The Benefits Of Bringing Microneedling Into Your Beauty Routine

In our culture's ongoing pursuit of perfection, microneedling has entered the chat. Granted, it's not exactly new, but because it has so many benefits and is minimally invasive, it has become more popular for those hoping to minimize the appearance of certain concerns that might interfere with their self-esteem.

"Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that uses a device with very thin, sharp needle tips to make punctures on the skin," New York City-based dermatologist Bruce Katz told Byrdie. "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." It's the healing part of this equation that promotes collagen production, which is necessary for reducing scarring, wrinkles, stretch marks, and other skin-related imperfections. 

Although the thought of having tiny cuts willingly put into your epidermis might seem a bit daunting and maybe even a little creepy, the reality is that for some, microneedling is the best way to remedy facial blemishes that serums and moisturizers just can't. In other words, the benefits outweigh the intensity of microscopically slicing and dicing your skin.

As John Steinbeck wrote in his 1961 novel "The Winter of Our Discontent," "to be alive at all is to have scars," and while he was talking about the metaphorical as well as the literal, it doesn't mean we have to like our scars. Sure, they give us character, but sometimes we'd prefer to remove them, or at least lessen their appearance as much as possible. It's for these people and their pesky scars — stretch marks included! — that microneedling is a great option. As tiny cuts are made along the scarred area, collagen is prompted to step in and reduce visible scarring as the mini wounds heal. 

According to a 2020 study published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigation Dermatology, microneedling can effectively treat "acne scarring, hypertrophic or keloid scars, and those resulting from surgery, trauma, varicella or smallpox." As the study found, microneedling resulted in "high-level patient satisfaction" for those who chose this option to minimize their scars. 

As the American Academy of Dermatology Association explains, microneedling is also called "collagen induction therapy," because that's exactly what it does: induces collagen to do all the wonderful things it can do. It makes perfect sense that fine lines and wrinkles would benefit from microneedling, because their mere existence is due to the decrease in collagen production that accompanies aging. "When the skin feels these pinpricks, your body will naturally rush to heal them, resulting in a plumped, more youthful appearance," dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD, Ph.D. told Elle.

A 2018 study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology examined the results of four microneedling sessions on 48 people between the ages of 35 to 75. After the four sessions that were spaced out 30 days apart, researchers found a significant improvement in both minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as skin elasticity and texture.

While minimizing scarring and wrinkles is probably the biggest selling point for microneedling, pretty much anyone can benefit from it. Even if you don't have any scars or fine lines you're looking to address, the occasional microneedling session can breathe new life into your skin, making it brighter, smoother, and more evenly toned. While it's certainly not a replacement for your daily skincare routine, it can be an add-on you indulge in a few times a year (it can run between $250 and $1500), or, if you can afford it, once a month. 

It's important to remember that microneedling doesn't provide immediate results. "Response to treatment may vary, but some may need four to six sessions over several months to obtain the desired results, while others may be happy after one to two," associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine Mona Gohara, M.D. told Yahoo Life. "But maintenance treatments may be necessary to keep the progress up and prevent further damage."

It's also worth noting that, while at-home microneedling kits can help the appearance of skin texture, they can't produce long-term results. "The at-home versions will just get your skin a little pink. They aren't deep enough where you'll see blood droplets," licensed esthetician Jordana Mattioli told InStyle, sharing that those droplets are a necessary part of inducing collagen. That's why — as well as saving time and money — this is a treatment you may want to leave to the professionals.