Microneedling is a great way to dramatically improve your skin’s appearance, but it’s never fun to get needles poked into your face. Now that you know how much it hurts, maybe you’ll think twice before going out and trying it after all! Before we dive into the topic of how much microneedling hurts, let’s first discuss what microneedling really is.
In this guide, we find out Does Rf Microneedling Hurt, does microneedling hurt with numbing cream, how long does rf microneedling last, and What to expect after microneedling with RF?
Does Rf Microneedling Hurt
Microneedling is quite the buzzword in skincare these days. It’s a minimally-invasive technique that uses tiny needles to create micro-channels in your skin, allowing products to be absorbed more effectively and promoting collagen growth. But what if you’re on the fence about trying it? Is it worth it? And how much does it hurt in general? I’m going to answer all of those questions today!
Does rf microneedling hurt? As a general rule, no. But it depends on the person.
For the most part, no. It depends on the person and how much they’re used to having things done to their skin.
If you go into it knowing that micro-needling isn’t going to hurt as much as some other treatments, then it won’t be a big deal for you. If you think that micro-needling will be like getting a tattoo or permanent makeup done–then it might shock your system enough that even though we are not drawing blood or giving injections through our needles (which would cause pain), some people may still experience discomfort from these sensations in their skin.
It also depends on how many times we do this treatment over time: if someone has had 10 sessions over 6 months, they might notice an increase in sensitivity around week 8 or 9; however someone who only gets one session every month might not notice any changes until after several months of treatments have been completed!
does microneedling hurt with numbing cream
You’ve likely heard of microneedling at home: A tiny rollerwheel of very fine needles that you use before applying skincare to help ingredients penetrate deeper and therefore work better—that’s the idea, anyway. This version of microneedling is not painful and should not be drawing blood. But, did you know there’s a stronger version reserved for in-office procedures at the dermatologist’s? It’s done using a professional grade tool called a dermapen that’s like a stamp of needles (12 to be exact) that goes 2.5 mm into your skin to stimulate collagen production.
Let’s be clear, no one chooses to do microneedling because they love getting tiny needles poked into their face. You do it for the results: Smaller pores, a more even skin tone, reduction in scars, and a smoother texture. But after recently going through an in-office microneedling treatment myself, I’m here to tell you that it actually doesn’t hurt as badly as you might think. Here’s what you need to know.
Microneedling stimulates collagen.
I decided to book an appointment with Morgan Rabach, MD, dermatologist and Co-Founder of LM Medical in NYC, who is a major microneedling advocate. “The science behind microneedling is decades old, and is similar to the science for fraxel lasers,” explains Dr. Rabach. “fraxel lasers use heat energy to make tiny microscopic holes in the skin, whereas microneedling uses mechanical energy to make the same tiny injuries. With this controlled injury in the skin, I can decide how deep or shallow to stimulate the skin, and I can use different depths depending on how thick the skin is. For example, near the eyes and forehead is much more shallow than parts of the cheek.” These tiny injuries stimulate growth factors and healing factors to help the collagen grow.
You have to sit with numbing cream on for one hour.
After removing all of my makeup, Dr. Rabach applied a heavy duty numbing cream that she left on for about an hour. She admitted that 30-40 minutes would probably be fine, but she likes to give it a little extra time on the skin to ensure the procedure is as painless as possible. TBH, I’d rather spend an extra thirty minutes in the doctor’s office than feel the needles but if you’re short on time you could do it for less.
After the numbing cream, she applied a thick layer of serum. She used SkinMedica’s TNS Recovery Serum, which contains peptides, antioxidants, and growth factors that also help boost collagen production—”it’s basically like a health food shake for your skin,” says Dr. Rabach. It’s applied before microneedling so that the needles can push the serum deeper into the skin for even better results (similarly to how you apply a serum before microneedling at home).
Microneedling sounds more painful than actually is.
