Non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments, like microneedling and laser therapies, are often recommended before signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. They have a chance provide subtle improvements in the appearance of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or acne scarring without the downtime necessary after more advanced surgical procedures. According to Dr. Jacqueline Watchmaker of U.S. Dermatology Partners Scottsdale, “Plastic surgery delivers dramatic results for those with sagging skin or more advanced signs of aging, but non-surgical skin rejuvenation options provide a refreshed look without the downtime and discomfort of surgery. Microneedling and laser treatment are two of the go-to treatments I recommend for my patients who want to prevent signs of aging as well as improving overall skin tone and texture. These treatments work well for acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and other minor to moderate irregularities in skin’s appearance.” In this blog, Dr. Watchmaker compares microneedling vs laser therapies to help you make an informed decision.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a cosmetic dermatology treatment that uses small-gauge needles to create micro-injuries on the surface of skin. These controlled injuries stimulate the body’s wound healing process, which leads to numerous microneedling benefits like accelerated collagen and elastin production and smoother skin.
Benefits of Microneedling
- Stimulates natural collagen and elastin production from within.
- Improves overall skin tone and texture for healthier appearance.
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars.
- Minimizes to some degree the development of new skin aging signs.
- Minimal downtime.
- Provides a safe, effective skin rejuvenation option for all skin types, including sensitive skin and skin of color.
Popular Microneedling Treatments at U.S. Dermatology Partners
- SkinPen Microneedling – this FDA-cleared microneedling device is ideal for improving the appearance of acne scars, fine lines, and enlarged pores.
- Vivace RF Microneedling – this device combines microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy for enhanced stimulation of collagen and elastin.
What Are Laser Treatments?
Laser therapy uses focused light energy to target specific structures in the skin. Ablative lasers are one of the most aggressive laser treatments. These lasers (such as CO2 and erbium lasers) remove (ablate) parts of the skin to stimulate collagen remodeling and skin regeneration. These lasers are helpful for deeper wrinkles and scars. Non-ablative lasers (Fraxel Dual, Clear and Brilliant, etc.) use heat to target the epidermis and dermis without removing skin. While less aggressive than ablative lasers, nonablative lasers still do a wonderful job stimulating collagen production, improving the health of the skin, and reducing pigmentation. Fine lines and scars can also be improved with a series of treatments.
Other laser treatments include vascular lasers (Pulsed Dye Laser, Nd:Yag Laser) which specifically target redness in the skin, and pigment specific lasers (Alexandrite laser, Ruby laser) which can specifically brown spots. There are also lasers specific for targeting hair follicles used for laser hair removal.
Benefits of Laser Treatments
- Can be used to precisely target pigmentation, sun damage, and fine lines.
- Stimulates collagen and elastin production with less post-procedure downtime.
- Vascular lasers reduce the appearance of skin redness and broken capillaries.
Popular Laser Treatments at U.S. Dermatology Partners
- Clear + Brilliant Laser Treatment – this gentle, non-ablative laser is ideal for improving the early signs of aging and for maintaining the skin. Downtime is approximately 3 days.
- Fraxel – a fractional laser helps address irregular pigmentation, fine lines, and texture with about a week of relative downtime.
- CO2 Laser Resurfacing and Erbium Resurfacing – more powerful ablative lasers that are best suited for improving the appearance of deeper wrinkles, more advanced sun damage, and significant skin texture irregularities.
Microneedling vs. Laser: What’s the Difference?
According to Dr. Watchmaker, “Overall microneedling is a great gentle treatment for those who don’t have much downtime but looking to stimulate collagen and subtly improve texture. For those with more significant sun damage, wrinkles, broken capillaries or pigmentation, laser treatment is likely more suitable. Nevertheless, it’s essential to consult your dermatologist. They can help you explore the many differences and understand how will impact your skin.”
Here’s a basic overview comparing the two treatment options:
| Feature | Microneedling | Nonablative Laser | Ablative laser |
| Mechanism | Tiny needles create controlled micro-injuries | Heats dermis without removing skin | Vaporizes epidermis _heats dermis for deeper remodeling |
| Depth | Variable, up to 2.5mm | Dermis (non-destructive to epidermis) | Epidermis + dermis |
| Skin Concerns | Mild irregular texture, mild scarring | Pigmentation, fine lines, sun damage, mild to moderate texture | Severe texture, severe acne scarring, deep wrinkles |
| Downtime | Minimal (1-3 days) | Varies (up to a week+) | 1-3 weeks (with pinkness lasting weeks to months) |
| Discomfort | Mild (topical numbing typically used) | Mild to moderate depending on laser type (topical numbing typically used) | Mild to moderate (injectable numbing and other pain measures used) |
When to Choose One Over the Other
As Dr. Watchmaker mentioned above, your dermatology provider is your best resource when choosing between these two skin rejuvenation treatments. However, the ideal candidates for each type of procedure are listed below.
Best Candidates for Microneedling
- Individuals with sensitive skin.
- Those with darker skin tones.
- Patients looking for gradual, subtle improvements.
- Those who prefer little to no downtime post-procedure.
- Patients who want to address mild acne scars or early signs of aging.
Best Candidates for Laser Treatments
- Patients with sun damage.
- Those who want to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
- Individuals who want to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles.
- Those who are okay with longer downtime after treatment.
- Patients with fair to medium skin tones as some lasers may not be suitable for darker skin.
Can You Combine Microneedling and Laser?
Like many minimally invasive cosmetic dermatology treatments, microneedling and laser therapy can work well together. Dr. Watchmaker says, “When combined, laser and microneedling therapies work together to boost the skin rejuvenating results. I often recommend alternating between the two to achieve and maintain a more even skin tone and texture.”
Example Combined Treatment Plan (for a ~40 year old patient with mild to moderate sun damage)
- Start with 1-3 nonablative laser treatments (like the Fraxel Dual). These are safe to space 1 month apart. Then as maintenance continue one laser treatment per year.
- In between maintenance laser treatments, consider lighter treatments like a microneedling treatment once a quarter
- Maintain results at home with consistent skincare.
What to Expect After Each Treatment
Dr. Watchmaker says, “Post-procedure healing time is one of the determining factors for many patients when it comes to choosing between microneedling and laser treatments. Both are minimally invasive but healing time and discomfort after treatment sessions vary between the two.”
Post-Treatment Care Tips
- Microneedling – mild redness, bruising and skin sensitivity lasting for the first 24 to 48 hours is typical. Minimize your skincare routine during these first few days. Use a gentle cleanser and apply moisturizer morning and evening.
- Laser treatments –After a non-ablative laser treatment, swelling, skin sensitivity, and a rough texture to the skin occurs. After an ablative laser treatment there is oozing, crusting, and more significant downtime. Avoid sun exposure and use dermatologist-recommended skin recovery products to treat the affected area.
- Both – sun protection is crucial after either treatment. UV exposure compromises treatment results and increases risk for side effects. Make sure to minimize time in the sun and use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.
Recovery Time:
- Microneedling – side effects of microneedling treatment usually diminish within one to three days.
- Laser – for non-ablative laser treatments, symptoms typically resolve within a few days to a week. For ablative laser treatments, healing can take a week or longer depending on the intensity.
Consult a Dermatologist for Personalized Guidance
Considering microneedling or laser treatment? Schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist at U.S. Dermatology Partners to create a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals. One of our board-certified dermatologists can evaluate your skin, discuss your goals, and recommend the best approach, whether it’s microneedling, laser treatment, or a combination of both. Get started by taking a moment to complete our online scheduling request form.
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