Does Microneedling Work? Here Are The Facts You Should Know.
Are you considering microneedling? You may be wondering, does microneedling work? We’re here to help answer that question for you. Microneedling is one of the most popular non-invasive aesthetic treatments in the world. It’s used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scarring, and sagging skin. Here are the main topics we’ll cover in this article:
- Does microneedling work?
- What is microneedling, and what are the benefits?
- Where can you get microneedling treatment done on your body?
- Can microneedling replace botox?
- How many treatments do you need before you see results?
- What other aesthetic treatments go well with microneedling?
We’ll also cover how to find the best microneedling clinic near you.
Central Wellness is the best microneedling provider in Billings, Montana. Schedule a free phone consultation today to learn how to get your best results.
Fast Facts
✔ Common benefits of microneedling include reducing the appearance of wrinkles, scarring, sagging skin, and stretch marks.
✔ Microneedling is safe for anyone in good health.
✔ It is a minimally invasive aesthetic treatment.
✔ Microneedling at home is not recommended.
✔ It is a great option if you don’t want botox.
✔ Treatment costs $325 – $525, depending on which area of the body.
✔ It is not covered by insurance.
What is microneedling?
Microneedling is a very popular cosmetic procedure, and many people considering treatment ask about how microneedling works. In clinical settings, it stimulates the body’s natural collagen production by pricking the skin with micro-needles or radiofrequency. Some clinics may refer to this treatment as collagen induction therapy. (Often called CIT.)
What are the main benefits of microneedling?
The most popular benefits of microneedling include reducing wrinkles, acne scars, sagging skin, and stretch marks. However, microneedling is also used to improve skin laxity, minimize large pores, remove dark spots, reverse sun damage, and combat hair loss.
Where can you get microneedling treatment done on your body?
Microneedling is a highly versatile treatment. With medical-grade tools, any area of the body can be treated. Treatment is done anywhere on the body where you want to see firmer skin. These include main areas with stretch marks, often on the legs, underarms, chest, and buttocks. The most popular areas for treatment are the face and neck.
What is platelet-rich plasma microneedling?
Microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) involves the same initial treatment of creating microscopic holes in the skin. For enhanced results, practitioners will then apply plasma-rich platelets to the surface of the skin. These platelets contain natural proteins from blood. The proteins give your skin healthy growth factors and cytokines.
According to WebMD’s Fitness and Exercise column, the proteins found in plasma-rich platelets are also used to help heal injuries. For those choosing the treatment for aesthetic purposes, this method will speed up the healing process and provide faster results.
Who can get microneedling?
As we mentioned before, any healthy adult is a candidate for microneedling! However, you can’t get treatment if you are pregnant or nursing, and we do not recommend getting microneedling treatment if your scars are new (less than six months old) or if you’re using products with Retinoids or Vitamin A byproducts. If you’ve used a tanning bed or received another spa treatment in less than 48 hours, we recommend waiting to do microneedling treatment at a later date.
In all of these cases, a certified aesthetician will walk you through your options. If you find yourself in a spa recommending microneedling despite any of these factors, consider visiting another clinic.
What Does Microneedling Work For?
Here’s the big question: does microneedling work? Getting treatment at a licensed, credible aesthetic clinic will deliver positive results. Microneedling at home, however, is less effective and can lead to complications if done incorrectly.
In a 2016 study observing treatment for acne scars, 50 participants had microneedling done with both distilled water and platelet-rich plasma (PRP.) The results found were a 45.84% improvement in acne scars from microneedling with distilled water. Additionally, acne scars improved by 62.20% with PRP. In both treatments, no participants experienced significant side effects.
The immediate ‘glow’ of microneedling
The majority of visible changes develop over the following days and weeks, but many patients notice an immediate ‘glow’ after a microneedling session. Larger areas in need of treatment do take more sessions to accomplish desired results. No matter where microneedling is performed on the body, the results lead to firmer, rejuvenated skin. As collagen production continues to increase after treatment, results continue to improve.
Can microneedling replace botox?
