Surgery Plastic Surgery Facial Procedures Microneedling Treatment This minimally invasive procedure could improve skin's appearance By Blyss Splane Blyss Splane LinkedIn Blyss Splane is a certified operating room nurse working as a freelance content writer and former travel nurse. In 2020, Nurse Splane Writes, LLC, was created and Blyss continues to work as an OR nurse while writing articles for healthcare blogs as a freelance writer. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 05, 2023 Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD Facebook LinkedIn William Truswell, MD, is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and otolaryngology (head and neck) surgeon. He is president of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and treats skin cancer patients as part of his practice. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Microneedling, also known as dermarolling or collagen induction therapy (CIT), is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses hundreds of tiny needles to penetrate the skin to spur the improvement of several chronic dermatologic problems. Microneedling aims to create a controlled injury beneath the skin's surface, to induce collagen production in the treated area. The skin plumps and thickens in response to the stimulus, reducing the appearance of scars, stretch marks, fine lines, wrinkles, and more. Africa Images / E+ / Getty Images How It Works The treatment uses a small rolling device covered with hundreds of tiny (0.5 to 1.5 millimeters long), closely spaced needles. As the device rolls along the skin, the needles pierce thousands of microscopic holes just deep enough to reach the collagen layer in the dermis. The damage is minimal but enough to trigger a cascade of inflammatory effects that produce healing growth factors in the skin, and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin that rejuvenates the area. Uses Microneedling is used to treat a variety of skin conditions a less-invasive way than lasers, such as: WrinklesAcne scarsStretch marksSurgical scarsEnlarged poresBurns It can take several sessions over time to gain the full results, but the collagen production in the area can make positive changes without using lasers. In addition, while lasers can cause hyperpigmentation in the treatment area, microneedling is less likely to cause this damage in those with lighter skin tones. Types of Cosmetic Laser Procedures Radiofrequency Microneedling Radiofrequency microneedling is a newer development that adds electromagnetic radiation to the needle penetration, heating the depths of the dermis and promoting collagen repair. Studies have shown it to be as effective or better than regular microneedling for the same skin conditions. Your dermatologist or plastic surgeon can tell you if this option is available and whether it is a preferable treatment. Anatomy of the Skin Procedure Microneedling is best performed in a healthcare provider's office by a trained professional who can diagnose any skin condition that may need treatment, determine if the procedure is appropriate for you, and recognize areas to be avoided. Sterile, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved equipment should be used. The treatment generally takes minutes, but the length of a session varies depending on the size of the area being treated. Your healthcare provider will administer a topical anesthetic cream 30 minutes before the procedure to minimize pain. The needles may draw blood, but it's usually minimal. What About DIY Microneedling? Microneedling devices are available at health and wellness retailers for personal use. They are inexpensive ($10 and up; Dermaroller is one brand), which adds to their appeal.However, while some may be useful, it's impossible to predict the quality of a device. In addition, if you perform microneedling on yourself, you risk misusing the roller, losing needles in your skin, getting an infection, and having inconsistent results. Effectiveness Science has shown that microneedling can achieve positive molecular changes in the skin (dermal remodeling) and that total healing from a procedure usually happens within five days. Meanwhile, research has shown the procedure to be safe and effective for the following skin concerns: Wrinkles: A 2018 study found four microneedling treatments spaced out every 30 days improved wrinkles, skin laxity, and skin texture. Scars: Positive results have been seen with atrophic (indented) scars from acne or chicken pox, hypertrophic (raised) scars, and keloid (raised and larger than original wound) scars. Stretch marks (striae distensae): A 2019 review of seven studies found microneedling effective in improving stretch marks. Patchy hair loss (alopecia): Microneedling used along with drugs like Rogaine (minoxidil) has been shown to yield more substantial hair growth than using minoxidil alone. Gray or brown skin patches (melasma): One review of 22 melasma cases treated with microneedling showed improvement in all cases. Absorption of topical skin applications: Microneedling can help enhance skin-based drug