Skin Microneedling

Skin microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive treatment that uses fine needles to create tiny punctures in the top layer of the skin. This controlled micro-injury process stimulates the skin’s natural healing response, leading to the production of new collagen and elastin fibers. The result is smoother, firmer, and more evenly toned skin over time. Microneedling is a versatile procedure that can address a variety of skin concerns, including:

• Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Particularly those subtle lines on the face that are starting to appear, microneedling helps plump and refine them by rebuilding collagen.
• Acne Scarring: It can significantly improve the texture of acne scars (especially those depressed “icepick” or “boxcar” scars) by breaking up old collagen strands and encouraging new tissue formation.
• Large Pores: By boosting collagen around pore walls, microneedling can reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, making skin look more refined.
• Skin Texture and Tone: Overall roughness, mild textural irregularities, or even stretch marks and surgical scars on the body can be improved. It also can help with hyperpigmentation or melasma by renewing skin layers (though care must be taken in active pigment conditions).

At Dermanom Aesthetic, we use a sterile, disposable cartridge of micro-needles attached to a device (often a pen-like instrument) that rapidly and precisely punctures the skin to a controlled depth. The depth is adjusted based on the area and concern – for instance, acne scars on cheeks might need deeper needles than fine lines around the eyes. We prioritize safety and comfort, ensuring the treatment is effective while minimizing discomfort and downtime.

Treatment Experience

Before the procedure, your skin will be cleansed thoroughly. We then apply a topical numbing cream and allow it to take effect for about 20-30 minutes. This makes the microneedling process quite tolerable – you’ll feel vibration and a mild pricking sensation in some areas, but many patients describe it as more of a sandpaper-like feeling rather than sharp pain, especially in less sensitive areas.

During the treatment, the microneedling pen is moved across the skin in sections. We often use a serum alongside the needling (like hyaluronic acid or a vitamin-rich serum) to provide slip for the device and to infuse helpful nutrients into the micro-channels created. Sometimes, for an enhanced result, we combine microneedling with PRF or PRP – applying your platelet-rich plasma on the skin and then needling it in (a procedure famously known as the “vampire facial”). This is optional but can boost outcomes by delivering growth factors directly where they need to go.

A typical full-face microneedling session lasts around 15-20 minutes once we begin (longer if including neck or other areas). You will experience pinpoint bleeding – this is normal and actually part of the stimulation process. We constantly assess your comfort and can adjust settings or take breaks if needed. After treatment, we soothe the skin with a calming peptide gel or mask. Your face will likely be red, similar to a moderate sunburn, immediately after. There may also be some areas of petechiae (tiny red dots) or very mild swelling.

Post-Treatment Care and Downtime

Microneedling is loved for its minimal downtime. Here’s what to expect and how to care for your skin:

Right After and Day 1: Expect redness and a sensation of warmth or tightness, like a sunburn. Your skin may also feel a bit rough or sensitive to touch. We advise you to avoid any harsh products immediately after. We will usually apply a protective serum or cream before you leave, which you should leave on for the rest of the day. Do not apply makeup or sunscreen for at least 12 hours (many sunscreens or foundations could sting or cause irritation on freshly needled skin).

First 2-3 Days: Redness will subside usually within 24-48 hours. By day 2, most people can go out with minimal signs of treatment, maybe just some pinkness. You might notice some areas feel slightly rough or have a faint grid-like appearance (from the needling pattern) – that’s normal and will slough off. You should cleanse your face with a gentle, non-exfoliating cleanser. Apply a mild moisturizer or a hyaluronic acid serum to keep skin hydrated. Avoid any products with active ingredients like retinol, AHAs/BHAs (glycolic acid, salicylic acid), or vitamin C for at least 3-4 days post-treatment, as these could irritate your skin while it’s healing. Stick to bland, nourishing products (we can recommend specific ones). Also avoid direct sun exposure and wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher from day 2 onward when going outside. (If day 1 you must be outside for a bit, wear a hat; sunscreen might sting if applied too soon, but by the next day it should be fine to use).

By Day 3-5: Any residual redness usually is gone. Some people might experience a light peeling or flaking around day 3 – that’s just the old skin shedding as new skin cells come through. Don’t pick or manually exfoliate it; let it come off naturally or gently use a soft cloth when cleansing if needed. Your skin will start to look more normal, and many notice a healthy glow by day 5 or so as the initial regeneration kicks in. Continue to avoid aggressive skincare. If you were using retinol or strong actives, you can typically resume them about 5-7 days after microneedling (we’ll guide you based on your specific routine).