Microneedling can replace botox treatment. It is a great option for patients wanting similar results from botox seeking a natural solution. While there are additional benefits to each treatment, here are several benefits and how they overlap.
| Benefit of treatment | Microneedling | Botox |
| Decreases appearance of acne scars | ✔ | ✔ |
| Minimizes pores | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reduces stretch marks | ✔ | |
| Firms sagging skin | ✔ | ✔ |
| Combats hair loss | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reduces wrinkles | ✔ | ✔ |
| Is considered a natural aesthetic treatment | ✔ |
How many microneedling treatments do you need to see results?
The frequency of treatment depends on your unique skin and health variables. Most people need between three and six treatments to reach their desired results. Generally, younger people can reach desired results after one or two treatments. The older a participant is, typically, more treatments are needed.
After reaching your skin’s desired outcome, we recommend continuing with maintenance appointments two to four times a year. Some clinics will offer discounted maintenance appointments after the initial microneedling treatment is complete.
How long will my results last?
Again, this depends on your unique skin and health variables. Since every person’s skin is unique, we cannot predict precisely how long a patient’s treatment will last. In general, however, most people enjoy their results for at least eight to twelve weeks. Sometimes results last even longer when skin is well taken care of. The small holes created in the top layer of the skin stimulate the body’s natural wound healing process. This healing process leads to increased collagen and elastin production as well as rapid cell turnover, resulting in a fresh and youthful appearance.
Is microneedling at home safe?
In recent years it has become increasingly popular to try microneedling at home. Microneedling at home is called dermarolling, where a user can move a handheld tool across his or her face. The needles used in these handheld devices are less effective than at a professional clinic. They vary in length only between 0.1mm-0.3mm.
Before microneedling was accessible at home, you had to be a registered nurse in the state of Montana to perform the treatment. This is why we do not recommend microneedling at home. Users can experience an adverse reaction from using the wrong technique. Similarly, your home is an unregulated environment. This can lead to permanent scarring and other complications. In addition, many users don’t know how to properly take care of their skin after DIY treatment.
What should I do after my microneedling treatment?
After most microneedling treatments, expect some minor redness and sensitive areas. Avoid putting any makeup on during the hours directly after your procedure. You’ll also want to avoid exfoliating your skin with any scrubs. Your sensitive skin will soothe and heal after a few days.
We recommend using our medical-grade skin care with a serum to enhance the treatment as the skin will have a greater outcome. Wearing sunscreen is a must for any aesthetic treatment the weeks after your procedure if you’re not already in the habit. In addition, you need to make sure you keep your skin hydrated. Your clinician will likely recommend a hydrating lotion or serum if you’re not sure what to use.
How to find a microneedling provider near you
When you’re considering a microneedling provider, it’s important to find a reputable and professional clinic to avoid permanent skill damage and complications. Here are the steps you can take to find a great clinic with professionals whom you trust if you don’t know of any in your personal network:
- Start by typing “microneedling clinic near me” into Google. You’ll get a list of top search results that are closest to you.
- At first glance, you can check to see how many reviews and stars each local clinic is rated for. Google reviews are a reliable source to see what others’ customer experience was like.
- Visit the website with the highest ratings. Check to see if there’s relevant, clear, and helpful information to learn more about their services.
- Read client testimonials. If a clinic can guarantee great results from happy customers, they know what they’re doing.
- Check to see if the clinic offers free resources. Companies who offer value to their customers before ever seeing a credit card show that they have their customer’s best interest at heart.
- Schedule a phone consultation if the clinic offers one. It’s not a good sign if you sense that the provider is pushy or perhaps only cares about getting another customer in the door. The best clinics will only recommend the treatments they believe are ideal for your unique skin.
What aesthetic treatments go well with microneedling at Central Wellness?
You can schedule more than one experience at our medical and aesthetic spa. Depending on your goals, you can choose which treatments are the best fit for your skin. For instance, your goals may be to brighten your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Or, maybe you want to decrease your scars from acne.
At Central Wellness in Billings, Montana, we offer a variety of medical and aesthetic spa treatments. We’ll develop a personalized treatment plan to optimize your skin’s health and appearance. With you as our #1 priority, we never recommend a treatment that will not benefit you. Schedule your consultation today to get your personalized treatment plan!
Did we help answer the question, does microneedling work? We’d love to hear from you. Schedule a free phone consultation to talk with one of our highly skilled medical professionals.
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