How Does Microneedling Help Wrinkles & Fine Lines on the Face & Body?

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There are so many incredible wrinkle creams and other anti-aging products out there that can work wonders when it comes to diminishing lines and creases on the skin. However, even if you invest in the very best of the best, topical skincare takes a while to work, especially if you’re dealing with deep wrinkles.

This is what makes non-invasive cosmetic procedures, such as microneedling, so appealing. With minimal downtime and side effects, this is a technique that stimulates changes in the deeper layers of your skin, which is exactly what’s needed when trying to take control over the skin aging process as quickly as possible.

Even better, at-home microneedling devices are now readily available, making the procedure more convenient and cost-effective than ever. However, before you start splashing out on pricey devices or booking a session at your local dermatologic surgery, let’s find out a little more – how exactly does microneedling wrinkles work, and what else will this cosmetic procedure do to your skin?

Contents

What is Microneedling & What Does Microneedling Do for Your Skin?

Microneedling is a procedure that makes use of a handheld device fitted with multiple tiny needles, similar to those used for acupuncture.

beautiful woman taking care skin

As the microneedling device moves over the skin, it creates micro injuries. As soon as your body recognizes that these punctures have led to damaged skin, its natural healing processes are stimulated, which includes ramping up collagen production.

How extensively microneedling treatments are able to do this will depend on how deep the needles pierce into the skin – some work on quite a superficial level, whereas others dive much deeper, providing optimal results.

What are the Benefits of Microneedling?

At face value, microneedling treatments don’t sound very appealing, but take a look at the benefits that this procedure provides and you’re likely to quickly change your mind:

Lovely lady

Microneedling for Forehead Wrinkles, Crows Feet & Other Creases: Will Microneedling Help With Wrinkles?

One of the biggest benefits of microneedling is how effective it is at minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

As mentioned above, it triggers aging skin into producing more collagen, which is the protein that keeps your skin smooth and taut.

The more collagen that you have in your skin, the firmer and tighter your skin will be, with wrinkles and loose skin diminishing more and more with each treatment.

Microneedling for Blackheads & Clogged Pores: Does Microneedling Help Acne?

People rave about how microneedling treatments can help with acne scars (more on that later), but how does it work on active breakouts?

Turns out, this multi-tasking procedure is able to help reduce the frequency of your breakouts, although you’ll need to wait for any active pimples to die down before booking yourself in for a treatment.

Using topical medications in the meantime can help to speed this process up.

The Effects of Micro Needling on Scars

There aren’t many minimally invasive treatment options out there for dealing with acne scars, which is why microneedling is such a superstar. Studies show that microneedling treatments are able to reduce the visibility of scarring in almost 100% of patients [1].

Whether you’re dealing with atrophic facial scars, keloid scars, or anything else, regular microneedling sessions will improve your skin texture in a big way.

RELATED: How Do Celebrities Get Rid of Wrinkles

Does Microneedling Work for Hyperpigmentation?

Whether your dark spots are due to sun damaged skin or teenage acne breakouts, microneedling is a great way to encourage skin rejuvenation to even out the skin tone. Unlike fractional laser treatments, which are often not recommended for people with dark skin tones, microneedling is safe for skin of every color [2].

Can Microneedling Therapy Help With Stretch Marks?

If you’ve been struggling to shift your stretch marks, microneedling may be the answer. Research shows that it’s an effective treatment for both early and late stretch marks [3], with side effects being minimal compared to other types of aesthetic surgery.

Does Microneedling Hurt? Is Microneedling Safe? Here are the Side Effects to be Aware of + Signs of Micro Needling Gone Wrong

Since a powerful numbing cream is applied to the skin before a microneedling treatment, there isn’t much pain involved. Most reviews say that it feels like a small pinch, although extra numbing cream can be applied mid-treatment if your pain tolerance levels are particularly low.

patient getting treatment

Side effects are minimal too, which is why this treatment is such a hit. So long as your practitioner is experienced and is using sterilized needles, the only real side effect that you’ll notice is a small amount of skin irritation and flaking for 2-3 days.

That said, if you experience bleeding, an infection, or an allergic reaction, then speak to your doctor immediately.

