Microneedling and the Fountain of Youth; The benefits, risks and my experience as a patient.
Is Microneedling Legit?
The aging process is unavoidable and a tremendous amount of pressure is placed on “turning back the clock”. According to Forbes, the beauty industry made 94 billion dollars in 2023 and that number is rising . With many people keeping a tight eye on less invasive procedures, natural ingredients , and limited downtime, microneedling is becoming a popular facial rejuvenation option. But, how does it actually work? Does it hurt? And what can it help? This blog covers things like how the procedure is done and its benefits, risks, and recovery.
Why Microneedling?
I have never taken care of my skin except for using sunscreen. At 42, I noticed recently that my skin looked dull and dry. I started looking into topical products to help maintain and stimulate the turnover of skin cells . I also added things like collagen to my diet as well as antiinflammatory herbs like turmeric to help my body with rejuvenation. While this was all helpful I was really interested to see what microneedling could do. I heard about microneedling during my time in Graduate school and decided to give it a try . My face checked so many boxes of issues that microneedling addresses:
Fine lines and wrinkles ( crows feet around eyes)
Hyperpigmentation ( I am freckly)
Enlarged pores ( wow you could fall into my pores!)
Skin texture and tone ( Looking for that glow)
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling, sometimes referred to as collagen induction therapy , is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that simultaneously uses a group of small fine needles to perforate the skin thereby stimulating the wound healing process. This stimulates the skin and boosts the production of both collagen and elastin resulting in a more youthful glow for the patient. In my experience with microneedling the MicroEssence Pen device was used . This combines electronic stimulation, needling and either red or blue light therapy to stimulate the skin cells. The procedure was done by a Licensed acupuncturist at their acupuncture studio.
What to Expect
Before:
I chatted with my acupuncturist to discuss my goals and learn more about the procedure. Natalie, a lovely owner, practitioner and all around Baddie at Regrowth Family Acupuncture in Conshohocken provided a thorough consult and put me at ease right away .
Try to find a provider you like and trust as they will be up in your personal space for about an hour
After I had my consult, Natalie cleaned my face to remove any dirt and oil
Then she applied a numbing cream that needed to sit on the skin for 20 minutes for max comfort. It had a cooling effect and little to no smell which was awesome
During :
After 20 minutes the numbing cream is gently removed with a warm towel
I felt pampered and very relaxed as Natalie is amazing and the vibe of the office is very calming
A test area on your face is done to see how the skin responds as well as to check to make sure you are numb enough to proceed
The MicroEssence pen uses a bed of small needles that are inserted into the skin, along with electric stimulation and red light therapy
I only felt vibration and maybe a little tingling as we worked over my whole face
As the MicroEssence device is being moved across the face a hyaluronic acid gel is also being applied . This adds to the comfort but also helps the skin cell turnover
After :
Overall , I was on the table for about 45 minutes which included the 20 minutes for the numbing cream. The whole time was chill and It was nice to treat myself to some skincare
I was given a bit of hyaluronic acid gel to take home with me to apply as needed when the skin felt dry
I did have pinpoint bleeding and redness to my face when I was leaving the appointment
About 3 hours after the appointment the numbing cream effects wore off and I just felt like I had a nasty sunburn. I washed my face with cool water and applied hyaluronic acid goo that night
More redness occurred over the next two days
On the third day my skin started to peel ( it's like a sunburn remember)
By day 5 my face started to look like my face again
The results of this treatment are not instant but I certainly saw more life in my skin, noting that my fine lines were a little less visible
Natallie discussed returning for a series of treatments for the best results and changes should be seen in about 3-4 weeks .
*****Everyone has different goals so your timeline of treatment may vary
Risks and Side Effects
Like any procedure please do your homework. This is treatment for the face so if you are sensitive to products or fragrances please discuss this with your acupuncturist. I have an allergy to rose and one of the gels that is commonly used had rose as an ingredient. There was an alternative but please check before your appointment.
I found that I did have:
Temporary redness and swelling
Dryness or flaking
It is possible to experience :
Bruising
Infection
Hyperpigmentation in darker skin types (always consult a professional)
It is recommended to avoid microneedling if any of the following applies to you:
Have active acne or skin infections
Are pregnant or breastfeeding (always check with your obgyn)
Have a history of keloids or poor wound healing
Are on blood-thinning medications or Accutane
Going through chemo or radiation treatment
Are taking antibiotics
Microneedling is a natural way to tap into your own body’s fountain of youth. This procedure had minimal downtime and easy after care. I am certainly looking forward to taking better care of my skin and maintaining what I can to help ease the march of the clock. I highly recommend doing your own research and looking into what is the best fit for you. The best part about microneedling is giving yourself the gift of self care and having that peaceful forty five minutes to an hour to enjoy being pampered. The glow that follows you home is incredible!
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a licensed dermatologist or skincare provider for personalized treatment
References :
Carell, D. (2024, December 8). Unlock Radiant Skin with Microneedling. Deanna Carell. https://www.deannacarell.com/post/unlock-radiant-skin-with-microneedling
The History and Evolution of Microneedling. Dr Aesthetica. (Jun; 2025 ). 2023. https://draesthetica.co.uk/ask-aesthetica/the-history-and-evolution-of-microneedling/ https://draesthetica.co.uk/ask-aesthetica/the-history-and-evolution-of-microneedling/
Jain, A. (2024, November 12). Council Post: How the beauty industry shapes the US economy.
Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2024/11/12/how-the-beauty-industry-shapes-the-us-economy/
Jaiswal, S., & Jawade, S. (2024). Microneedling in Dermatology: A Comprehensive Review of Applications, Techniques, and Outcomes. Cureus, 16(9), e70033. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.70033
Singh, A., & Yadav, S. (2016). Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons. Indian dermatology online journal, 7(4), 244–254. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.185468
