Everything You Need to Know About Microneedling

Microneedling has gone mainstream over the years, and many expect its appeal to continue growing. Moreover, celebrities, influencers, and skincare professionals have jumped on this trend and even cosmetic product manufacturers are advancing the microneedling technology.

But the big question is; What does microneedling really entail? And does it even work?

If you are curious, stick around to find out everything you need to know about microneedling and what it can do for your skin.

Does Microneedling Work?

From the get-go, we affirm that microneedling provides real benefits. This non-surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedure works by naturally stimulating your skin to remodel and restructure itself while shading the damaged or old skin cells and revealing rejuvenated skin.

Microneedling is a widely researched procedure. Therefore, an experienced aesthetician customizes the procedure to meet your needs after considering factors like your skin type, tone, and age. Here are the top benefits you can enjoy from microneedling, including microneedling for acne scars.

Top benefits of microneedling

1. Elevates the effectiveness of topical products

Microneedling entails the use of a derma roller or derma pen to create micro-punctures on the skin. This not only triggers the natural skin remodeling or restructuring process but also leaves micro-channels on the skin for easier absorption of topical products.

Enhancing absorption of these products boosts the effectiveness of their active ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and growth factors.

2. Gets rid of boxcar and rolling scars

Whereas boxcar scars are rectangular, round, or oval in shape with well-defined edges, rolling scars are wavy.

Boxcar scars occur  when severe inflammatory acne destroys collagen and other supportive structures, leaving your skin vulnerable to volume loss. That’s why boxcar scars manifest as depressions on your skin.

Rolling scars, on the other hand, form when severe inflammatory acne forms a fibrous mesh between the dermis and subcutaneous layer, pulling the underlying skin downwards.

Therefore, your skin ends up with shallow depressions, characterized by sloping edges. Multiple rolling scars in one area, like the face, form a wavy pattern.

Microneedling for acne scars is a highly effective procedure that breaks down the fibrous tissues holding the scarred skin in place. The procedure also promotes elastin and collagen production, which also help to repair the damaged skin.

Ultimately, consistent microneedling over a specified period replaces the damaged and scarred tissue with the fresh one, minimizing the appearance of the scars.    

3. Offers powerful anti-aging effects

As you age, your skin’s ability to produce sufficient collagen and elastin (the two proteins responsible for your skin's youthful look) diminishes. The result is fine lines and wrinkles that get deeper with age, especially around the eyes, the forehead, and the mouth.

Microneedling can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The procedure triggers your skin to regenerate elastin and collagen, plumping the area with fine or deep lines.

Moreover, it stimulates skin to produce new cells around the wrinkled area, lifting it to achieve a relatively youthful and refreshed look.

4. Evens out skin tone

Microneedling also helps you address a common pigmentation issue like hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation usually occurs when prolonged sun exposure or a severe acne outbreak triggers skin’s melanocytes to produce extra melanin. This process forms the dark spots on various parts of your body.

Microneedling gets rid of the dark spots by increasing cell turnover. More cell generation leads to the shedding of the old and darkened ones, revealing an even skin tone.

Moreover, applying skincare products with brightening agents such as niacinamide, vitamin C, and glycolic acid after a microneedling session enhances the positive effects of microneedling. The topical products penetrate the skin, reducing pigmentation and evening out your skin tone.

5. Diminishes the appearance of stretch marks

Stretch marks are evidence of overstretched skin due to weight gain, pregnancy, or growth spurts. Initially, stretch marks manifest as purple, red, dark brown, or pink streaks but as time progresses, the color changes to silver or white.

Stretch marks are usually more of a physical appearance concern than a medical condition. However, it is common to start feeling self-conscious about their existence, especially if they are highly visible. To bring back your confidence, microneedling helps diminish the appearance of stretch marks. To achieve this, an expert aesthetician will adjust the depth of the micro needling needles to target stretch marks at different depths.

The needles create micro-wounds on the stretched tissue, disrupting and loosening up its structure. Then, your skin’s natural self-healing mechanism kicks in, synthesizing novel elastin and collagen fiber to remodel the stretched tissue.

Over a number of microneedling sessions, depending on the depth of the stretch marks, you’ll notice them becoming less visible. This transformation is often clearly visible in microneedling before and after pictures. You get to observe how the remodeled tissue blends in with the skin’s complexion.

6. Enhances hair growth

Besides getting rid of stretch marks, microneedling also activates dormant or weak hair follicles to enhance hair growth. This helps you eliminate issues like alopecia or hair thinning.

The process of microneedling the scalp requires expertise. When executed properly, the procedure increases blood circulation within the scalp. This enhances oxygen and nutrient supply to hair follicles, improving their health and ability to generate sturdy hair.

Microneedling also boosts collagen, elastin, and cell synthesis in your scalp, cultivating ideal conditions for hair growth. What’s more, combining microneedling with hair growth products like topical minoxidil enhances the positive microneedling effects.

To help you understand the process, here’s a detailed overview of what to expect during a microneedling procedure.

What to Expect During a Microneedling Session

As mentioned, microneedling requires utmost expertise. This is why you should entrust your skincare needs to a licensed and experienced practitioner only.

Before the microneedling session, the skincare professional must schedule a consultation with you to determine whether microneedling would resolve your cosmetic concerns. An experienced aesthetician knows what factors to assess, including skin type, tone, texture, and the overall skin condition.