How to Microneedle: Face, Neck, and Body Tips for Amazing Before and After Results

Whether you’re trying to treat fine lines and wrinkles, dark marks on photo-aged skin, or any of the other skin concerns we’ve mentioned above, you have two main options; professional treatments or an at-home device.

cosmetologist working on pretty patient

Both work well, with at-home devices usually containing long-enough needles to produce visible results in a matter of weeks. The fact that three sessions are needed at monthly intervals, followed by quarterly touch-ups, means that at-home devices are usually a more cost-effective solution.

Either way, keeping your skin hydrated will improve the results that you see, especially when treating the visible signs of aging. If you’re going the professional route, ask for a platelet-rich plasma to be added to your treatment, as this will accelerate the healing process.

RELATED: Does Botox Prevent Wrinkles

FAQ

Q: Is microneedling worth it for wrinkles?

Yes, microneedling is a very effective treatment for reducing wrinkles and other visible signs of aging skin.

Q: How long does microneedling last for wrinkles?

The effects of microneedling will last for about 3-5 months on wrinkles, although this does depend on how deep your wrinkles are.

Q: How many microneedling sessions are needed for wrinkles?

How many treatments you’ll need will depend on the severity of your wrinkles, and an objective assessment with your dermatologist will help to determine this. That said, three treatments at one-month intervals, followed by a touch-up every three months, is usually what’s recommended.

Q: Can microneedling reverse aging?

Yes, microneedling is very effective at reducing wrinkles and reversing the signs of aging.

Q: Does microneedling offer permanent results?

No, the results of microneedling aren’t permanent. Regular treatments are needed in order to maintain results.

Q: Can microneedling make skin look worse?

If you experience an extreme side effect or an allergic reaction, then microneedling may make your skin look worse.

Q: Do wrinkles come back after microneedling?

Yes, wrinkles do come back after microneedling, although it will take about 3-5 months before they reappear.

Q: Can microneedling tighten pores?

Yes, microneedling is a great way to shrink pore openings and reduce the visibility of your pores.

preparing to do microneedling

Q: Can microneedling help deep wrinkles?

Yes, microneedling is one of the best minimally-invasive ways to treat deeper wrinkles.

Q: Why do you need 3 microneedling sessions?

Three microneedling sessions are usually recommended for an optimal boost to collagen production. However, some people may need less, while others may need more.

Q: What is microneedling good for?

Microneedling is good for so many different skin concerns – fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, scarring, enlarged pores…the list goes on!

Q: What happens to whiteheads after microneedling?

Your whiteheads should soon start to diminish once your skin begins to heal after microneedling.

Q: Where can I find professional microneedling near me?

Look for a reputable dermatologist near you and then find out if they offer microneedling treatments. If they don’t, ask them to recommend someone credible that does.

Q: How does microneedling or collagen induction therapy compare to laser treatments?

Studies show that, when it comes to scarring, both microneedling and laser treatments offer comparable results, although side effects and negative reactions are less with microneedling [4].

Q: Is there pain or redness when a derma roller punctures the skin?

There is a small amount of pain and redness during a microneedling session.

Q: What’s the best cream to use after a microneedling session?

Your dermatologist will likely advise you on which cream to use after a microneedling session. However, anything that’s hydrating and soothing should help your skin to recover.

Conclusion: Is Micro Needling Worth It for Tackling Fine Lines & Deep Wrinkles?

So, does microneedling help wrinkles? The answer is a big yes. It’s a great way to firm and plump up your skin from within, which then gives the surface of the skin a smoother and tighter finish. Plus, not only will you benefit from these anti-wrinkle effects with each microneedling treatment you undergo, but you’ll also notice a brighter and more even skin tone, along with smaller pores and fewer acne breakouts.

References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2840919/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5556180/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5782435/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26845539

Avatar for Megan Foley

Megan has been a freelance writer and editor since 2016. In that time, she’s penned a diverse collection of articles for online publication, with a focus on skincare and beauty. From in-depth product reviews to concise marketing content, Megan is passionate about developing content that informs, entertains, and inspires.