Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that is used to improve visible signs of aging and sun damage on the skin, including fine lines and wrinkles, scars, stretch marks etc. It’s also used to reduce pigmentation such as melasma and age spots, remove excess facial fat and plump up the skin. Microneedling devices are becoming increasingly popular because they are relatively inexpensive compared to laser treatments in the long-term.
In this guide, we find out: Does Microneedling Tighten Skin, does microneedling tighten skin under eyes, microneedling benefits, and what does microneedling do.
Does Microneedling Tighten Skin
Microneedling is a procedure that uses tiny needles to poke into your skin, or a pen that pricks your skin. While it sounds painful, it’s actually quite relaxing and can lead to some serious benefits. Microneedling can tighten your skin, reduce acne scars, shrink pores, fade fine lines and wrinkles — all while lightening dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Here’s everything you need to know about this popular treatment!
Tightens the skin.
- Tightens the skin.
- Improves skin tone.
- Reduces wrinkles and fine lines.
Reduces acne scars.
Microneedling can also help reduce acne scars. The process of microneedling encourages skin cell turnover, which helps reduce the appearance of acne scars. In fact, it’s often used in combination with other treatments like laser resurfacing or peels to improve the overall appearance of the skin.
Shrinks pores.
Pores are the openings of sweat glands, which are responsible for releasing sweat to help cool your body. When pores are enlarged, they can be caused by a number of factors:
- Dirt and oil getting trapped in them
- Inflammation in the area surrounding the pore
- Aging (as we age, our skin becomes less elastic and tends to sag)
If you have large pores as a result of genetics or trauma like acne scars, microneedling may not be able to shrink them.
Fades fine lines and wrinkles.
Microneedling causes skin cells to die, which stimulates collagen production. Collagen is a protein that helps to keep skin firm and young-looking. When you have fine lines or wrinkles, it’s because your skin has lost some of its elasticity–this means that it can’t stretch as much as it used to before the lines formed. By stimulating collagen production through microneedling, we can help restore some of this elasticity so that your face won’t sag when you smile or laugh anymore!
Microneedling is a procedure where your practitioner uses a roller or pen to prick your skin, creating tiny wounds that trigger collagen production. The process also encourages skin cell turnover, which can help reduce acne scars and shrink pores, while lightening dark spots and hyperpigmentation, too.
Microneedling is a procedure where your practitioner uses a roller or pen to prick your skin, creating tiny wounds that trigger collagen production. The process also encourages skin cell turnover, which can help reduce acne scars and shrink pores, while lightening dark spots and hyperpigmentation, too.
- What does micro-needling do?
- How long do I have to wait for results?
- Is it safe?
- How much does it cost?
does microneedling tighten skin under eyes
As you grow older, the skin around your eyes becomes thinner, losing elasticity and hollowing out. Fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear, along with darkened pigmentation, creating a tired, older, and sunken appearance. The visible change can be referred to as a tear trough, which is a crease between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek that leaves a shadow below the eye. This area can also become prominent due to fatigue, allergies, stress, or genetics. When tear troughs become more visible, patients often turn to surgical and non-surgical treatments to achieve a youthful and less wearied appearance. Microneedling can be one option to plump up this area.
Microneedling utilizes the skin’s natural regenerative process to rejuvenate. Fine microneedles create tiny punctures in the skin, triggering collagen production and healing. This treatment can tighten, minimize wrinkles and fine lines, eliminate discoloration, and reduce stretch marks and scars. During this procedure, the MD Pen is moved across the treatment area, stimulating the natural repair process, collagen production, and blood flow. A session can last anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the treatment area.
Since this involves tiny needles, many wonder if it’s safe for use around the eyes. Because the eye area is sensitive, it’s imperative you enlist a licensed surgeon or aesthetician to complete the procedure. They’ll have the knowledge and expertise to safely administer microneedling. Many patients also wonder if the treatment is painful. It typically does not cause discomfort. If you feel pain, you should alert your surgeon immediately, so they can stop treatment or apply topical anesthesia. Because this doesn’t involve any chemicals or surgical components, it’s generally safer than other procedures.
