What Is Microneedling and How Does It Work?

Does sagging, wrinkled skin have to be a fact of life? As we age, our skin cells produce fewer of the elastic fibers that keep our skin taught and moist, especially on our faces. New technology has been developed recently that can stimulate better production of these elastic fibers. What’s more, this technology – called microneedling – is affordable and available for you to use at home.

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling, also known as “percutaneous collagen induction therapy,” may remind you of acupuncture. As its name suggests, the procedure uses tiny sterile needles to create vertical exfoliation channels in the skin. Like acupuncture, nothing is injected into your body, as the physical act of inserting the needles causes your body to respond. However, unlike acupuncture needles, these are very short – only a couple of millimeters long or less.

How Is the Microneedling Technique Performed?

Microneedling is a simple technique that can be performed at a dermatology office or from the convenience of your own home. If you choose to go to a professional to receive this treatment, larger microneedling machines that contain longer needles are used. The dermatologist will also likely use a topical anesthetic like lidocaine so you don’t feel any pain.¹With derma rollers, you will not only receive a top of the line dermatology experience right at home by lightly rolling the device over a section of your skin, but no pain killer is needed. They also come in different sizes and have different length needles depending on the type of skin and area of your body you’d like to use it on.

What Does Microneedling Do to Your Skin?

As the microneedles glide across the skin, they gently make micro-injuries on the top layer. When this happens, your natural healing response kicks in. Your immune system produces various growth factors that stimulate regeneration in the treated area. Over the course of the next few days, your skin cells produce new structural proteins, such as collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans. These proteins form the structural matrix that keeps your skin tough, taut, and flexible. New blood vessels also grow into the area, giving your skin improved access to oxygen and nutrients.²

What Are the Benefits of Microneedling?

When using a derma roller consistently, the skin will begin to appear smoother and stronger and wrinkles, scarring (including acne scars), and other blemishes can also be reduced. Microneedling can also be done on other areas of your body to help with cellulite and stretch marks. Clinical trials have found that patients who use microneedling can achieve tougher, tighter, and more flexible skin after just a few weeks.³

How Do I Care for My Derma Roller?

Taking care of your skin and your derma roller is easy! Just remember to sterilize the needles on your roller with rubbing alcohol before you use it and keep the roller in a hard container to protect the needles from becoming damaged. For the best results, you will need to use your roller routinely – three times a week for a month is a good start. If you go to a clinic, you will need to return a few times every couple of weeks before you can expect to see results.⁴

Overall, microneedling is very safe and produces fairly quick results. If you would like to try it out for yourself, there are a variety of derma rollers that you can purchase online.