Does Microneedling At Home Work
Microneedling at home is a great option if you’re looking for an alternative to professional treatments or want to save money. However, it’s important that you know what you’re doing before starting this process so that you don’t end up hurting yourself or damaging your skin by accident. If you do decide to give it a try, we recommend starting with something simple like hyaluronic acid injections (which cost less than $100 per session) and then moving on from there as necessary.
In this guide, we find out Does Microneedling At Home Work, how often should you do microneedling at home, microneedling at home for hair loss, and microneedling at home vs professional.
The first time I witnessed the magic of microneedling, I sat in a room at a dermatologist’s office, holding my sister’s iced tea and watching her face bleed. (She’d gotten enough topical anesthesia to numb an elephant—don’t worry.) But the results were worth it: Her skin was glowing and clear just in time for her wedding.
“Microneedling is the creation of small micro-channels and injuries to your skin with acupuncture-size needles,” says Melissa K. Levin, M.D., a dermatologist at Entière Dermatology in New York City. “Your body will respond to these micro-injuries naturally by stimulating and producing collagen, which can treat fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, stretch marks, acne scars, and textural concerns.”
But all of that payoff is the work of in-office microneedling, which requires a licensed aesthetician or dermatologist as well as good layer of anesthesia, depending on your pain tolerance.
So when NYC dermatologist Dendy Engelman, M.D., recommended microneedling at home as a possible solution for acne scars, I was intrigued. I could do this? On my couch? While re-binging episodes of Gossip Girl? I couldn’t sign up fast enough, having recently endured a months-long breakout that left my skin blotchy and uneven.
The benefits of microneedling at home
Although at-home microneedling won’t nab you quite the same results (the needles are both shorter and duller), it can still offer benefits. “At-home rollers don’t pierce your skin as deeply as the medical-grade devices, but they can be used to enhance the penetration of products—be it hydrating, brightening, or rejuvenating actives—that are applied postperforation, as it creates these open channels,” says Engelman.
The other obvious plus is the price. While some of the best at-home dermarollers are still rather expensive—the BeautyBio GloPRO Microneedling Facial Regeneration Tool I tried is $199, for example—they don’t seem as much when you consider the average cost of a single in-office microneedling session is $625.
I’ve never been a fan of needles. I’m not saying I cry whenever I have to get a shot—okay, maybe I tear up a little—but using a needle device, even a “microneedle,” as part of my skincare routine seemed too terrifying to even try. But then I ended up going down a TikTok rabbit hole about microneedling and dermaplaning (opens in new tab) and their benefits—glowy skin and improved texture, to name just a couple—and knew I needed to try it.
While microneedling is designed to be done by a professional, there are options for microneedling at home, too. But let me—and the microneedling expert I spoke to, innovative tool guru Kerry Benjamin (opens in new tab)—be very clear: Using a derma roller at home can be dangerous and damage your skin if not done properly. As ever, always make sure to talk to your dermatologist or esthetician.
How does microneedling work?
Microneedling is exactly what it sounds like: the process of using a derma roller (opens in new tab) on your face. A derma roller (opens in new tab) is made up of clusters of tiny needles that penetrate the skin when rolled across the face.
According to Benjamin, there are two main benefits to microneedling: “It stimulates epidermal growth factors to boost collagen and elastin that plump and firm skin, and it increases absorption of active ingredients by 90 percent, making this procedure one of the most powerful and effective ways to stop early signs of aging.”
Microneedling sets the stage for dewy skin and an even complexion, thanks to the collagen being produced more regularly. It also helps with fine lines, age spots, and acne scarring (opens in new tab)—what can’t it do?
Is microneedling at home safe?
As stated above, professionals are your best bet for a thoroughly safe—and more effective—microneedling process. However, microneedling can be done safely at home, too. The most important thing to be certain about: The needle size.
“At-home microneedling should be done with rollers that are .2mm,” says Benjamin. “These are considered cosmetic needling and safe and effective to use at home daily for great results. Needles .5mm and longer should always be used by a licensed professional.”
And I’m sorry to say this, but if you’re dealing with active acne, you should skip at-home microneedling, or else you might be spreading bacteria and causing more problems. However, Benjamin adds that a derma roller can be used on acne that is not pustular, e.g. filled with fluid or pus: “ If you have a pimple, you can roll around it. For cystic acne, it’s great to use to help drive actives deeper into the lesion to treat it quickly.”
Try These Microneedling Devices
How do I use a derma roller at home?
First things first: Make you’re using a sanitized device—you should always clean your device before and after each use—and that the needles are not too dull. You’ll know it’s time to change your dermaroller head when you start to feel resistance when using a roller. Here’s your step-by-step guide to microneedling, per Benjamin:
Which products work best with microneedling?
