Microneedling

You may have heard of a technique used by dermatologists known as microneedling. Microneedling was first used aesthetically to rejuvenate the skin; however, dermatologists are now using the procedure for a much wider variety of skin conditions, reports the National Institute of Health (NIH)

Microneedling is a relatively new procedure that can help improve many different skin conditions. It involves puncturing the top layer of skin with several tiny needles to stimulate a cascade of healing processes. Microneedling can help with the appearance of skin that has been damaged by acne scars, pregnancy-related skin conditions, surgical scars, melasma, and enlarged pores. Experts in the Dermatologic Surgery journal note it can also stimulate general skin rejuvenation.

According to the NIH, during a microneedling procedure, a dermatologist coats a targeted area of skin (most commonly the face) with a serum that has an anesthetic agent as an ingredient. This causes the skin to go numb so that you don’t feel pain during the procedure. Then, a dermatologist uses a specialized tool embedded with needles to create “micropunctures” in your skin. You do not need to do anything specific to prepare for microneedling, but afterward, you will need to use sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as you can while your skin heals.

The small injuries to the skin’s surface made by microneedling do not cause significant damage. Instead, they cause slight bleeding and trigger a chain reaction of growth factors, collagen, and elastin to come to the surface of the skin to begin repairing and remodeling. After the skin heals, it has a tighter, rejuvenated appearance, reducing the appearance of scars and fine lines, notes the NIH.

The procedure is very safe, with a few minor side effects such as redness, irritation, swelling, and fluid leakage as the skin heals. These effects go away on their own after a few days. Because needles are used to puncture the skin, there is also an infection risk—however, the risk is low if microneedling is done by a board-certified dermatologist. An at-home alternative to microneedling, which uses a device called a home roller, may be more likely to cause infection because the needles tend to be duller and not reliably sterilized, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

There are many benefits of microneedling. First, it is a minimally-invasive procedure that can be carried out within a short period. It is appropriate for the treatment of several different medical conditions, as well as for the general improvement of your skin’s appearance. Unlike some other procedures in aesthetic dermatology, microneedling has also been shown to have long-lasting effects, with experts noting that skin tightening can last 5 to 7 years.

Microneedling is an elective skin procedure, so it is generally not covered by insurance. You may pay “out of pocket” for a single microneedling session or a bundle of sessions. Cost estimates by Dermapen, a company that sells microneedling tools, range from $100 to $700 per session.