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What Is Velvet Skin? | A Doctor Explains the Effects, Costs, and Downtime
Group Chief Director, Smart Skin Clinic Group
Ishii Kota
Career
Graduated from Juntendo University School of Medicine
Worked at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital and affiliated facilities
Worked at a major aesthetic clinic in Tokyo
Affiliations / Qualifications
Board-certified specialist, Japan Surgical Society
Board-certified specialist, Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine
What Is Velvet Skin?
Velvet Skin is a procedure that uses a Dermapen to create fine holes in the skin, followed by a massage peel to firm the skin. The holes created by the Dermapen stimulate the production of collagen and elastin during the wound-healing process, giving the skin elasticity.
In addition, a synergistic effect can be expected from the collagen-boosting action of the PRX-T33 used in the massage peel.
Although the massage peel is an effective peeling treatment on its own, combining it with the Dermapen allows the cosmetic ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin, delivering an even greater effect.
What Is a Dermapen?
Dermapen is a treatment that regenerates the skin by creating fine holes in the dermal layer to promote the skin's natural healing ability. It has 16 needles that create holes in the skin so small they are almost invisible. Despite the large number of needles, strong pain is usually not felt during the procedure. As the skin regenerates, collagen production is stimulated and the skin's elasticity increases.
What Is a Massage Peel?
Massage peel is a procedure in which the cosmetic agent "PRX-T33" is worked into the skin by massage to achieve effects such as boosting collagen, suppressing inflammation, and inhibiting melanin production. The main ingredients of PRX-T33 are trichloroacetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and kojic acid.
Trichloroacetic acid stimulates the fibroblasts that produce elastic components such as collagen and elastin, resulting in more elastic skin.
Hydrogen peroxide suppresses the inflammatory action that is a side effect of trichloroacetic acid. Kojic acid, meanwhile, inhibits melanin production and helps improve spots and dullness.
Effects of Velvet Skin
Improvement of pore opening
As a result of the Dermapen stimulating the deeper layers of the skin, collagen and elastin production is promoted and the tissue around the pores tightens. In addition, a synergistic effect can be expected from the way trichloroacetic acid promotes collagen production.
Improvement of acne scars (including craters)
It is also effective for improving skin irregularities such as acne scars and craters. By making fine holes in the skin, the Dermapen enhances the skin's healing ability. Combined with the collagen-boosting action of trichloroacetic acid, crater-like acne scars gradually improve.
Improvement of dullness
The Velvet Skin treatment improves the skin's healing ability, which promotes the elimination of melanin and can help improve dullness. In addition, in the massage peel, kojic acid inhibits melanin production.
Improvement of wrinkles
The Dermapen increases the skin's regenerative power and promotes collagen production, and as the skin tightens, fine lines improve. A synergistic effect from the collagen-boosting action of trichloroacetic acid can also be expected.
Advantages of Velvet Skin
Can address a wide range of skin concerns
By combining a Dermapen with a massage peel, Velvet Skin addresses a wide range of skin problems such as open pores, wrinkles, acne scars, and dullness. It is recommended for those whose individual concerns are not too severe and who want to receive cosmetic treatment efficiently.
Effects appear more quickly than with the treatment alone
You can feel effects such as firmer skin and tightened pores immediately after the procedure. Being able to feel the effects at an early stage makes it easier to stay motivated for cosmetic treatment.
Short downtime
A major advantage of Velvet Skin is its short downtime after the procedure. While swelling and redness usually last for several days after cosmetic procedures, Velvet Skin has a relatively short downtime and does not significantly affect work or personal life.
Who Is Velvet Skin Recommended For?
- Those who want to address a wide range of skin concerns
- Those who want to feel the effects quickly
- Those who want to keep downtime to a minimum
Velvet Skin Precautions and Downtime
Post-treatment precautions
- Immediately after the procedure, the holes created in the skin by the Dermapen are still open, so you need to avoid washing your face and applying makeup for 12 hours after the procedure.
- On the day of treatment, only showering is allowed. From the next day onward, bathing is fine, but if redness is noticeable, please use lukewarm water.
- A rise in body temperature may worsen symptoms, so please avoid strenuous exercise and saunas.
- If the treated area has redness, a sensation of heat, or intense itching, cool it with a cold pack or lukewarm water.
- Refrain from makeup and other irritants
- Because the skin is temporarily sensitive after the procedure, careful UV protection is necessary to avoid increasing spots and wrinkles.
- The skin tends to dry out easily during downtime, so please moisturize adequately. However, refrain from applying lotion on the day of treatment; do so from the next day onward. Use hypoallergenic cosmetics and avoid products containing peeling agents or high concentrations of vitamins.
Downtime
Downtime varies from person to person, but is usually around 10 days. Symptoms during downtime are as follows.