After you receive treatment, you’ll experience redness for 24 hours as skin cells repair over the next week or two. Although patients can see visible changes after one procedure, the under eyes typically take four to six sessions over three to six months to achieve desired results. Generally, eye bags and dark circles diminish after 45 days, while wrinkles are reduced.
Also on the rise is derma-rolling, an at-home form of microneedling. A writer from beauty content platform Byrdie documented her own experience with derma-rolling, headlining the article “How I Semi-Permanently Removed My Under-Eye Bags.” After noticing results from her microneedling treatments, she purchased a derma-roller on Amazon to use at home between treatments. Similar to microneedling, this boosts collagen, thickens skin, and fills in fine lines. However, even the writer states: “In-office micro-needling means physicians can get a bit deeper into your skin, as they are using professional tools like the aforementioned pens, which essentially work to ‘stamp’ your face with needles rather than roll the needles across the skin.”
Although microneedling has become a popular solution, mainly because of the ability to complete a similar procedure at home, there are other options. When one patient asked whether they should partake in dermarolling or undergo fillers and injectables to treat their tear trough on online elective cosmetic treatment resource hub RealSelf, many surgeons responded with “Restylane injections.” These can add volume to hollow under eyes, creating a more youthful appearance. One surgeon explained the under eyes typically require more than one treatment. Combine microneedling and fillers for the best results.
microneedling benefits
Before we go any further, let me just put this out there: You can group me in the “down for anything” category when we’re talking beauty. I’ll pretty much try whatever—especially if the alleged benefits aid one of my many skin concerns. At the top of my list is acne scars. These little marks decided to make their presence known in my life when I was 23. I’ve been dealing with them ever since and am game to try every fading, brightening, and lightening treatment under the sun. So after hearing countless praise for microneedling, I had to get the low-down for myself.
According to one study, almost 100 percent of microneedling participants reported a noticeable difference and 80 percent reported a vast improvement in the appearance of their acne scars after a treatment. This solid fact was all I needed to say, “Yes.” So I immediately booked my appointment for an in-office microneedling treatment.
Are you as curious as I was about microneedling? Ahead, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Bruce Katz and Dr. Sejal Shah, as well as esthetician Josie Holmes, explain everything you need to know about microneedling, the benefits, and their thoughts on at-home vs in-office treatments.
What Is Microneedling?
“Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that uses a device with very thin, sharp needle tips to make punctures on the skin,” says Katz. “The functionality behind microneedling is that once the body feels the small pricks, it works to heal those cuts, resulting in a refreshed look; the punctures are only surface-level, so the pain is minimal.” This process works to rejuvenate your skin by boosting collagen production, which in turn reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and elevates the overall texture of your skin.
The particular microneedling treatment I underwent was done with a tool called the Vivace, a form of radiofrequency microneedling. “What excited me about the Vivace was, of course, the combination of radiofrequency and microneedling, but more so how precisely, cleanly, and deeply it could deliver both. Finally, you add in blue and red LED, and you have a trifecta of modalities to treat multiple skin concerns,” explains Gabe Lubin, founder of Cartessa Aesthetics. “Physicians can select the exact depth best for each patient’s skin type and condition and use robotic precision delivery to go as deep as 3.5 millimeters at 0.1-millimeter increments—no other device can.” Blue light is helpful for those who suffer from acne, as the light and heat target bacteria that cause breakouts.
[Editor’s Note: This illustration features a derma-roller, a tool that penetrates the skin more superficially than a professional microneedling pen, making it safer for at-home use].
Benefits of Microneedling
“Microneedling by itself has only modest effects, like improvement in skin texture and smoothness,” says Katz. “But when radiofrequency is added, microneedling can pack a bigger punch. Radiofrequency waves travel down the needles to heat the dermis, which can improve collagen production. Patients can see improvement in mild wrinkles, acne scars, and mild skin tightening when paired with radiofrequency. Microneedling in the dermatologist’s office is also done with sharper needles, which improves the results that patients see. You can also improve the results from microneedling by using a serum with the procedure; the serum will penetrate deeper in the skin for optimal results.”
