Academy Statement: Dry Needling

Permanent Makeup, Micropigmentation and Cosmetic Tattooing are used synonymously in this statement.
Dry Tattooing, Dry Needling and MCA are used synonymously in this statement.
MCA: Multitrepannic Collagen Actuation, derived from the Greek word, trypanon, to bore.

1.  Dry Needling (MCA) has been practiced by micropigmentation professionals since the late 1980’s.  Formal training by Kristanne Matzek, PhD, began in 1993 and continues to the present, in conjunction with permanent makeup training.
 
2.  Dry needling (MCA) is a cosmetic, not medical, service to temporarily improve the appearance of wrinkles and scars, with or without camouflage pigments being implanted.   We do not consider a wrinkle a disease.  We do not consider scars a disease but rather a result of injury.

3. The equipment, techniques and hygiene standards used to do these cosmetic procedures are the same as those to do permanent makeup or tattooing.
 
4.  The Academy acknowledges that the term "dry needling" has been utilized as an acupuncture term and we are not trying to draw a comparison with acupuncture at all.  The treatment does not involve acupuncture.  
 
5. The Academy believes professionals trained in permanent makeup, also known as micropigmentation, meet the standards required to perform this cosmetic procedure.  The mission of the Academy is to protect the public, the profession and the professional.  As such, this involves the use of the same sterile instruments and needles used in tattooing and permanent makeup.  There are no reported adverse events associated with this procedure.
 
6.  The Academy feels MCA is an advanced technique, as is camouflage, and therefore specialized training is required.
 
7.  The Academy does not believe MCA or dry needling or dry tattooing as described herein to be the practice of medicine.   Wrinkles and scars are not classified as a disease, therefore the cosmetic treatment of them would not constitute a medical treatment. MCA is essentially no more invasive or damaging than the use of electrolysis and/or microdermabrasion. These similar methods have been employed at spas and beauty salons for decades.
 
9.  When done in the context of tattooing or permanent makeup, with the same equipment and safeguards involved, and appropriate training to yield reasonable and effective results, dry needling or dry tattooing or MCA* is a form of tattooing.  The Academy has recognized advanced training in dry needling (MCA) at workshops by qualified instructors.

10.  Reference:  A published account of dry needling (MCA) to stimulate collagen in the textbook Micropigmentation: State of the Art. 2nd Edition. On page 177.  Copyright 1993.  Library of Congress Number 93-061357, Page 177.  Author:  Charles Zwerling, MD, Founder and Chairman of the Board of the American Academy of Micropigmentation.  Coauthors: Annette C Walker and Norman F Goldstein.

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