Serums that have active ingredients, like skin-plumping hyaluronic acid (opens in new tab), and growth factors to help maintain healthy skin. “These are the types of ingredients that will really maximize the effects of microneedling to stimulate collagen, speed up cell turnover, lift hyperpigmentation (opens in new tab), smooth out fine lines, (opens in new tab) firm, plump, and hydrate,” Benjamin says.
Shop These Serums for Ultimate Glow
What should I do after microneedling at home?
The inflammation and redness will usually calm down in about an hour. Make sure to avoid using retinol (opens in new tab) or retinoid products, and especially Vitamin C, (opens in new tab) warns Benjamin. “Vitamin C can be very active and unstable and cause a lot of irritation, especially because it is being driven deeper into the skin,” he says.
On the flip side, serums and moisturizers (opens in new tab) that contain peptides, growth factors, and hyaluronic acid are fair game. In fact, they’re encouraged to help with cell turnover and ensuring skin grows healthy and strong.
When will I see results?
Benjamin says that if you keep a solid rolling regime with the right serums you will start seeing results in a couple of weeks. “I always say, ‘the more you roll, the more you glow’! However, the results will vary depending on your skin condition and concern.”
You’ll know it’s working when your skin starts to look healthier and more radiant. The overall texture of your skin will improve, leaving a smooth and even brighter complexion.
Does Microneedling At Home Work
Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy or micro-needling, is a minimally invasive skin treatment that’s gaining popularity. Microneedling can be done at home with a derma roller or other microneedling device. The key to getting good results with microneedling at home is knowing how to use your equipment properly and taking care of your skin afterward. It’s important to note that before attempting any DIY microneedle treatments with a derma roller (or any other device), you should always consult with your doctor first so they can examine your skin and make sure it’s healthy enough for such treatment methods in order to avoid damaging it further or causing side effects such as infections due to bacteria entering through small openings made on the surface of skin during use.
Microneedling at home does work.
You can definitely use microneedling at home. The results will vary from person to person, but it’s a great way to get into the skin care game if you’re new to it. You just need to know what you’re doing if you want good results!
It’s important that you purchase a high quality microneedling tool for this purpose–just like any other beauty product or procedure (including professional microdermabrasion), there are plenty of low-quality options out there that won’t give your skin the kind of care it needs.
Results from microneedling at home vary from person to person, depending on several factors.
The results of microneedling at home are not permanent. The effects of the treatment are temporary, and they only last as long as you continue to use the device. If you stop using your microneedling device, your skin will return to its previous state over time.
The length of time it takes for your skin to revert back to its pre-treatment state will depend on a few factors:
- How frequently you perform the procedure (i.e., once per week versus daily)
- What type of device you’re using (electronic vs manual)
You need to know what you’re doing if you want to microneedle at home.
If you’re going to microneedle at home, it’s important that you know what you’re doing. This is especially true if you plan on using any kind of tool or product other than a derma roller. If not done properly, microneedling could cause more damage than good.
One of the most important things when doing anything with needles is being careful with them and making sure they’re clean before use (and after). You should also be aware that there are some skin conditions that make it unsafe for people with those issues to try this method out at all–if this describes your situation, check out our article on how to treat acne scars instead!
Microneedling works best when done by a professional, but it can be an effective treatment for minor skin issues if you know how to do it safely.
Microneedling is a treatment for the skin. It can be done at home, but it’s not a substitute for professional medical care. If you’re going to try microneedling in your own home, make sure you know what you’re doing and take care not to hurt yourself or cause any damage to your skin.
how often should you do microneedling at home
The frequency of your treatments will depend on the length of your derma roller’s needles and your skin’s sensitivity. If your needles are shorter, you may be able to roll every other day, and if the needles are much longer, you may need to space out treatments every three to four weeks.
If you’re really looking to rev up your results, you may want to consider adding in additional skin care treatments between your microneedling sessions.
According to Dermascope, a professional skin care journal, microneedling and chemical peels produce better results as complementary treatments when administered 4 to 6 weeks apart.
If your skin tolerates it, other treatments like gua sha and facial acupuncture may accelerate your results when interspersed with microneedling as well.
Does it hurt and can my skin get infected?
Remember, if you’re performing at-home microneedling, you will be puncturing your skin, so it’s unlikely that the treatment will be totally pleasant.
“The pain level depends on the aggressiveness of treatments,” Welsh says. “Bleeding always occurs and is pinpoint with lighter treatments and heavier with deeper treatments. The skin is open, so we recommend only using very specific bland, non-irritating products for the first 24 hours after treatment.”
“Safety first!” Robinson says. “Do not apply topicals [such as acids or harsh actives] that should not be paired with microneedling. Also, make sure you clean your needles after each use. Every time you pierce the skin, you have the risk of inducing an infection.”
While experts agree microneedling can be helpful for people looking to boost collagen and treat issues like fine lines and acne scars, not everyone is a candidate.
“Patients with rosacea tend not to tolerate microneedling,” Welsh says. “While some patients with active acne can benefit, we prefer to not treat active acne patients due the potential for flares. Patients with very thin skin and sensitive skin should avoid microneedling.”
Are you ready to commit for results?
At-home microneedling probably isn’t something most skin experts would endorse, but if you’re set on incorporating this skin care step into your routine, proceed with caution and do your research.
“The effectiveness of the treatments depends on the depth reached by the needle array [the length of the collection of needles on the device],” Welsh says.
Besides keeping safety top of mind, remember that these treatments require repetition. ResearchTrusted Source has shown long-term benefits from as little as three treatments, but again, individual success will depend on a variety of factors and a whole lot of patience.
“At-home devices do not have the capability to produce as much change as in-office medical grade devices,” Robinson says. “Remember, change takes time and best results are seen after a series of treatments.”
microneedling at home for hair loss
Microneedling for hair loss at home can be a very powerful procedure that restores your hair without having to spend thousands of dollars.
We hope that this comprehensive guide helped you appreciate the potential role of microneedling at home and how it helps with alopecia areata and androgenic alopecia. Optimally, you would speak with your primary care physician or dermatologist before embarking on this journey.
If you want to boost your microneedling effectiveness, why not try out our guaranteed hair growth solution?
What is microneedling?
Microneedling is a type of esthetic procedure that addresses a number of aging effects. You might find people calling this procedure skin needling, which is in reference to its effects on collagen production.
During this procedure, the practitioner will use a skin roller with small needles, causing minor skin lesions. Despite its reputation as an anti-aging treatment, microneedling can be very useful in the treatment of hair loss. In fact, there is some evidence that supports its efficacy in the management of androgenetic alopecia.
You see, the process of creating tiny wounds in the skin will also regenerate your hair follicles. Eventually, this might lead to new hair growth. At the very least, experts believe that microneedling for hair loss might help, which is a common issue in people with pattern hair loss (also known as pattern baldness).
Does microneedling work for hair loss?
Microneedling could be used either as an alternative treatment or adjuvant treatment to boost topical medications effectiveness for hair loss. It’ll help thicken hair, boost scalp health and maintain a fuller head of hair. There’s evidence that it’ll help against a type of hair loss called alopecia areata.
As we already know, oral finasteride and topical minoxidil are often used in treating AGA in men. However, these can have adverse side effects, such as erectile dysfunction or contact dermatitis. Thus, despite being less effective than Minoxidil treatment, microneedling can come in place as a treatment for those who do not respond or have developed side effects to minoxidil.
Microneedling works because it triggers the body’s natural production of collagen and elastin beneath the skin. By intentionally inducing tiny holes on the scalp surface, we boost these proteins to form in order to heal them. Studies show that this mechanism explains why microneedling can help with acne treatment too.
The second potential mechanism that explains the benefits of microneedling is the ability to activate stem cell regeneration and promote growth factors. As a result, hair growth in follicles can be seen again.
Finally, microneedling makes tiny holes during rolling, which allows drug delivery to specific sites. This could be very beneficial to absorb different hair loss treatment options, including:
More specifically, research found that microneedling is especially potent for the absorption of corticosteroids, which are often used to treat hair loss.
How does microneedling work?
During a microneedling session, a healthcare worker will use a roller with the needles. The needles are generally very tiny (i.e., around 1 millimeter in length). Moreover, they are contained in a handheld device called a roller.
According to some resources, microneedling provokes the release of factors that promote hair growth. The substances released by the skin injuries are able to induce hair cell growth and proliferation. Others believe that the direct injury to hair follicles is responsible for their regrowth.
Note that you will receive a local anesthetic applied to your scalp around 30-45 minutes before the procedure. While microneedling is rarely painful, this anesthetic prevents any pain you might feel.
Depending on how large the surface area is, the duration of microneedling drastically varies. As a general rule of thumb, the procedure lasts for 10 minutes or less. Once the microneedling is complete, the practitioner may apply a topical balm or inject a medication (e.g., minoxidil, corticosteroids).
Clinical studies that support microneedling for hair loss
In a recent study in China, researchers reported that injuries induce hair regeneration. The proposed theory is the stimulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Another study found that microneedling increased total hair count more than minoxidil. Evidently, combining the two treatment options produces even more effective results.
In February 2021, a journal in Korea published its findings on the role of microneedling in enhancing the absorption of minoxidil. Analyzing patient satisfaction showed that minoxidil plus microneedling showed the best outcomes.