Shah, who performed my procedure, told me the biggest benefit of microneedling is its ability to radically enhance the texture of your skin. And that goes for more than just the face—microneedling can be used to improve pigmentation, lip lines, wrinkles, acne scars, hair loss, stretch marks, post-pregnancy stretch marks, and to brighten the skin.
“Microneedling is a collagen-stimulating treatment great for general skin rejuvenation. It treats textural issues dealing with pores, acne scars, wrinkles, tightening sagging skin, and more,” Shah explained to me while my numbing cream settled in. Then we begin the treatment.
How to Prepare for Microneedling
If you’re using any intense topical treatments (such as those containing retinol), you’d be wise to discontinue use a few days before your microneedling treatment. Harsh products could aggravate the skin, so milder is the key. “In addition to having a cleansed and toned face, you should also avoid using retinol at least 48 hours prior and avoid direct sun exposure for about three days prior and three days following,” notes Holmes. “I would also advise against using any aggressive acids within the week of the procedure.”
You should arrive at your appointment with clean, dry skin (if not, the technician will wash your face so it’s clean before the procedure). Next, you’ll likely be slathered in numbing cream, so the pain won’t be quite so intense.
What to Expect from Microneedling
Does it hurt? After letting the numbing cream seep into my skin for a half-hour, having a bunch of needles continuously puncture my skin was honestly an easy process. So to definitively answer that, it doesn’t hurt, but it doesn’t feel good. In terms of pain, I experienced a tolerable treatment that lasted all of 20 minutes. To be real, it felt like five minutes, and by the end of it, I was fine. My forehead, hairline, and jawline areas were more sensitive than other areas. I barely felt the tool when it passed over my cheeks, which Shah surprisingly confirmed was the deepest level of depth.
After the microneedling, the procedure was followed up with a soothing serum and hydrating face mask that honestly felt like heaven. Ironically, even after the numbing cream wore off a couple of hours later, it didn’t feel like I had just been poked hundreds of times. Contrary to how scary this sounds, I experienced no pain whatsoever.
“The great thing about this treatment is there’s no significant downtime,” says Shah. “Afterward, there’s a little bit of redness and might be some areas of pinpoint bleeding, but really, it’s a no-downtime kind of treatment, so most people leave here a little bit red. A couple of hours later, you’re pretty much back to normal, and the next day, you can resume your normal skincare and normal activities.”
Side Effects
Immediately after my face mask, my cheeks and the top of my forehead were slightly red. This is a normal side effect of the minimal bleeding that happens during the treatment. I was shook because the only time I experience redness is after a crazy workout. But this went away in an hour. The treatment is essentially wounding your skin so it can feel new again.
Another disclaimer to note: I have extremely sensitive skin, so this may not happen to you. But by day two, my skin felt raw and itchy. It wasn’t unbearable but definitely uncomfortable. To combat this, I slathered on Cortizone Anti-Itch Cream ($7) in the morning and before I went to bed. I also noticed tiny imprint marks (on my forehead especially) from the needles.
By day four, my itchiness has almost completely gone away. The tiny post-procedural marks also faded more and more each day. These are normal side effects and should clear up in a few days.
“There are no risks or downtime if microneedling is performed properly,” notes Katz. “When microneedling is not performed properly, there are serious risks like infections, scarring, hyperpigmentation, and bruising.”
At-Home vs. In-Office Microneedling
“Microneedling in the doctor’s office can go a lot deeper than at-home devices and are thus more efficacious,” says Katz. “At-home devices have minimal benefits compared to in-office microneedling. The needles are less sharp than the in-office microneedles, so there is less risk of injury to the user at home. That being said, at-home microneedling has more risks than in-office. Say you have a zit on your face that you rupture during the at-home treatment—then you are potentially rolling the p.acnes bacteria all over the rest of your face, which can lead to increased acne. I say leave the microneedling to a dermatologist who can make sure you get the best results.”
Aftercare
Real talk, this lit-from-within glow is probably my favorite benefit of the procedure thus far. The photo on the left was taken right after I took off my sheet mask, while the photo on the right was taken the morning after my microneedling treatment. I was so impressed by the radiance of my skin. That cheekbone glow is not from highlighter, people.
