How Many Microneedling Treatments Will I Need?

Many positive changes come with age, but few people enjoy the effects on their skin. A combination of internal and external causes leads to skin that looks dull, rough, or damaged. Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, restores your youthful firmness and texture for skin that looks healthy and energized. Microneedling can treat many different skin concerns to provide overall improvements and target specific concerns. 

What is Microneedling?

While the name “collagen induction therapy” indicates that microneedling stimulates collagen production, it also triggers a healing process that rejuvenates your skin. This treatment uses tiny needles to penetrate the skin, creating channels that initiate a renewal process to address concerns such as skin laxity, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. 

At Essential Med Aesthetics, Dr. Cobbinah and her team of skilled aestheticians recommend microneedling for many individuals seeking skin rejuvenation with minimal downtime and long-lasting results.

*Individual results may vary

How Does Microneedling Work?

During microneedling, your provider moves a handpiece over your skin, allowing the many small needles to enter your skin at a precisely controlled depth. The needles create channels that reach into the dermis, the layer of skin where collagen-producing cells called fibroblasts live. These cells respond to the damage by starting a repair process that restores collagen levels and increases cell turnover. 

How Many Microneedling Treatments Will I Need?

While new collagen production begins after your first session, you will usually need a series of treatments to achieve your best microneedling results. Four to six sessions will provide most people with their desired results. However, this number will vary depending on several factors, including:

• The type of skin concerns you want to treat
• The severity of your skin issues
• Your skin’s individual response

You may start to notice that your skin looks brighter and smoother within a few weeks of your microneedling session. However, real textural and pigmentation changes will take about three months to develop as your skin makes new collagen and brings healthy new cells to the skin’s surface. 

Once established, your microneedling results can last a year or more. We can recommend a skincare routine that will support your new collagen development and improve hyperpigmentation. In addition, wearing sunscreen and avoiding excessive exposure will protect your new collagen from UV damage. Avoiding smoking will also help your results last much longer since it keeps your skin healthier.  

If you love your microneedling results, we recommend annual maintenance sessions to keep your skin firm and even. Regular collagen induction therapy sessions can help your skin defy signs of aging. However, no treatment can entirely prevent age-related changes.

What is a Microneedling Treatment Like?

You will arrive for your microneedling session in time to have a numbing cream applied to your skin. This cream takes effect over the next few minutes. The handpiece is then moved over your skin while the needles enter at a precisely controlled depth that is typically measured in millimeters. Most people experience a minor tingling or prickling sensation but no pain and your session is typically over in fifteen to twenty minutes. 

You are free to leave immediately after your session, although you will receive instructions about what to put on your skin and any activities you should avoid. To ensure you keep making steady progress, you may choose to schedule your next session at this time. 

What Can Microneedling Treat?

Microneedling is one of the most versatile treatments available for skin rejuvenation. It can be used to address many different concerns, including:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Acne scars
• Textural issues
• Hyperpigmentation
• Sun damage
• Age spots
• Enlarged pores
• Other types of scars

The channels created by this treatment also allow your skin to benefit more effectively from topical products such as serums. As a result, microneedling provides an opportunity to treat your skin with targeted products to help you achieve your desired results. 

What Types of Microneedling are Available?

Microneedling comes in many forms, but all work in the same basic way. You may find providers offering microneedling with several added components that do not necessarily enhance your results and can significantly increase your cost. Dr. Cobbinah finds that her patients achieve excellent results with traditional microneedling and do not achieve much additional benefit from additions such as radiofrequency. 

Is There Any Downtime After Microneedling?

While each microneedling treatment is customized, you can expect to return to your usual activities almost immediately. Minor redness, swelling, and sensitivity can last up to a day or two. You should avoid harsh or strongly scented products for a week after your session. You must also wear a high-SPF sunscreen and avoid excessive exposure to protect your skin while it heals. 

Since each treatment is customized, some people may experience more redness and swelling than others. However, downtime is minimal. After an intensive treatment, some people choose to take the rest of the day off to allow any redness to fade. However, the majority of people feel comfortable returning to work immediately. 

Am I a Good Candidate for Microneedling?

While light-based treatments like lasers have grown in popularity, they are not safe or recommended for everyone and can have negative effects on medium to dark skin tones. Because microneedling uses no laser energy, it works safely on all skin tones. It is also recommended for any skin type, even sensitive or acne-prone skin. 

You may be a good candidate for this treatment if you are a healthy adult with realistic expectations. Candidates often want to treat a range of skin issues with one effective method. Younger adults may choose microneedling for issues like acne scars and hyperpigmentation, while older ones may choose it to firm and smooth their skin while treating concerns like sun damage. 

You might not be a candidate for microneedling if you are pregnant or have certain medical conditions. Microneedling should not be used on an area where the skin is broken or irritated. It is also not recommended for those with a history of hypertrophic or keloid scars. 

Is it Safe to Do Microneedling at Home?

While you may see at-home microneedling devices for sale, we do not recommend these for several reasons. Microneedling should only be done in a safe, sterile environment, and treating yourself at home has risks such as:

• Spreading bacteria over your face or causing an infection
• Creating scars or hyperpigmentation
• Making some skin conditions worse

In addition to these risks, there is very little benefit. At-home microneedling goes deep enough to cause problems but not deep enough to make much of a difference. 

Take the Next Step

If you have further questions about microneedling, please call us at (210) 568-7555 or complete our online contact form, and one of our trusted staff members will reach out to you. Essential Med Aesthetics is located in San Antonio, Texas.