Researchers showed that using Follica’s microwounding device to treat female pattern hair loss produced very positive results.
When it comes to the length of the needles, a study from Iran showed that a depth of 0.6 millimeters generated more effective results than 1.2 mm. These findings were surprising to many healthcare providers since it was believed that the deeper the injections are, the better the results. In fact, doctors working with derma rolling recommended microneedling at a depth of 1-1.5 mm in a 2020 video on their website.
All of these studies have a consensus on the benefits of microneedling at home. Even more, adding minoxidil to the mix can lead to impressive results.
Note that the effectiveness of minoxidil on hair loss depends on the type of disorder you have.
Why should you consider microneedling for hair loss at home?
Price
Microneedling sessions are quite expensive, ranging from $200 to $700 per session. The larger the surface area, the more expensive these sessions will be.
Unfortunately, microneedling is not covered by medical insurance as it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. One exception is undergoing microneedling for medical purposes. For instance, if you have a documented case of AA that’s negatively affecting your quality of life or a debilitating case of acne, you may consider opting for insurance to pay for the procedure.
With that said, the chances of getting your insurance company to cover the costs are really slim. Therefore, it is better to get microneedling at home, as you will save thousands of dollars.
Convenience
Over the past few years, there has been an ongoing discussion about the use of microneedling at home. This DIY procedure using dermarolling can help with androgenetic alopecia and induce hair regrowth. For years, scientists have known that inflicting micro-injuries to the scalp induces follicular neogenesis by stimulating the natural healing processes of the skin.
Microneedling at home helps with a myriad of skin conditions, including hair loss, skin rejuvenation, wrinkles, acne, stretch marks, and scars. It can also help with pigmentation issues, such as melasma and enlarged pore size.
These effects are primarily the result of collagen and elastin deposition after certain metabolic pathways get stimulated. Note that a team of Japanese researchers found that hair thinning can be the result of collagen depletion, which is very common with aging.
Ideally, you would combine microneedling at home with drug administration (e.g., corticosteroids, minoxidil 5%). However, this is impractical if you’re doing the procedure alone.
Doctors around the world use microneedling when applying hair regrowth medications and serums (e.g., minoxidil, platelet-rich plasma, exosomes). Therefore, to get similar results to professional clinics, try to ask a family member or a friend for help.
microneedling at home vs professional.
Microneedling is the insertion of very fine short needles into the skin for rejuvenation by a board-certified skincare professional. These small injuries trigger the release of cytokines and promote growth factors leading to the regeneration of collagen and elastin in your skin. This procedure is typically done in-office by a certified medical professional, however, many people opt for at-home rollers.
In this article, we will discuss the differences between professional and at-home microneedling. As well as the amazing benefits that it provides for a multitude of skin concerns.
Professional Microneedling
Many skincare professional are using microneedling to treat a wide variety of skin concerns. At Glamor Medical we use the SkinPen® microneedling device to stimulate the body’s natural wound healing process and reveal new, glowing skin. This procedure is ideal for all skin types and can reduce signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. It can even improve the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks, and pore size.
Microneedling with SkinPen® is different from traditional microneedling derma-rollers. Other devices can bend, break, and rust, which can result in possible scarring or even infection. It is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that requires very little recovery time. It is the perfect procedure to maintain healthy, youthful skin.
Prior to the procedure, a topical anesthetic is applied to reduce potential pain caused by the micro-needles. The procedure itself is fairly quick depending on the areas being treated. It is typical to experience redness and mild swelling for 24-48 hours post-procedure. It is also normal to experience small amounts of pin-point bleeding and/or bruising. Within just a couple of weeks after your treatment, you will notice smoother, more radiant skin. Full effects will be noticeable over the next few months.
At-Home Microneedling
At-home microneedling is another option many people are turning to because of the convenience. However, using a skincare professional is safer, and can be a more effective option, rather than at-home microneedling. While home rollers are much more cost-efficient, they are not the same quality as professional-grade pens. In fact, home rollers hardly penetrate your skin at all.
Although the home rollers cause less pain, they are much less effective and will not produce the same type of results. At best, an at-home roller will increase blood flow and temporarily give you glowy skin.
Top Points To Consider
At-home microneedling can be a cost-effective, quick solution for brighter, glowing skin. However, if you want true results, professional microneedling is the way to go. While at-home devices don’t require any type of topical anesthetic, the downfall is that they do not penetrate the skin enough to achieve full results. When done in-office by a professional, you will reap the full benefits of new, rejuvenated skin. This is the perfect solution if you’re looking to improve the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks, or stimulate tissue regeneration and achieve youthful, glowing skin.