The popularity of microneedling continues to grow. The treatment is non-surgical, affordable, and effective at stimulating collagen production, reducing the appearance of acne scars and sun damage, and improving the texture and tone of the skin. If you’re thinking about getting microneedling or are already a devoted fan of this treatment, read on for our top 5 tips for microneedling.
Know your options
Microneedling is generally done with needles that have 0.5mm or 0.75mm tips. There are also some 1mm tips out there, but these are less common. The length of the needles used determines the depth of the channels that form in the skin while being microneedled, and therefore the results. 0.5mm needles are best for milder treatments and sensitive skin, while 0.75mm needles are best for pigmented skin, acne scars, and deeper texture issues. 1mm needles are best for treating stretch marks. There are two basic forms of microneedling: roller, and pen. Roller microneedling is done with 0.5mm needles and is better for treating sensitive skin, while microneedling pen for skin is done with 0.75mm needles and is better for pigmented skin.
Pick the right length needle for your skin
When you’re picking the length of your needles, it’s important to think about your skin type and any health issues that you may have. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you should opt for 0.5mm needles, whereas if you have hyperpigmentation or acne scars, 0.75mm needles would be better. People with sun damage should go with 0.5mm or 0.75mm needles, but acne-prone people may want to opt for 0.75mm as 0.5mm needles may not be deep enough to treat their blemishes. For stretch marks, 1mm needles are best. If you have hyperpigmentation or acne scars, 0.75mm needles would be better. But if you have sun damage, you should opt for 0.5mm or 0.75mm needles, and acne-prone people may want to opt for 0.75mm, as 0.5mm might not be deep enough to treat their blemishes.
Go easy on numbing cream (but use it if you need it)
Even though 0.5mm needles are best for sensitive skin, many microneedling treatments are done with 0.75mm needles. In these cases, using a numbing cream and/or an anesthetic can help reduce pain and boost comfort and efficacy. We generally recommend using a numbing cream like lidocaine 4% cream for at least 15 minutes before the treatment, and an anesthetic for at least 30 minutes before starting. This is because anesthetics can lower the efficacy of the treatment and increase the risk of post-treatment breakouts. If you have hyperpigmentation, acne scars, or very sensitive skin, it would be best to use a numbing cream.
Boost post-microneedling with hyaluronic acid
If you pick the right length needles for your skin, your microneedling session will create channels in your skin that will gradually heal and fill in with new collagen and elastin. For maximum results, you should apply a topical retinoid like tretinoin or retinol for at least three months after your microneedling session. Retinoids boost collagen production and help the healing process after microneedling.
Conclusion
Microneedling is a non-surgical skin treatment that’s become increasingly popular in recent years. The treatment uses a handheld microneedling device to create shallow channels in the skin. If you’re thinking about getting microneedling, it’s best to know your options, pick the right length needles for your skin, and go easy on numbing cream (but use it if you need it). Finally, you can boost the results of your treatment by applying hyaluronic acid topically.