Whether you’re looking to improve skin health, build collagen, improve scarring, or reduce pore size, fine lines and aging, you may be surprised to hear that microneedling is a treatment option to address all these skin health concerns. According to Dr. Jennifer Sawaya of U.S. Dermatology Partners Scottsdale, “Microneedling is a beneficial treatment for a variety of skincare needs, and it’s beneficial to improve overall skin health. If you’re struggling with a chronic skin condition or generally poor skin health, microneedling may help you unlock healthier skin by harnessing natural healing abilities. Every person’s microneedling treatment plan will be unique to their needs and goals. That means the results may require a different number of treatment sessions or take longer to develop.” In this blog, Dr. Sawaya talks about microneedling benefits and what to expect from the results of microneedling.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a cosmetic dermatology solution that utilizes a handheld device fitted with small-gauge needles to make microscopic punctures in the skin. Injuring skin doesn’t sound like it would be beneficial, but it jumpstarts the skin’s healing processes. When skin heals, dead or damaged cells are shed, revealing healthy, new skin cells. The production of collagen and elastin increases, leading to smooth, firm skin. This can be beneficial in improving skin’s overall appearance and health.
There are microneedling devices that can be used at home or in non-clinical spa settings. These devices are designed to be gentler and should not puncture the skin. The results are less effective than professional procedures. Because the microneedling results aren’t as pronounced, at-home microneedling may be risky because people overuse these products in an attempt to achieve the same results possible in a dermatology office. In most cases, that simply leads to irritated skin, but these non-professional treatments can also lead to scarring and infection if the microneedling device is used aggressively or not cleaned appropriately. Finally, at-home microneedling spread skin infections, warts, and other skin health concerns. It’s always best to make the safe choice and receive treatment from a board-certified dermatologist.
How Many Microneedling Sessions Do You Need?
The number of microneedling sessions will depend on a variety of factors. Dr. Sawaya explains, “The patient’s reason for seeking microneedling, their skin type, general skin health, age, skin laxity, and a variety of other factors will all play a role in the number of microneedling sessions you need. During your microneedling consultation, the dermatologist will carefully examine your skin, discuss your treatment goals, and help you develop a treatment plan.”
While treatment plans will vary, a common microneedling protocol is outlined below:
- Initial treatment – your first microneedling session is essential in planning your ongoing treatments. After your initial session, you and your dermatologist will monitor your skin as it heals to determine the ideal frequency and number of additional sessions needed to achieve your goal.
- Goal achievement sessions – every four to six weeks, you’ll receive an additional treatment until you achieve your desired skin health goal. Usually, between four and eight total microneedling sessions are needed.
- Maintenance sessions – dermatologists usually recommend periodic retreatment sessions to ensure you maintain the results. Once or twice a year microneedling sessions are typically adequate, but more frequent retreatment may be recommended in some situations.
How Long Between Microneedling Sessions?
Dr. Sawaya says, “The time between microneedling sessions will be best determined by monitoring your skin as it heals following your first treatment session. In most cases, I recommend waiting four to six weeks between each session. This allows the skin plenty of time to fully heal before the next round of microneedling. Additionally, this wait time ensures complete skin cell turnover and adequate collagen and elastin production. After subsequent microneedling treatments, you’ll notice that the results build upon the previous treatments, leading to continued improvement.”
How Long Does It Take to See Results from Microneedling?
The results of microneedling will vary, but an average timeline based on the common uses for microneedling is outlined below:
- Skin-firming and anti-aging – three to four weeks after microneedling sessions, you should see smoother, firmer skin. After each treatment, skin laxity will continue to improve. You should achieve the ideal results three to six months following your final treatment session. You can maintain these results with periodic retreatment as recommended by your dermatologist.
- Scar reduction – in most cases, patients will need a higher number of treatment sessions to improve the appearance of scars, but the good news is that retreatment isn’t usually necessary once the desired results are achieved. In most cases, six to eight microneedling sessions spaced out by at least a month are required with the final results being achieved three to six months following the last microneedling session.
- Fine lines and wrinkles – because fine lines and wrinkles continue to develop over time, microneedling to improve the appearance wrinkles and fine lines will need retreatment to maintain results. The initial series of microneedling sessions is usually five to six treatments with six weeks or longer between visits to ensure maximum healing time. Retreatment sessions may be recommended every three to four months to maintain your results.
Tips for Optimizing Microneedling Results
When it comes to optimizing microneedling results, Dr. Sawaya recommends:
- Take it easy – for the first 48 hours, plan to rest and relax. This allows your body to direct energy toward healing.
- Stay cool – heat from high temperatures, exercise, or other strenuous activities, especially when it causes sweating, can lead to skin irritation.
- Stay sun safe – following microneedling, your healing skin will be more sensitive to the sun’s damaging UV rays. Limit sun exposure and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day.
- Keep skin clean – it’s important to keep skin clean as it heals following microneedling, but you shouldn’t use harsh cleansers or other skincare products that could cause unnecessary irritation or inflammation. For the first few weeks following microneedling, keep your skincare routine simple, beginning with using a gentle cleanser twice a day.
- Moisturize – healing skin can be dry and flaky after microneedling. Apply a healing ointment or soothing moisturizer twice a day.
- Minimize cosmetics – it can be tempting to conceal any redness or swelling following microneedling with makeup, but this can cause irritation and increase risk for infection. Wait at least 48 hours after microneedling treatment to apply makeup and choose lightweight, anti-comedogenic products that won’t clog pores.
- Follow aftercare instructions – each person’s situation is different, so it’s important to follow your dermatologist’s aftercare instructions. They understand your skincare needs and will help you achieve your treatment goals.
Achieve & Maintain a Youthful, Healthy Look with Microneedling
According to Dr. Sawaya, microneedling is a versatile cosmetic dermatology solution. It utilizes your body’s natural healing abilities to promote skin cell turnover, stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, and generally improve skin’s texture and as well as the creating a smooth, bright complexion. If you’re looking to improve your skin’s health and appearance, microneedling may be exactly what you need.”
Schedule a Microneedling Consultation
While microneedling is beneficial to achieve many goals related to skin health and appearance, it’s not right for everyone. To get started, you’ll schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable dermatologist. If you’re interested in working with one of the board-certified dermatologists at U.S. Dermatology Partners, it’s simple to begin. You’ll just need to take a few moments to submit a scheduling request online. Once we hear from you, we’ll be in touch to finalize the details of your upcoming visit.
Find a location near me
or