I also was surprised by how soft my skin felt and how the size of my pores shrank significantly. I load up on hydrating oils every morning because of my inherently dry skin, and I’m addicted to how soft it leaves my skin feeling. I woke up with cushion-like skin without all of the extra work and loved it so much that I decided to go makeup-free until my skin completely healed.
what does microneedling do
If you start your microneedling research with an Instagram or Google image search, you’ll probably be scared off. The photos are alarming — that’s because the procedure involves puncturing the skin with tiny needles that draw blood. Sticking a bunch of needles into your face may not sound like a good idea, but the process sets off a rejuvenation reaction that leaves many people raving about the results.
Here’s everything you need to know about the popular procedure.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a cosmetic practice that’s used to treat a number of skin issues. “It’s been practiced for more than 20 years in some way, shape, or form,” says Manish Shah, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver. “With the evolution of the equipment and techniques, microneedling has become more prevalent within skin-care practices.” You may have heard microneedling referred to as collagen induction therapy, skin needling, or percutaneous collagen induction, Dr. Shah says.
The idea is to improve the way the skin looks and feels. According to Shah, microneedling can help with these concerns:
In most cases, microneedling is done in a doctor’s office, though there are also at-home options available (more on that below).
How Does Microneedling Work?
Microneedling involves puncturing the skin with small needles, according to Emory Aesthetic Center. If you’re having the procedure done in a dermatologist’s office, the skin will likely be numbed before treatment to eliminate or at least decrease pain and discomfort, Shah says. “And then a penlike tool named a dermaroller is utilized in order to insert tiny stainless-steel needles into the skin to cause microinjuries or punctures,” Shah says.
As a result of these tiny abrasions, the skin amps up collagen production in order to heal, according to a study published in March 2017 in Dermatologic Surgery. “The goal is for the damage caused by the needles to stimulate your body to send healing agents in the form of elastin and collagen to the area of treatment to repair the skin,” Shah says.
The treatment will take between 10 and 20 minutes, though you’ll need to buffer in more time if you’re receiving topical anesthesia, according to a study published in the July-August 2016 issue of the Indian Dermatology Online Journal. Shah says there are usually multiple sessions required, spaced one month apart. The needles will be inserted deeper into the skin at each following session, since the skin will become thicker and more able to withstand a deeper penetration over time.
Skin Benefits of Microneedling
The main benefit is increased collagen production; collagen combats wrinkles, and collagen levels naturally decline with age, according to the Cleveland Clinic. “Any intervention that encourages increased collagen synthesis can make skin look and act younger,” Shah says. A study published in August 2018 in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology had study participants undergo four microneedling sessions one month apart. After the final treatment, they saw significant improvements to lines, wrinkles, skin texture, and skin laxity.
Microneedling can also help treat acne scarring because the needles can break down hardened scar tissue and encourage it to rebuild, according to the July-August 2016 Indian Dermatology Online Journal study. A study published in the July-September 2019 issue of the Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad explored the effect of four microneedling sessions on 50 people with acne scarring. After two months, everyone saw improvements, no matter how severe the scars were to begin with.
Finally, a small study found that microneedling can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks, with marked to excellent improvement noted in about 44 percent of the study participants following three monthly sessions.
When to Expect Results From Microneedling
You’ll likely see results from microneedling almost immediately, Shah says. “As soon as the microwounds are created within the skin, the body’s wound-healing processes respond to heal them,” he says. Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Thousand Oaks, California, says your skin may look plump and radiant for up to two weeks following the treatment. The best results, however, can take six to eight weeks to appear. That’s when the increased collagen effects become evident, Dr. Pierre says.
Shah says that most of the time you’ll need more than one session, but since everyone’s needs are different, you’ll need to consult your doctor to determine the best treatment plan for you. The condition of your skin matters as well. Shah says that fine lines and wrinkles might call for two sessions a year, burns or stretch marks may require five, and acne scars are somewhere in the middle.