- Redness, flushing (2-3 days after treatment)
- Bruising, swelling (1-10 days after treatment)
- Dryness and itching (1-10 days after treatment)
- Peeling (2-10 days after treatment)
- Pigmentation (some time after the procedure *pigmentation rarely occurs)
For more details on downtime, please also see the following.
Those Who Cannot Receive Velvet Skin Treatment
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Those with diabetes or a collagen disease
- Those with a keloid-prone constitution
- Those who have dermatitis in the treatment area
- Those who are allergic to metals, kojic acid, or similar substances
Pricing
| Once | 16,500 yen |
| 3 sets | 47,940 yen (15,980 yen per session) |
| Set of 5 sessions | 74,900 yen (14,980 yen per session) |
*We offer self-pay (non-insured) treatments only; insurance does not apply.
Treatment Flow
You can easily book from your smartphone.
A smart, effortless check-in: just give your name and our clinic IT system completes reception right away.
During counseling, please feel free to share any concerns. Rest assured, there is no pushy sales.
Fine holes are made across the entire face with a Dermapen, and a massage peel is performed. You may feel a tingling or prickling sensation.
The skin is cooled to reduce redness. At this time, we will explain in detail the post-treatment precautions and aftercare. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.
After payment, you are free to head home.
Main risks and side effects
- Temporary redness, swelling, and bruising may occur, but these usually improve within a few days.
- The skin may dry out easily, so adequate moisturizing care is needed after the procedure.
- In rare cases, skin pigmentation or temporary loss of pigmentation may be seen.
- Those with sensitive skin may feel mild itching or a tingling sensation after the procedure.
- The risk of infection at the treatment site is very low, but it cannot be completely eliminated.
- Excessive UV exposure carries a risk of worsening skin problems, so sun protection is essential after the procedure.
Details
| Treatment Time | About 1 hour (counseling is separate) |
| Recommended Number & Frequency of Treatments | - A set of five sessions, one per month, is recommended. - After that, maintenance about once every two to three months is recommended. |
| Downtime | About 5 to 10 days |
| Treatment on the day of counseling | Available |
| Makeup | Possible from 12 hours after the procedure |
| Skincare | Possible from 12 hours after the procedure |
| Shower | Showering is possible from the same day; bathing from the next day |
| Pain | You will feel a prickling or tingling sensation during the procedure. In rare cases, a stinging or burning sensation may occur. *This varies from person to person. |
FAQ
- Is the Velvet Skin procedure painful?
Dr. IshiiWhen the fine needles of the Dermapen puncture the skin, you may feel a prickling or tingling sensation, but it is usually only mildly irritating and rarely causes strong pain. The massage peel agent is also only applied to the surface of the skin and is not irritating.
That said, the perception of pain varies from person to person.- How should I spend my time after the procedure?
- Dr. Ishii
Take care with face washing and skin care, using a hypoallergenic cleansing foam and washing the skin gently. On the day of treatment, take showers only and avoid baths so that circulation does not increase too much. Limit excessive exercise and heavy drinking. If the treated area becomes swollen or feels hot, cooling it may relieve the symptoms.
- Who would you recommend it for?
- Dr. Ishii
Velvet Skin can address a wide range of skin concerns, including dullness, open pores, sagging, acne scars, and fine lines. It is characterized by minimal pain and short downtime. For that reason, it is recommended for those who want to efficiently improve various skin concerns while keeping downtime to a minimum.
Legal Notices
Velvet Skin includes procedures using drugs or medical devices that are not approved in Japan. The drugs and devices used in treatment have been imported through personal importation at the discretion of our physicians.
Please refer to this page for information on medications and similar items that require caution in personal importation.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Medications and Similar Items That Require Caution in Personal Importation."
Physician Who Supervised This Page
Smart Skin Clinic, Chief Medical Director / Physician
Kota Ishii
We oversee treatment policies across the entire group, tailored to the skin condition of each individual patient. The content on this page has been reviewed and approved in line with our clinic's treatment policies.
Interview with Director Kota Ishii
Kota Ishii, our Chief Medical Director, shares our clinic's approach to patient care.
Clinic List
Jimbocho Clinic
〒101-0054
3-16-1 Kanda Nishiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, EX Kanda Nishiki-cho Building 8F (general reception) / 7F
Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–20:00 / Sat & Sun 10:00–19:00
Yokohama Clinic
〒221-0835
TS Plaza Building 2F, 2-23-2 Tsuruya-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa
Hours: 10:00–19:00
About the physician supervision of this site
This site is operated under the supervision of a Smart Skin Clinic supervising physician.
This page was produced in accordance with the Medical Advertising Guidelines Medical Advertising Guidelines revised and enforced in June 2018, under which we produce and provide this information.
- Scope of supervision: treatment descriptions, risks and side effects, price display
- Last supervision date: June 26, 2025