What I Wish I Knew About Microneedling Before Trying It
Before I Get into Everything There Is to Know About Microneedling, Let Me Just Say That You Can Group Me in the "Down for Anything" Category When It Comes to Beauty. I'm Typically Open to Trying Any Trend or Treatment as Long as Experts Say It's Safe— This Rings Especially True When It Comes to Something That Claims to Improve One or More of My Many Skin Concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Microneedling?
"Microneedling Is a Cosmetic Procedure That Uses a Device with Very Thin, Sharp Needle Tips to Make Punctures on the Skin," Says New York City-Based Dermatologist, Bruce Katz. "The Functionality Behind Microneedling Is That Once the Body Feels the Small Pricks, It Works to Heal Those Cuts, Resulting in a Refreshed Look; the Punctures Are Only Surface-Level, So the Pain Is Minimal." This Process Works to Rejuvenate Your Skin by Boosting Collagen Production, Which in Turn Reduces the Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines and Elevates the Overall Texture of Your Skin.
Benefits of Microneedling
Professional Microneedling Has a Slew of Immediate and Long-Term Benefits, Including:
How to Prepare Your Skin for Microneedling
If You're Using Any Intense Topical Treatments, It's Advised to Discontinue Use a Few Days Before Your Microneedling Treatment. Harsh Products Could Aggravate the Skin, So Milder Is the Key. "In Addition to Having a Cleansed and Toned Face, You Should Also Avoid Using Retinol at Least 48 Hours Prior and Avoid Direct Sun Exposure for About Three Days Prior and Three Days Following," Notes Josie Holmes, an Esthetician at Skinney Medspa. "I Would Also Advise Against Using Any Aggressive Acids Within the Week of the Procedure."
What to Expect from Microneedling
Does It Hurt? It Doesn't Hurt per Se, but It Doesn't Feel Good After Letting the Numbing Cream Seep into My Skin for a Half-Hour, Having a Bunch of Needles Continuously Puncture My Skin Was Honestly an Easy Process. in Terms of Pain, I Experienced a Tolerable Treatment That Lasted All of 20 Minutes. to Be Real, It Felt Like Five Minutes, and by the End of It, I Was Fine. My Forehead, Hairline, and Jawline Areas Were More Sensitive Than Other Areas. I Barely Felt the Tool When It Passed over My Cheeks, Which Dr. Shah Surprisingly Confirmed Was the Deepest Level of Depth.
Side Effects of Microneedling
Immediately After My Face Mask, My Cheeks and the Top of My Forehead Were Slightly Red. This Is a Normal Side Effect of the Minimal Bleeding That Happens During the Treatment. I Was Shook Because the Only Time I Experience Redness Is After a Crazy Workout. but This Went Away in an Hour.
At-Home Vs. in-Office Microneedling
"Microneedling in the Doctor's Office Can Go a Lot Deeper Than at-Home Devices and Are Thus More Efficacious," Says Dr. Katz. "At-Home Devices Have Minimal Benefits Compared to in-Office Microneedling. the Needles Are Less Sharp Than the in-Office Microneedles, So There Is Less Risk of Injury to the User at Home. That Being Said, at-Home Microneedling Has More Risks Than in-Office. Say You Have a Zit on Your Face That You Rupture During the at-Home Treatment—Then You Are Potentially Rolling the P. Acnes Bacteria All over the Rest of Your Face, Which Can Lead to Increased Acne. I Say Leave the Microneedling to a Dermatologist Who Can Make Sure You Get the Best Results."
Microneedling Aftercare
Maya Allen / Byrdie
The Final Takeaway
Studies Show That Your Topical Products Are More Deeply Penetrating After Microneedling. This Is So, So True. the Week After My Treatment, My Hydrating Moisturizer Has Felt So Incredibly Soothing on My Skin—to the Point That I Look Forward to Cleansing My Skin and Applying It the Second I Walk into My Apartment at the End of the Day.
