerable possible variance in the depth of AquaGold^® microneedling.

The immediate “glass skin” effect of the AquaGold^® Fine Touch™ may have some patients wanting to repeat the procedure as often as possible. However, because the AquaGold^® microneedling portion of the treatment stimulates a boost in collagen production, it is advisable to wait 4 to 6 weeks for the cycle to complete before repeating. For some patients an AquaGold^® facial may be recommended more or less frequently. As always, consult with a trusted practitioner who can advise on an appropriate timeline for repeat treatments.