delivery. Microneedling has been shown to be effective in treating people of all skin colors. Summary Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that uses small sterile needles to cause skin inflammation to stimulate collagen production. The collagen produced from the inflammation can address common skin issues, without more invasive procedures. It may take several treatments to achieve the desired results. A Word From Verywell Microneedling is available as a series of treatments in some dermatologists' or facial plastic surgeons' offices. If you're considering a home unit, first consult with a healthcare provider who can show you the proper way to safely perform the home treatments (or if it's even recommended). They can also ensure you don't have any skin conditions that would contraindicate microneedling. Frequently Asked Questions Is microneedling better than Botox? Both cosmetic procedures can effectively improve the appearance of the face, but they work with different mechanisms. Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) relaxes the muscles of the face to reduce specific kinds of wrinkles that create an aged appearance. Microneedling generates collagen and elastin production that works to restore the tissues in the face and reduce pore size resulting in a more youthful and healed appearance. How long does it take to see results from microneedling? Some tightening results may be visible soon after the swelling goes down. Overall, results may take several weeks to months to see the final results of the microneedling treatments. How long do microneedling results last? Unfortunately, the answer is that this varies based on the person and how long their body maintains the collagen in the area. This can change depending on age, genetics, and lifestyle factors. Can microneedling ruin your skin? As with any procedure, there are side effects and potential risks to microneedling, including:BleedingRednessFlaky skinInfectionBruisingTightnessWhile there are possible side effects, they typically resolve in a couple of weeks. 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Iriarte C, Awosika O, Rengifo-Pardo M, Ehrlich A. Review of applications of microneedling in dermatology. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:289-298. doi:10.2147/CCID.S142450 Yale Medicine. Microneedling. Elawar A, Dahan S. Non-insulated fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment with smooth motor insertion for reduction of depressed acne scars, pore size, and skin texture improvement: a preliminary study. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(8):41-44. Schmitt L, Marquardt Y, Amann P, et al. Comprehensive molecular characterization of microneedling therapy in a human three-dimensional skin model. PLoS One. 2018;13(9):e0204318. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204318 Ablon G. Safety and effectiveness of an automated microneedling device in improving the signs of aging skin. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(8):29–34. Mujahid N, Shareef F, Maymone MBC, Vashi NA. Microneedling as a treatment for acne scarring: a systematic review. Dermatol Surg. 2020;46(1):86-92. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000002020 Hagag MM, Samaka RM, Mahmoud HAE. Role of microneedling in treatment of patients with striae distensae. Menoufia Medical Journal. 2019;32(3):756. doi:10.4103/mmj.mmj_36_18 Lima E de A. Microneedling in facial recalcitrant melasma: report of a series of 22 cases. An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(6):919-921. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20154748 Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Microneedling devices: Getting to the point on benefits, risks and safety. Additional Reading Bhargava S, Kumar U, Varma K. Subcision and Microneedling as an Inexpensive and Safe Combination to Treat Atrophic Acne Scars in Dark Skin: A Prospective Study of 45 Patients at a Tertiary Care Center. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2019;12(8):18–22. Dhurat R, Sukesh M, Avhad G, Dandale A, Pal A, Pund P. A randomized evaluator blinded study of effect of microneedling in androgenetic alopecia: A pilot study. Int J Trichology. 2013;5(1):6-11. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114700 Garg S, Baveja S. Combination Therapy in the Management of Atrophic Acne Scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2014;7(1):18-23. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.129964 Ramaut L, Hoeksema H, Pirayesh A, Stillaert F, Monstrey S. Microneedling: Where do we stand now? A systematic review of the literature. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2018;71(1):1-14. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2017.06.006 By Blyss Splane Blyss Splane is a certified operating room nurse working as a freelance content writer and former travel nurse. She works as a freelance content writer for healthcare blogs when she's not spending time with her husband and dog. Originally written by Natalie Kita See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit