Microneedling for Wrinkles: Everything You Need to Know

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People try all sorts of treatments to get rid of wrinkles, and one of the top trends is microneedling.

Microneedling has been shown to be very effective in reducing lines and wrinkles, as well as other skin problems. It is safe, relatively painless, and usually only requires touch-ups every few months after the original treatment.

It has even been proven to work on problems such as acne scars, sun damage, and loose, sagging skin.

If you want to give microneedling a try, then this article will inform you about everything you need to know about microneedling for wrinkles.

How Does Microneedling Work?

Microneedling involves dozens of very small needles that prick the skin, but because they’re so tiny, it is a relatively painless treatment.

Once the tiny needles prick the skin, the skin reads this as trauma and, therefore, it begins to rebuild itself by producing more collagen. Your skin rejuvenates itself and the collagen improves the overall look of the skin because of the increased collagen production.

In addition to helping improve the look of lines and wrinkles, microneedling is good for skin problems such as:

Scarring and acne scarring.
Sagging skin.
Sun damage.
Skin pigmentation.
problems.
Stretch marks.
Alopecia.

Doctors and estheticians have been recommending microneedling for years now, and there’s little wonder why. It is fast and simple, and there is no downtime involved. The first session normally takes around two hours, but touch-up sessions are shorter.

The most commonly used device is a roller device that allows the esthetician to “roll” the needles over the skin.

Another popular tool used for microneedling is dermapen, which is an electrically-powered handheld device that uses a stamp-like vertical motion to pierce the skin, resulting in collagen production and tightening of the skin.

Does Microneedling Really Work for Wrinkles and Deep Wrinkles?

It does indeed work. The increase in collagen production plumps up the skin and causes it to come to life again. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which is a protein that keeps skin looking the way it should.

Microneedling stimulates the production of collagen and, therefore, puts more of it back into your body, and for anti-aging purposes, collagen is extremely important. Every time you get one of these treatments, collagen is produced, which helps with numerous skin problems and conditions.

Best of all, unless you’re pregnant or you’re taking certain acne medications, you are a candidate for the microneedling procedure. If you choose to do this type of treatment at a clinic, always discuss which medications you’re taking with the doctor before going any further.

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Wrinkles and How Often?

Clinics recommend undergoing a series of treatments to reduce wrinkles and fade fine lines. Typically a series of four to six treatments spaced four to six weeks apart.

But the exact number of sessions and the frequency will mainly depend on the severity of your skin condition, how your skin reacts to the procedure, and the products that are used in addition to the microneedling device.

After undergoing the initial treatments, you can schedule your touch-up appointments a few times a year to maintain the results.

At-Home vs. Professional Microneedling

There is a lot written about both professional and at-home microneedling procedures, and the fact is that they are both very effective. This being said, here are some things to think about when you’re considering which of these two options to choose:

Many at-home microneedling products do not puncture the skin as deeply as professional devices, which means they can be a lot more comfortable than a professional treatment.

At-home microneedling pens and rollers are much less expensive than professional treatments.

Professional treatments tend to produce greater results, since the “injuries” inflicted by the microneedling device stimulate the production of collagen so that the skin can be repaired.

At-home products are more difficult to clean, but as long as you clean them properly, you won’t have to worry about any type of infection or injury.

Depending on your budget, the condition and sensitivity of your skin, and the results you are hoping to achieve, it shouldn’t be difficult to decide which option is best for you.

They both work and are safe, but if you are trying to get rid of fine lines and shallow wrinkles, an at-home microneedling device will likely produce great results. If you have moderate to severe facial wrinkles, it’s much more likely that professional treatment is what you should choose.

Are There Any Side Effects with Microneedling?

Side effects are not that common with microneedling; however, they do sometimes occur. Some of the least severe side effects include:

Bruising.
Discomfort.
Dryness.
Flakiness of the skin.
Redness.
Swelling.

If you research your at-home treatment and speak to the doctor during a professional visit and discuss any concerns you might have, the chances are good that by the time you are set to receive your first treatment, you’ll know that the treatment is going to be safe.

There are also a few more serious side effects, and while they are extremely rare, they do include the following:

Changes in skin pigment.
Infection.
Reaction to the topical medication used in the procedure.

Furthermore, if you want to reduce the odds of suffering from any of these side effects, talk to your doctor first if you:

Have active acne.
Have an active skin infection.
Have keloid scarring.

It doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be eliminated as a candidate for microneedling, but the doctor needs to know this beforehand to make the right decision and to keep you safe.

Chemical Peel vs. Microneedling for Wrinkles

While microneedling and chemical peels both do a great job of making your skin look better, they have completely different purposes.

Microneedling increases the production of collagen so that you get younger-looking skin, while chemical peels are essentially super exfoliators that remove dead skin cells to encourage the growth of new ones.

If you’re aiming for specific results, it will behoove you to research both of these treatments to determine which one is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Microneedling Better Than Botox?

A: Both microneedling and Botox have pros and cons. They are both safe, very effective, and can be done on all skin types.

Sometimes, people do both of these because microneedling is good for the surface and the deeper conditioning of the skin, whereas Botox is good for long-term effects. If you’re interested in this option, simply speak to your doctor about it.

Q: Is At-Home Microneedling Safe?

A: Microneedling is indeed safe when done at home, as long as you pay attention to the instructions and follow them to the letter. Make sure you find out about any contraindications and special instructions it may have, but as long as you’re doing this, you should be fine.

Q: Are Microneedling Results Permanent?

A: Microneedling results are not permanent. After the initial sessions, you should come in for touch-up treatments every 8 to 12 weeks. This will keep your skin nice and smooth for as long as you continue the touch-ups.

Conclusion

Microneedling is a great procedure for increasing collagen production, and since collagen works wonders for all types of skin problems, you’re very likely to be happy with its results.

While side effects are rare and mostly minor, and while there are some people who are not good candidates for the procedure, it is definitely worth looking into if you’re dealing with lines and wrinkles, or if there is anything about your skin that you don’t like.