Microneedling: One of the Most Underestimated Treatments for Skin
Microneedling is one of my favourite treatments to perform in clinic, but I also think it’s one of the most underestimated.
It isn’t necessarily the newest or most talked-about treatment in aesthetics, but when it comes to improving overall skin quality, stimulating collagen and treating concerns such as fine lines, uneven texture, enlarged pores and acne scarring, it’s a treatment I come back to again and again.
What I particularly love about microneedling is that it works with the skin’s own natural repair processes. By creating controlled micro-injuries within the skin, we trigger a healing response that encourages collagen and elastin production and remodelling.
The improvements aren’t about an overnight transformation. They develop gradually as the skin repairs and remodels, improving its texture, quality and overall appearance.
Why does collagen matter?
We hear the word collagen everywhere, but what does it actually do?
Collagen is one of the main proteins that gives our skin its strength, structure and support.
As we age, we naturally produce less collagen and the collagen already within our skin changes too. This contributes to many of the things we begin to notice as we get older — fine lines, reduced firmness and changes in skin texture.
Hormones also play an important role. Around menopause, declining oestrogen levels can have a significant effect on collagen, skin thickness, hydration and elasticity.
This is one of the reasons I’m such a fan of treatments that focus on improving skin quality and stimulating collagen, rather than simply chasing individual lines.
So, how does microneedling work?
Microneedling, sometimes called collagen induction therapy, uses very fine, sterile needles to create thousands of tiny, controlled microchannels in the skin.
These tiny micro-injuries trigger the skin’s natural healing response, stimulating the cells responsible for producing collagen and supporting the skin’s structure.
Over the following weeks and months, the skin goes through a process of repair and remodelling, which can gradually improve its texture, firmness and overall quality.
This is why I don’t really think of microneedling as simply a facial. We’re encouraging the skin to do something — and that process takes time.
What can microneedling help with?
One of the reasons I use microneedling so much in clinic is its versatility.
Depending on your skin and what we’re trying to achieve, microneedling can be used to improve the appearance of:
Fine lines
Uneven or rough skin texture
Enlarged pores
Acne scarring
Certain other types of scarring
Some pigmentation concerns
Dull skin
General signs of skin ageing
But you don’t necessarily need to have a particular skin concern.
Microneedling can also be used simply as part of a longer-term approach to maintaining good skin quality as we get older.
What happens during a microneedling treatment?
Every treatment starts with a consultation.
I’ll assess your skin, discuss your medical history, current medications and skincare, and most importantly, what you’d like to achieve from treatment.
Your skin is then thoroughly cleansed and prepared before a professional microneedling device is passed systematically over the treatment area.
Needle depth isn’t simply a case of deeper is better.
The depth and treatment settings are chosen according to your skin, the area being treated and what we’re trying to achieve. Treating general skin quality, for example, is very different from treating acne scarring.
Immediately afterwards, your skin will usually look pink or red and may feel warm or slightly tight — a little like mild sunburn.
Does microneedling hurt?
This is understandably one of the questions I’m asked most!
How microneedling feels varies from person to person and also depends on the area and depth being treated.
Some areas are more sensitive than others, and you may feel a scratching, prickling or vibrating sensation as the device passes over the skin.
I’ll always talk you through what to expect before we begin and make sure you’re comfortable throughout your treatment.
What is the downtime?
For most people, downtime following microneedling is relatively manageable.
Your skin is likely to be red immediately afterwards and may feel warm, tight or slightly sensitive. This usually begins to settle over the following days, although you may notice some dryness or light flaking while your skin recovers.
I’ll give you full aftercare advice following your appointment, including how to look after your skin and when to restart your usual active skincare products.
Sun protection is particularly important following treatment.
When will I see results?
This is where patience pays off.
You may notice your skin looking fresher relatively quickly, but the changes we’re trying to create within the skin don’t happen overnight.
Collagen production and remodelling continue after your treatment, so improvements in skin texture and quality develop gradually over the following weeks and months.
I always encourage patients to think of microneedling as a process rather than an instant result.
How many treatments will I need?
There isn’t one answer that applies to everybody.
The number and frequency of treatments I recommend will depend on your skin, what we’re treating and what you’d like to achieve.
For general skin rejuvenation, a course of around three treatments, usually spaced approximately 4–6 weeks apart, is commonly recommended, although this will always be tailored to you.
Once you’ve achieved the improvement you’re looking for, occasional maintenance treatments can then form part of your longer-term skin plan.
What about microneedling with exosomes?
Microneedling can also be combined with exosomes as part of a more advanced treatment protocol.
Exosomes have become increasingly talked about within regenerative aesthetics and can be applied topically following microneedling to support the skin during the post-treatment recovery process.
For clients who want to enhance their microneedling treatment, I also offer the option of combining it with exosomes following an assessment of your skin and individual treatment goals.
If you’d like to learn more about exosomes, including what they are and how I use them in clinic, you can read more on my Skin Regeneration page.
Is microneedling suitable for everyone?
No treatment is suitable for absolutely everybody, which is why consultation and proper assessment are so important.
There are circumstances where microneedling may need to be postponed or may not be appropriate, including certain active skin conditions, infections and some medical conditions or medications.
Your medical history, medication, skin condition and treatment goals will therefore always be assessed before proceeding.
As a Registered Nurse and Independent Prescriber, safety and appropriate patient selection are an important part of every treatment I provide.
Why do I think microneedling is underestimated?
I think microneedling can sometimes be overlooked simply because it’s a treatment that has been around for a long time. With new treatments and technologies continually appearing in aesthetics, it’s easy to assume that newer must mean better.
But there’s a reason microneedling has stood the test of time.
For a relatively straightforward treatment, it can have a significant impact on overall skin quality and can be used to address a wide range of concerns, from fine lines and texture to enlarged pores and acne scarring.
It can also be adapted to different skin concerns and incorporated into a longer-term skin plan, making it an effective and accessible way to invest in the quality of your skin.
For me, when you consider the range of concerns it can treat and the benefits it can offer, microneedling remains one of the best-value treatments I offer in clinic.
And that’s exactly why, despite all the newer treatments that continue to appear in aesthetics, it remains one of my favourites.
Interested in microneedling?
If you’d like to find out whether microneedling would be suitable for your skin, you can book a consultation with me at Sarah Hunt Aesthetics in Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire.
We’ll discuss your skin, what you’d like to improve and whether microneedling — or another approach — would be most appropriate for you.
Microneedling treatments from £120.
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