Dr. Rabach turned the microneedling machine on and the drill-like sound that ensued almost sent me running. Then, I remembered the hour I had given to the numbing cream and thought better of it. Thank goodness I did, because as Dr. Rabach pressed the device to my cheek and asked how it felt, I couldn’t believe the treatment had already begun—I hardly felt a thing!
The device literally felt like holding the base of your electric toothbrush to your cheek—a very slight vibration. While Dr. Rabach was very happy to hear my response, she did warn me that the cheeks are the least painful in general because of the cushioning they have between the skin and the bone. She was right. The forehead was definitely the most painful out of all the areas on my face (think about it; there’s no padding—just skin and bone), but even then it really wasn’t that bad.
In-office microneedling does make you bleed a little.
Immediately after the procedure, Dr. Rabach wiped away the blood—yes, microneedling draws some blood—and handed me a mirror to show me a certain spot already appearing lighter than before. As for the rest of my face, it felt pretty raw and definitely looked raw and like it had just had needles poked into it—an overall pink flush with a few red dots, though not quite as bad as I was expecting. Regardless, she covered my face with some medical grade makeup (it was Isdin Skin Drops in case you’re in the market) that she assured me would not irritate my skin (I had a work event to go to, otherwise I would’ve left my skin bare), and sent me on my way.
Microneedling made my skin majorly smoother.
The next few days, I was told to take it easy on my skin and just stick to the basics—cleanser and moisturizer—to prevent irritation. The pin prick marks stuck around during that time but it was nothing my usual tinted moisturizer couldn’t cover up. My skin was slightly more sensitive to touch but even by day two, I could already tell a major difference in the texture of my skin—it was so much smoother when I applied my moisturizer and makeup!
As I write this, it’s been about three weeks since the appointment, and all the evidence of having done microneedling has disappeared. My skin is still smoother than before, a few spots have lightened and my pores definitely seem tighter.
You’ll get results after one session.
While the results vary depending on your baseline and goals, everyone will see results after just one session. However, Dr. Rabach suggests four to six sessions one month apart if you’re trying to target deep acne scars. If you’re just doing it for maintenance to keep up collagen production, once or twice a year is all you need.
The appointment itself lasted about an hour and a half (most of which was spent numbing), and the cost ranges from $500-$750 per session depending on where you go. For me personally, Dr. Rabach suggests a combination of chemical peels and microneedling to target the pigmentation both on the surface and deeper within. As for if I’d do it again… I’ve already booked my appointment.
Chelsea Burns is the Beauty Director for Women’s Health and has been writing in the beauty and wellness space for over six years with her work appearing in Real Simple, Health, Fitness, and Byrdie.com. She’s an expert at testing products and is always on the hunt for the best tinted moisturizer.
how long does rf microneedling last
Our skin is often on display, particularly that of our face, neck and arms. When fine lines and wrinkles appear, or a new scar forms, it can be tempting to look for a ‘quick-fix’ to hide these things. With technological advancements allowing so many of our problems to be corrected on the spot, it is not surprising that we expect there to be an instant solution to ageing or scarring. While RF (radio frequency) Microneedling does not immediately rid your skin of wrinkles and scars, results may appear sooner than you think.
RF Microneedling Stimulates Collagen
After a seed is planted, it takes time for it to grow into a plant. We wait patiently for shoots to emerge from the soil, yet a lot has been happening beneath the surface. The same can be said for RF Microneedling. This treatment is all about ‘repair’ and stimulating collagen. This takes time and occurs deep within the skin, so the effects of Microneedling may not be seen immediately.
RF Microneedling causes small wounds (pinpricks) in your skin which stimulates the skin’s repair mode. As new tissue is generated, collagen and elastin are produced. Collagen and elastin are proteins that keep our skin strong, smooth and youthful.
Collagen Production Continues After Treatment
Following RF Microneedling, some people find improvements in their skin after only a few days. Fine lines and pores appear reduced and scars seem less defined. This is often a temporary effect as the skin has contracted and tightened and there may be a small amount of inflammation. The real magic occurs over the subsequent weeks as your skin responds to the treatment and production of collagen and elastin increases. Final results are typically seen around 3-6 months after your last treatment.