Microneedling vs. Other Cosmetic Surgeries
Like microneedling, chemical peels can improve texture, fine lines, pores, acne, and acne scars, and usually require multiple treatments, Pierre says. “Laser treatments can also provide similar benefits but can do so more rapidly [than microneedling],” he explains. “Depending on the laser, you may end up with more downtime but require fewer treatments.”
According to a study published in March 2018 in Dermatologic Surgery, microneedling is a good alternative to laser skin resurfacing and deep chemical peeling because it offers significant results with a quick recovery and few side effects.
Pierre adds that you may find radiofrequency in combination with microneedling. This is like microneedling on steroids, he says, and can deliver dramatic results when it comes to treating acne scars and wrinkles. “It is definitely uncomfortable,” he adds. “However, you get to the finish line in fewer treatments.”
Side Effects of Microneedling and Who Should Avoid It
According to the March 2017 Dermatologic Surgery study, some redness or mild irritation can appear in the first few days — that’s just the skin recovering. The redness should go away within three days. You might also notice that your skin feels tight, swollen, dry, or sensitive to the touch in the days immediately following the treatment, or it might flake away within the week, Shah says.
Microneedling is generally safe and effective, but it’s not recommended for people who take or have had radiation in the past year, are pregnant, have a skin disease, or have a history of scarring or poor wound healing, according to Emory Aesthetic Center. Shah adds that people with active infections or open wounds should wait until their skin heals before trying it.
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Where to Get Microneedling Done (and From Whom)
“Microneedling is a medical procedure and really should be performed in a board-certified dermatologist’s office,” Pierre says. “This is your face, after all, so you want it in the best hands so you can get the best results while minimizing any side effects.”
That means you’ll need to steer clear of medical spas, where doctors may work but they aren’t necessarily board-certified dermatologists, who must undergo 12 years of education and hands-on training to hone their expertise, notes the American Academy of Dermatology. Check the doctor’s credentials — they should be certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Pierre adds that it doesn’t have to be the doctor who performs the procedure. “Any staff member in the dermatologist’s office who has been properly trained and supervised by the doctor — for example, a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, registered nurse, and in some states, aestheticians and medical assistants — can be qualified to perform these treatments,” he says. Board-certified plastic surgeons are also equipped to perform microneedling treatments.
How Much Does Microneedling Cost?
An in-office treatment will set you back somewhere between $100 and $700, depending on the size of the area being treated, Shah says. Though it’s most commonly performed on the face, microneedling can be done on other parts of the body, too, such as the neck, décolletage, arms, and legs.
How to Prepare for and Recover From the Treatment
There’s no special preparation needed, but there are a few precautions to take. Pierre says to talk to your doctor if you’re on blood thinners, since they can increase bleeding after the procedure, and if you’re prone to cold sores, you’ll want to be treated with an antibiotic to prevent an outbreak.
Recovery is minimal, though people with sensitive skin should be careful when applying moisturizers and serums. “After the treatment, your skin will be inflamed and more sensitive than usual,” Shah says.
DIY Microneedling: Should You Try It?
Not willing to shell out $100-plus for an in-office treatment? There’s a crop of products aimed at allowing you to perform microneedling on yourself at home. These DIY dermarollers are typically available for about $30 to $200. But don’t expect the same results you’d get in an office setting. The needles on these devices are shallower and therefore have limited ability to stimulate collagen production, Pierre says. The at-home version needles are typically less than 0.15 millimeters (mm) long compared to 0.5 to 2 mm long for medical tools, according to the July-August 2016 Indian Dermatology Online Journal study.
Pierre says these at-home tools do have some benefits, though: They’re more affordable, enhance exfoliation, and help products you apply afterward (such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C) penetrate deeper into the skin. “You may achieve brighter skin at best but minimal skin rejuvenation,” Pierre says.
If you decide to go this route, Pierre suggests applying even pressure while rolling the device in multiple directions around your face. Be sure to clean the tool thoroughly — not doing so can result in infection, Pierre says. Follow the cleaning instructions specific to your device (usually it involves rinsing the roller in soap and water and soaking it in isopropyl alcohol).