The aesthetician also reviews any recent skin treatments you may have had, your medical history, and any active skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. All these checks are necessary to assess suitability and safety, especially when evaluating suitability for microneedling for acne scars.

It’s wise to set up your consultation with the aesthetician at least two weeks before the procedure. During this period, avoid extended sun exposure as tanned or sunburned skin is more sensitive, increasing the likelihood of complications during and after microneedling.

Other than sun exposure, keep off blood-thinners like ibuprofen, aspirin, and vitamin E. Additionally, discontinue potent topical products with active ingredients like glycolic acid and retinoids as they may increase your skin’s sensitivity, potentially leading to irritation during the procedure.

On the day of the consultation, answer questions honestly extensively to help the practitioner put together a personalized treatment plan for you.

After a thorough analysis, the practitioner should let you know whether microneedling can help and set a date for the procedure.

The microneedling procedure

The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area and nature of the issue. It involves these critical steps:

1. Preparation

Your select practitioner will clean the treatment area, aiming to eliminate oils, debris, makeup or dirt to reduce the probability of contamination.

Once done, the practitioner must re-examine the treatment area to ensure all’s well. Then, they apply numbing cream and allow it 15 to 30 minutes.

2. Microneedling

After the defined wait time, the practitioner uses a derma pen to evenly microneedle the treatment area.

Unlike a derma roller (mostly used for at-home microneedling), a derma pen is motorized, rapidly creating tiny openings around the treatment area. This alongside the numbing agent minimizes discomfort.

Besides being motorized, a derma pen uses one-time use sterile needles, reducing the chances of an infection.

During the whole microneedling session, monitor your comfort levels. In case the pricking sensation gets uncomfortable, let the practitioner know.

3. Serum application

Right after the procedure, you’ll notice redness around the treatment area and experience mild pain. This is completely normal. It is a sign of your system naturally reacting to the micro-puncturing and initiating the skins’ natural repair process.

To calm the pain and gradually reduce redness, your practitioner applies serums such as hyaluronic acid essence to help with healing and keep the area moist.

4. Aftercare instructions

Before heading back home, your practitioner should outline clear aftercare guidelines. With these guidelines, you are in a better position to prevent infections and know when to see the practitioner again.

Some instructions include not touching the microneedled area and applying cold compress to help with the pain. Additionally, not applying makeup up until a week or two.

Adhere to all post-treatments recommendations without fail. And, in case the pain becomes unbearable or you spot signs of an infection including swelling, reach out to your practitioner promptly.

What are the Possible Side Effects and Risks of Microneedling?

1. Redness and mild swelling

These two are pretty expected and common. Redness and mild swelling develop immediately after microneedling due to your skin’s natural response to the micro-wounds. Using a cool compress and soothing moisturizer should decrease the swelling and clear the redness within a few hours or a couple of days.

2. Dryness and flaking

Dryness and flaking are also common side effects that result from increased cell turnover, prompting the skin to shed damaged skin. To see these common side effects, check out microneedling before and after photos.

Flaking may go on for about a week or so, depending on the microneedling intensity or nature of your skin. Manage flaking by keeping your skin moist and avoiding harsh skincare products.

3. Bruising

Temporary or minor bruising may occur around sensitive areas of your skin when the tiny needles accidentally puncture the blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. This results in small, red, patches which clear after about a week.

The bruises are rarely painful, and you can get rid of them by following your practitioner’s aftercare instruction to the letter.

4. Allergic reaction

Sometimes, allergic reactions may occur after the application of the numbing agent or topical products. For example, you may experience itching, extreme redness, or swelling due to the potent compounds like prilocaine or lidocaine, found in local anesthetic.

Always inform your practitioner of any sensitivities or allergies before the microneedling session. They will conduct a patch test to determine an optimal approach and identify potential alternatives.

5. Infections

Though rare, infections may occur during or after a microneedling procedure. This is possible if the practitioner did not sterilize the microneedling equipment properly or the procedure room was contaminated.

You could also have caused the infection by touching the treated area with contaminated hands or applying makeup sooner.

Common signs of infections include persistent redness, warth, pus, or swelling, and it's crucial to seek medical attention before it worsens.

What Does Microneedling Cost on Average?

On average, microneedling costs anywhere between $250 and $1,000. The cost varies based on factors like the provider, location or region, skin condition, number of sessions, and combining treatments.

At times, the practitioner may recommend combining microneedling with other treatments like radiofrequency to address severe skin laxity or stubborn stretch marks, and this may cost you more.

Conclusion

Microneedling is a rewarding process that involves the creation of multiple tiny openings on your skin.

A select certified practitioner uses a derma pen to achieve this, allowing your skin to fend off fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and more.

Yes, microneedling addresses several cosmetic issues including stretch marks, and uneven skin tone.

Nonetheless, ensure you are entrusting the procedure to an experienced and certified professional. One capable of assessing your suitability for the procedure and understanding what you need to regain your confidence.

Experience At-Home Microneedling With Safety First

At-home microneedling has also become a popular option. As you search for “microneedling near me at a lower cost” in the comfort of your home, we've got you covered.

With the right guidance and information, at-home microneedling can be a safe and effective addition to your skincare routine. Explore more of our guides and at-home microneedling collection to get started today.