New Collagen Fibres Are Formed
When skin is damaged, our bodies quickly respond. During the repair process, the quality and structure of new collagen is different. This results in scarring. With repeated RF Microneedling treatments (an average course is 3-5 sessions), new collagen fibres are formed. This means that the appearance of scars may permanently be reduced. Treatments to combat fine lines and wrinkles are long-lasting but may require maintenance treatments spaced approximately 6-12 months apart.
Contact The Lynton Clinic Today
To find out more about RF Microneedling and its positive effects on fine lines, wrinkles, scarring and many other skin conditions, call The Lynton Clinic today. Book your initial consultation with one of our skilled practitioners and say hello to smoother, youthful and more even-looking skin.
What to expect after microneedling with RF
Radiofrequency microneedling is an effective technique that rejuvenates the skin by creating micro-injuries. Tiny, short needles momentarily penetrate the skin, and as they heal, the body boosts its production of collagen and elastin to create fresh, new skin cells. This can help with everything from discoloration to fine lines and wrinkles.
At Bodian Dermatology and Medical Day Spa in Great Neck, NY, Dr. Adam B. Bodian offers the Vivace™ Experience. Vivace is a form of radiofrequency microneedling (or RF microneedling) that combines the benefits of microneedling with the power of radiofrequency pulses.
Below, we’ll look at what you can expect after the Vivace RF microneedling procedure.
Is RF microneedling painful?
Patients at Bodian Dermatology and Medical Da Spa’s facility in Great Neck, NY get the benefits of the Vivace RF microneedling device, consisting of 36 gold tips guided by a robotically controlled handpiece for maximum precision. Dr. Bodian will apply a numbing cream to minimize any discomfort you anticipate.
The procedure is relatively short but will depend on how much area patients want to cover and what’s being treated. Some patients report a warm sensation from the radiofrequency pulses during the treatment and some report feeling prickling, but it is not typically considered painful.
How can RF microneedling help give me great skin?
Our bodies produce less collagen as we age, and elastin and skin cell turnover are less frequent. That can leave skin looking dull and doesn’t do much to cover the signs of aging that we accumulate over the decades.
RF microneedling can target many issues, including:
– Fine lines and wrinkles
How will my skin feel after RF microneedling treatment?
Almost immediately following your RF microneedling treatment, it is normal to experience some redness. You can typically resume your daily activities right away, but you will get specific aftercare instructions from Dr. Bodian.
Patients may experience side effects, such as minor swelling, irritation, and tightness after the treatment, but these typically resolve within 24 hours.
What should patients avoid after RF microneedling?
It’s important to be gentle with your skin as the micro-injuries heal so your body can concentrate on the healing process as much as possible. Patients should avoid vigorous exercise, saunas, and anything that causes sweating or further swelling for at least 24 hours to reduce the risk of infection and delayed healing. Dr. Bodian will provide you with soothing cream to use for the week after treatment, and patients should avoid other skin care products for the first 24 hours.
While it’s always wise to avoid direct sun, it’s crucial to protect treated skin from sunlight for ten days after RF microneedling. After 24 hours, sunscreen can be applied if you are outdoors.
Patients should avoid any physical or chemical exfoliants while their skin heals, but gentle moisturizers are generally tolerated after 48 hours, and you can resume wearing makeup after 2 – 3 days. Tiny scabs may appear and flake off during this time, but skin heals most effectively if you refrain from touching your face during this time.
Get RF microneedling treatment in Great Neck, NY
If you’re interested in tighter, brighter, and smoother skin with just a few treatments, radiofrequency microneedling using Vivace may be right for you. While many patients choose to have 3-6 treatments spaced about 4 weeks apart to see optimal results, your skin may differ. To find out, schedule a consultation with Adam B. Bodian, M.D. at Bodian Dermatology and Medical Day Spa in Great Neck, NY.