Microneedling: What is it?

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that is minimally invasive and treats various skin concerns such as scarring, stretch marks, fine lines and wrinkles. Also referred to as collagen induction therapy (CIT), this treatment tackles these skin conditions via collagen production—a major “building block” protein that gives structure to your skin, bones and tendons.

In addition to anti-aging procedures (eyelid surgery & sunspots), mircroneedling is used to tackle and improve acne scars. However, for all its benefits, microneedling is not so effective for hair-loss, despite the theorised connection between collagen & hair growth. If you’re in excellent health and you have particular skin concerns that haven’t responded positively to various other treatments, then you will be a great candidate for microneedling treatment.

Microneedling is also a great final step to consider trying before moving onto cosmetic surgery. Read on to find out more about microneedling so that you can decide as to whether or not this treatment is suitable to you.

Microneedling: How does it work?

We appreciate that anything with the term “needling” in it doesn’t sound too attractive. However, this is a minimally invasive treatment that comes with very few risks and side effects. But before we get into that, let’s talk about how the procedure itself works.

During the procedure, your doctor will make tiny pricks underneath the skin using a mirconeedling tool. These pricks are very small, so you won’t be able to notice them after the procedure. Microneedling encourages your skin to make more collagen by inflicting minor injury. This new skin will be even in tone and texture, and the collagen-rich tissue will be much firmer as well, giving you a younger, healthier appearance.

Prior to starting the procedure, you will be given a topical anesthetic significantly reducing the chance of you feeling any pain. Typically speaking, this will be done an hour before starting the treatment—which will then take approximately 30 minutes to complete. So, you shouldn’t be in the clinic for much longer than a couple of hours in total.

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Which areas does Mirconeedling target?

Microneedling is typically used on the face, targeting the following skin conditions:

acne scars
sunspots (AKA age spots)
wrinkles and fine lines
general scars & blemishes
large pores
skin with an uneven tone
elasticity

In addition to these facial skin conditions, microneedling can also be used on the body to treat stretch marks (e.g., on the abdomen & thighs).

Microneedling risks & potential side effects

Again, this is a minimally invasive procedure, but that’s not to say that there aren’t risks involved. A microneedling device is used to create tiny pinpricks on your skin so it’s not uncommon for people to suffer from minor skin irritation directly after the procedure. Other side effects include:

bleeding
peeling
infection
bruising

For the most part however, microneedling is a safe procedure designed to improve your facial beauty with little risk to your health. So, if you would like to increase the collagen-rich skin on your face for a fresh, younger appearance, then it is almost certainly worth trialing.

What constitutes an unsuitable candidate for microneedling?

Unfortunately, not everyone is a suitable candidate for microneedling, so before booking an appointment you must do your due diligence and ensure that it will be safe for you to do so. If any of the following points apply to you, then you might not be a suitable candidate:

you are pregnant
you suffer from eczema or psoriasis
have open wounds on your flesh
have a history of scarring
have recently had radiation therapy

If you’re uncertain then you must contact your local microneedling clinic to find out more information. It may also be worth speaking with your personal doctor for some advice as well.

How much will microneedling cost me?

Microneedling can vary in price being anywhere from ฿3000 to $20000 per session. The average facial treatment will likely be around the ฿10000 mark. That said, you shouldn’t necessarily go hunting for the cheapest treatment. Find a clinic that you feel comfortable with.

Of course, microneedling is a cosmetic treatment so it will not be covered by insurance. Thus, if you’re looking to save as much money as possible, your chosen clinic may be able to offer an affordable payment plan for you.

You must also consider the fact that there will likely be multiple treatments required for the best results. This means that there will be cumulative costs, so do your research prior to making any commitments. You might want some advice on the current condition of your skin and how many treatments it is likely to take you to achieve your desired results. Each candidate is very different and that way, you won’t run the risk of underestimating how much money will be involved to get to where you want to be.

What to expect after the microneedling procedure

The great thing about microneedling as a beauty treatment is the fact that there is very little recovery time needed at all. If all goes well then you should be able to resume your normal day-to-day activities as soon as your comfortable. As mentioned before, you may experience some redness and irritation to the face, however this shouldn’t persist for very long at all.

One thing that you will notice, is that your skin will be temporarily more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, wearing sunblock when out during the day will be an absolute must. Provided that you follow your doctor’s instructions for caring for your skin, you should be back to normal in no time.

How soon will I see positive results after the procedure?

Your skin works very quickly to repair itself, so you should see very positive results within as little as two weeks. Prior to beginning your treatment, your doctor will work with you to find the best plan so that you can maintain your new look through multiple treatments. Again, this all comes down to you as an individual and what you’d like to achieve.

Microneedling VS home treatments

Some people suggest that there are other less invasive treatments that you can do by yourself, whilst saving a lot of money, including home rollers. The trouble with this is that they are significantly less effective than having microneedling done in a professional environment. The same applies to at-home microneedling which is also an option that you can explore. However, a trained hand with significant experience in microneedling is always the best option, particularly if you’re looking for an even complexion and the best beauty results.

As a rule, we would advise against using home products such as personal microneedling devices. If the treatment was entirely non-invasive then a home kit could be a viable option. However, since microneedling devices are designed to make tiny pinpricks under the skin, it should always be done by a trained professional to avoid risk of infection.