As for downtime: most patients are comfortably back to all regular activities (including light makeup if needed) by the 48-hour mark. Some do it on a Friday so that by Monday they’re fully presentable. It’s really quite manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I see results and how many treatments do I need?
Microneedling results are not instant, but you can often see a post-treatment glow within a week once the initial redness settles. However, the collagen remodeling takes a bit longer – over the next 4-6 weeks, you’ll gradually notice improvements: skin might feel firmer, hyperpigmentation can lighten, and the overall texture is smoother. For issues like acne scars or deeper wrinkles, multiple sessions are required. Typically, we recommend a series of about 3 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart for general rejuvenation. For deeper acne scarring, it might be 4-6 sessions. Each treatment builds on the last, stimulating more collagen. Once you achieve desired results, maintenance sessions (perhaps 1-2 per year) can help sustain your skin improvements. The exact number will depend on your skin condition and goals – we’ll create a personalized plan. Keep in mind, collagen continues to build for months after each session, so improvements can continue well after the series is done.

Is microneedling safe for all skin types?
One of the great things about microneedling is that it’s generally safe for all skin types and tones. Unlike lasers, which carry a risk of pigmentation issues especially in darker skin, microneedling doesn’t use heat and thus has a much lower risk of causing hyperpigmentation. In fact, it’s a preferred treatment for darker-skinned individuals to address scars or wrinkles safely. That said, if someone has a very reactive skin condition (like active eczema, psoriasis, or open acne pustules in the area), we would postpone treating those areas until they are under control. Also, if you are prone to keloid scarring, we’d evaluate whether microneedling is appropriate – shallow depths might be fine, but very deep needling might stimulate too much response. We adjust needle depth and technique based on individual needs. Overall, it’s versatile and safe across the board when done correctly.

Does microneedling hurt or bleed a lot?
With proper numbing, most people find microneedling to be quite tolerable. You’ll feel something, but it’s often described more as a vibration or a mild scratching, not a sharp pain. Some areas are more sensitive – for instance, the forehead (where skin is thin on bone) might feel more intense compared to the cheeks which are fleshier. We can always add more numbing or take a short break if you need it. As for bleeding, there will be pinpoint bleeding in areas – especially where skin is thinner or where we go a bit deeper for scars. It’s usually not like a flowing bleed, just tiny dots that quickly stop by the end of the procedure. The presence of a little blood is actually a sign we reached a good depth to spur healing. We often wipe it away as we go, and by the time we finish and do a cooling mask, you’re not bleeding anymore. It looks a bit dramatic during the process (those vampire facial selfies look quite bloody), but rest assured you won’t be walking out with blood on your face – just redness. If the sight of blood makes you squeamish, let us know – we can talk you through it or use techniques to minimize the visual (like working in smaller sections so it’s cleaned up quickly).

Can microneedling be combined with other treatments?
Yes, and we often do! A popular combo is microneedling with PRP or PRF (as mentioned) – after microneedling, we can apply your platelet concentrate onto the skin, and the channels allow deeper penetration. Or we can inject PRF before or after microneedling for added benefit. Microneedling also pairs nicely with treatments like chemical peels (doing a light peel a couple weeks after can enhance results, or vice versa). We typically would not do it on the same day as injectables like fillers or Botox, to avoid too much going on at once, but they can certainly be part of the same overall plan. For example, some patients get fillers and Botox, then a couple weeks later start microneedling sessions to improve skin texture – that way you address volume, wrinkles, and surface quality all in a month’s time. Microneedling is also great after an acne regime – if you’ve cleared active acne and are left with scars, we then do microneedling to resurface. One caution: we don’t microneedle over active acne or infections to avoid spreading bacteria. Also, if you’re doing something like laser resurfacing, we’d separate those from microneedling by a suitable gap and decide which to do first based on the primary issue. But overall, microneedling is a wonderful addition to a comprehensive skin program and works synergistically with many other procedures.

Are there any side effects or risks?
When performed by trained professionals under sterile conditions (which we strictly adhere to), microneedling has a low risk profile. The expected side effects are as discussed: temporary redness, mild swelling, and possible slight flaking. Infection is a very rare risk – we use one-time use needles and proper skin prep, so that mitigates it. It’s important that you follow aftercare too (keeping it clean, no dirty makeup brushes, etc., for a few days). Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is possible if you have a lot of sun exposure after or if you have a very aggressive treatment and a predisposition – this is more of a concern in darker skin if depths are too deep. But by following sun avoidance and using SPF, and by us not going unnecessarily deep or harsh, the risk is extremely low. Some people might get a mild acne flare or some whiteheads a few days after – this can happen as the skin is renewing (and maybe product or serum used could clog a bit). It’s usually transient; we can advise on gentle exfoliation or toner use after day 3-4 to clear that if it occurs. In terms of scarring, ironically a treatment meant to improve scars can theoretically cause a scar if done improperly (like dragging too much or going too deep causing tissue damage). But our technique is controlled and we target appropriate depths, so we haven’t seen any adverse scarring. Overall, microneedling is very safe. You will be provided all information to ensure you’re comfortable and informed. Our patients generally love that it’s a straightforward, effective procedure with lots of benefits for the skin.