What Is Microneedling: How Does it Work?

Microneedling is also called collagen induction therapy. You may have also heard it referred to as “Dermaroller” treatment, because Dermaroller is one of the most common forms of microneedling. All microneedling involves the use of tiny needles to treat various skin problems. Dermaroller is a unique form because it uses an easy hand-held roller device to apply those needles to the skin. If you are considering having any form of Dermaroller treatment, you should understand how the entire process works first.

Which Skin Problems Can be Treated with Microneedling Tools

If you suffer from mild to moderate wrinkles, then microneedling procedures may be able to to help you eliminate or reduce them. Microneedling is also a procedure type which is known for its benefits for acne sufferers. Additionally, microneedling can be used to reduce the appearance of some types of scar tissue.

 How Microneedling Actually Improves Skin Health

The way in which microneedling tools work is that the tiny needles embedded in the microneedling device poke holes in the skin, whether that device is a Dermaroller or a pen or stamp-like tool. One reason you might choose to have such a treatment, as opposed to treating your skin with aesthetic laser machinery, is that lasers produce a lot of heat. If your skin happens to be excessively oily, that can be problematic. Microneedling is an excellent alternative, especially if you have acne scars, because the device will not produce heat in that way.

Types of Microneedling Tools

Microneedling tools come in several forms. One of the most common is a roller-like tool known as a Dermaroller. The roller is studded with small needles and rolled across the skin. However, depending on the size and location of the areas you want to treat, a microneedling stamp or pen-like device may be used. Those devices are small and better for treating localized areas or specific wrinkles, as opposed to larger sections of skin. Your clinician can advise you about the best tool based on your situation.

Microneedling Pain Management and Needle Sizes

Microneedling may sound like a painful process to you, but the needles used are not what you may think of when you picture hypodermic devices. In fact, as the name suggests, microneedling needles are quite small. The needles can be as large as about 2 mm, but they are often as small as 0.5 mm in length. Also, regardless of the needle size, you should not feel much discomfort during treatment. Your clinician will numb your skin, minimizing any pain you would otherwise experience.

The Microneedling and Post-Microneedling Processes

In fact, most of your microneedling appointment will be spent sitting and waiting for the numbing agent applied to your skin to work. It may take as long as an hour for that to happen. After your skin is cleaned and fully numb, the microneedling tool will be used on your skin. That process should take less than 20 minutes in most cases.

You may have some mild redness and discomfort for a short time after treatment. Your skin will also be extremely sensitive to sunlight. Your clinician will tell you exactly how long you must avoid tanning and stay out of the sun or wear sunscreen after you leave the clinic. When you have your consultation or initial appointment you will also be told how many other appointments you may need. Those microneedling appointments will need to be scheduled several weeks apart in order for the healing process to take place properly.

Check out this awesome post by Karolina at CushySpa about her experience with derma-rolling and the science behind it.