Upkeep's Guide to Microneedling

When it comes to treating skin texture, clinical microneedling is one of the best treatments out there. That’s why we’re adding it to our treatment menu on the Upkeep app. How does microneedling work, and what can it do for your skin? Keep reading to find out. 

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What microneedling does

Microneedling is the process of creating tiny punctures in the skin with many tiny, tiny needles. These punctures signal to the body that healing the skin is necessary, so your body reacts by increasing collagen in treated areas to restore the skin. Here are the concerns that microneedling will improve:

• skin texture
• post-inflammatory pigmentation
• pitted acne scars
• fine lines and wrinkles
• surgical or burn related scarring
• melasma
• stretch marks

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In other words, if you’re looking to improve the tone or texture of your skin, microneedling can help. 

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Why is clinical microneedling better than at-home tools?

The at-home tools don’t go as deep into the skin, meaning the results won’t be as dramatic. Plus, a qualified treatment provider is there to ensure you are safe throughout the treatment. People can–and do–misuse at-home microneedling tools. As a rule, if there’s a needle (or thousands of tiny needles) involved–we only trust qualified medical providers. 

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Can microneedling help acne?

You may see some conflicting info about this online, but we say it’s best to avoid microneedling when you have active acne or other inflammatory conditions like psoriasis or eczema. For active acne, we recommend speaking with a dermatologist about what treatment options are best for you depending on the severity and possible causes of your acne. Once your acne has improved, microneedling can help with the post inflammatory marks and scars that acne leaves behind. 

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Is microneedling painful?

Little needles in your face definitely sounds like it would hurt–and we won’t sugarcoat it, it’s not pain free. But it’s also not as bad as you might think. Because the needles are so thin and tiny, the sensation is less intense than you would expect. Your provider will also apply a numbing cream which keeps things more comfortable. You may still experience some discomfort in sensitive areas like the jawline or hairline.  

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What are the side effects of microneedling?

One of the big upsides of microneedling is that it typically requires very little downtime. You may have some redness for about 24 hours post treatment, but you can usually resume your usual activities after a day or two. Be sure to follow all your provider’s instructions for post-treatment care, and avoid sun exposure directly afterwards. 

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Is microneedling safe for dark skin tones?

Yes! For a while, a myth persisted that microneedling should be avoided by those with darker skin tones. But as long as the treatment is done properly and the patient follows preparation and aftercare instructions, the risk of adverse effects is extremely minimal. 

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Is microneedling like Botox?

Microneedling works in a completely different way than Botox. Botox temporarily paralyzes muscles in order to relax the look of existing wrinkles and prevent wrinkles from forming in parts of the face that are especially mobile when we make expressions, like the forehead, in between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet on the outer corner of the eyes. Microneedling doesn’t paralyze muscles or directly treat wrinkles, but because it increases collagen production, it softens the look of wrinkles and fine lines. If wrinkles and fine lines are your primary concern, Botox (or other neuromodulators like Dysport) are the way to go. But microneedling won’t make wrinkles worse, and may temporarily make them look better. 

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How microneedling works for acne scars

When microneedling creates little channels in the skin that need repair, it boosts collagen, which improves the look of acne scars. And, microneedling also breaks down scar tissue and allows scarred areas to receive nourishment again. It is best for pitted acne scars rather than raised ones. 

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How long does it take to see results from microneedling?

You’ll start seeing results about four to six weeks after your treatment, with full results typically appearing after three to five months. 

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Are microneedling results permanent?

Microneedling results are not permanent, but they are long-lasting with a full course of treatment. You will typically have an initial round of several treatment sessions, depending on your goals. After that, you’ll need maintenance treatments to keep up the results–you may get maintenance treatments a couple times a year, or even just once a year. 

Where can I find microneedling near me?

If you’re ready to find a provider and learn more about what this treatment can do for your skin, we have great news. We’ve created an app that makes it super easy to find, book, and pay for MedSpa treatments, including microneedling. It’s an app called Upkeep, and we partner with only the best MedSpas in your area so you can book with confidence. Download the app to book a consultation today!