Micro-needling works by encouraging your skin to make more collagen. The idea is that pinpricks from the procedure cause slight injury to the skin and that the skin responds by healing the pricks by  making new collagen-rich tissue. This new skin tissue is, in turn, more even in tone and texture. It’s normal for the skin to lose collagen via age or injury. By encouraging the skin to make new tissue, there may be more collagen to help make the skin firmer, too.

Procedure for micro-needling

During the procedure,the therapist makes small pricks under the skin with a Dermapen tool. The pinpricks are so small that you likely won’t notice them after the procedure. The Dermapen will be moved evenly across your skin so that the new skin that rejuvenates will be even.

Before getting started, your therapist will apply a topical anesthetic to reduce the chances of pain. This is done about an hour before your treatment. The actual micro-needling process takes approximately 30 minutes.

On completion of the session the therapist may then apply a calming treatment. In total, you can expect to be at the office for a couple of hours at least.

Targeted areas for micro-needling

Micro-needling is most often used on your face to target:

• acne scars
• age spots (also called “sun spots”)
• fine lines and wrinkles
• large pores
• other types of scarsTrusted Source
• reduced skin elasticity
• uneven skin tone

In addition to facial concerns, micro-needling is sometimes used to treat stretch marks in other areas of the body. One studyTrusted Source found that micro-needling was effective for stretch marks on the thighs and abdominal area when combined with fillers.

Are there any risks or side effects?

Like all cosmetic procedures, micro-needling isn’t without risk. The most common side effect is minor skin irritation immediately following the procedure. You may also see redness for a few days. Call your doctor if you notice more severe side effects, such as:

• bleeding
• bruising
• infection
• peeling

You may not be an ideal candidate for micro-needling if you:

• are pregnant
• have certain skin diseases, such as psoriasis or eczema
• have open wounds
• have had radiation therapy recently
• have a history of skin scars
• are sunburned

What to expect after microneedling

Micro-needling isn’t invasive like plastic surgery, so the recovery time is minimal. Most people require very little downtime, if any at all.

You may notice skin irritation and redness within the first few days following the procedure. This is a natural response to the small “injuries” made by the needles in your skin.

You can go back to work or school after the procedure if you’re comfortable. If you are concerned about your look, speak to your therapist about suitable camouflage makeup for the first few days as the redness dissipates.

Your skin will also be more sensitive to the sun, so sunscreen is a must.

After micro-needling, your skin works fairly quickly to rejuvenate new tissue. In theory, you should see results within a couple of weeks.

To maintain the results of your treatment, you’ll need multiple sessions and perhaps other complementing treatments. Your therapist will advise you on the best plan of action based on your individual goals.

Preparing for micro-needling

Before the procedure, talk to your therapist about ways you can prepare so you have the best possible outcome. You may need to stop taking certain medications, such as ibuprofen and those for acne treatment, well in advance of the procedure.

We recommend you speak to your doctor about  stopping the use of topical retinoids beforehand. Doing so may reduce the risk of certain side effects.

Micro-needling vs. home rollers

Micro-needling is a professional procedure that’s performed in a clinic or day spa. In an effort to save money, some people opt for home rollers instead. Unlike professional micro-needling, rollers don’t puncture the skin hardly at all.

While this might seem a less painful option, the problem is that you won’t achieve the same results. The punctures made during professional micro-needling are designed to induce skin rejuvenation.

With a roller device, you may achieve brighter skin at best, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.