Microneedling has become one of the most consistently requested treatments at Self Skin Studio, and it earns that reputation. It stimulates real, measurable change in the skin using your body's own healing response, works on all skin types, can be done year-round, and the results build on themselves over a series of treatments. If you have been curious about it, here is everything you need to know before booking.
What is microneedling?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a pen device with 34 very fine sterile needles to create thousands of tiny microchannels in the surface of the skin. Those controlled micro-injuries trigger the body's natural wound healing response, increasing cellular turnover and stimulating the production of collagen, elastin, and other structural fibers that give skin its bounce and firmness.
The result over time is smoother, more even skin that looks and functions more like younger skin. It can be performed on the face, neck, and chest.
A meaningful bonus: microneedling opens microchannels that allow the skin booster serums applied during your treatment to penetrate far more deeply than they would on the surface alone, which amplifies your results.
What Does Microneedling Treat?
Microneedling is a versatile treatment that addresses a wide range of skin concerns. It improves uneven texture and tone, reduces the appearance of fine lines, softens acne scars and surgical scars, diminishes dullness and sun damage, minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores, and improves overall skin quality and radiance.
It is safe for all skin types and can be performed year-round.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your provider will start with a double cleanse and skin analysis, including before photos. A topical numbing cream is then applied and left on for about 30 minutes to ensure you are comfortable throughout the treatment.
Once you are numb, your provider applies a skin booster serum and gently glides the microneedling device across the treatment area, creating thousands of microchannels per second. A second serum is applied after the needling pass to nourish the skin and enhance results. The treatment finishes with 10 minutes of red light therapy and SPF.
When you leave, your skin will feel tight, sensitive, and slightly wind-burned. Some redness is normal. Most patients find the treatment very tolerable with the numbing cream in place.
Downtime
Downtime for microneedling is 3 to 5 days. You can expect redness for the first few days, along with occasional peeling, dryness, and flakiness as the skin heals. Makeup should be avoided for 72 hours if possible. Exercise, swimming, saunas, and heat should be avoided for 72 hours. Sun exposure should be avoided for at least two weeks following treatment, and SPF should be applied daily once the skin has settled.
Do not pick at any dry or flaking skin. This is one of the most important things to follow, as picking can lead to complications including scarring and infection.
Before Your Appointment
Stop using retinoids, retinols, topical antibiotics, and chemical exfoliants 5 days before your treatment. Avoid blood thinners including aspirin for one week prior. Do not use tanning beds or have significant sun exposure for two weeks before. Skip waxing, depilatory treatments, and brow lamination for 5 to 7 days before. Avoid neurotoxin and filler (lip filler is okay) for 2 weeks prior. Avoid laser procedures for 2 weeks before your appointment.
Who Cannot Receive Microneedling
Microneedling is not appropriate for patients who are pregnant, have active acne or active cold sores, have had recent significant sun exposure, have keloid scars, have severe eczema or psoriasis, have blood clotting conditions, are immunosuppressed, or have scleroderma, collagen, or vascular diseases. Patients who have been on Accutane in the past 6 months should also wait.
Breastfeeding patients may receive microneedling but should pump and discard for 24 to 48 hours post-treatment due to the lidocaine used in numbing.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
For most patients, a series of at least three treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart produces the best outcome. Results build progressively as collagen develops, so the improvement you notice after your first treatment continues to develop in the weeks that follow and compounds with each subsequent session.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are curious about microneedling or want to talk through whether it is the right treatment for your skin concerns, schedule a consultation here. You can also learn more about microneedling at Self Skin Studio on our treatment page.
References:
- American Academy of Dermatology. Microneedling: Overview. aad.org
- Aust MC, et al. (2008). Percutaneous collagen induction therapy: An alternative treatment for scars, wrinkles, and skin laxity. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
- Fabbrocini G, et al. (2009). Skin needling to enhance depigmenting serum penetration in the treatment of melasma. Plastic Surgery International.
