Is Skin Needling Worth It? Pain Level, Results and How Many Sessions You Need

Are you frustrated with dull, uneven skin, or fine lines that just won’t budge?

You’re not alone. The search for smoother, younger-looking skin leads many to explore options like skin needling, also known as microneedling.

But, is it really worth the hype? In this article, we’ll dive into skin needling, discussing the pain level, expected results, and how many sessions you need to see visible improvement.

What Is Skin Needling?

Skin needling is a minimally invasive treatment that involves creating tiny punctures in the skin using fine, sterile needles.

These micro-injuries stimulate your skin’s natural healing response, boosting collagen and elastin production. As a result, it promotes smoother, firmer, and younger-looking skin.

Microneedling is especially effective in treating concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven skin texture. It’s also used to improve overall skin tone and elasticity. But, how much discomfort can you expect, and is the treatment truly effective?

At Byron Eve, we understand the desire for smooth, youthful skin, and skin needling offers a non-invasive solution to achieve just that. It’s an effective treatment for rejuvenating your skin, reducing fine lines, improving skin texture, and boosting collagen production.

What Happens During a Microneedling Appointment?

During your skin needling session, a trained professional will use a microneedling pen or roller to create controlled micro-injuries on the surface of your skin. This process triggers your skin’s healing mechanism, encouraging collagen and elastin production.

For added benefits, some clinics also use Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) or radiofrequency treatments alongside microneedling to enhance results.

PRP Microneedling: This involves drawing your blood, separating the platelet-rich plasma, and applying it to the skin. The PRP accelerates healing and further stimulates collagen production.
Radiofrequency Microneedling: A more advanced version where energy is delivered through the microneedles to stimulate deeper layers of the skin, improving the skin’s elasticity.

Does Microneedling Hurt?

One of the most common questions people ask is: Does skin needling hurt? The pain level can vary, but most people report mild to moderate discomfort during the procedure.

Here’s a breakdown:

Pain Level: It’s often described as feeling like light sandpaper or tingling on the skin. Thinner skin areas, like around the eyes and lips, may feel more sensitive.
Numbing Cream: Most clinics apply a numbing cream to the area before treatment to reduce discomfort, making the procedure more tolerable.
Depth of Needles: The pain intensity depends on the depth of the needles used. For superficial treatments, the discomfort is minimal, but for deeper treatments (for scar removal or deeper wrinkles), it can feel more intense.

What Do the Results of Microneedling Look Like?

While microneedling results can vary based on your skin type and the issues being treated, most people start seeing visible improvements after the healing phase. Here’s a closer look:

Immediate Results: Right after the procedure, your skin might appear slightly pink or flushed, similar to a mild sunburn. This typically fades within a few hours.
Long-Term Benefits: Within 4-6 weeks, you’ll notice that your skin is looking more radiant, with a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, and improved skin texture. For more severe concerns like acne scarring or stretch marks, the improvements continue after each session.

How Long Do Microneedling Results Last?

Microneedling is not a one-time fix, it requires multiple sessions to achieve long-lasting results. Here’s how the results typically evolve:

Initial Results: Expect a noticeable improvement in skin texture and tone within 4-6 weeks.
Long-Term Results: Continued skin rejuvenation occurs over several months as collagen production ramps up. For optimal results, microneedling should be repeated in 3-6 sessions, spaced a few weeks apart.

How Many Sessions Do You Need?

The number of skin needling sessions you’ll need depends on your skin concerns and desired results.

Here’s a general guide:

For mild skin aging or texture concerns: About 3 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart may be sufficient.
For acne scarring or deeper wrinkles: You may need 4-8 sessions to see significant improvement, especially for older or more severe scarring.
Maintenance: After your initial set of treatments, maintenance sessions every 3-6 months will help keep your skin looking rejuvenated and youthful.

Factors that Affect the Number of Sessions:

Skin type and concerns: Deeper scarring or severe sun damage may require more sessions.
Age: Older skin may need more time and treatments to show results.
Treatment depth: More intense treatments may require more recovery time and multiple sessions for optimal results.

Is Microneedling Safe?

Microneedling is generally considered safe, but it’s essential to ensure it’s done by a trained and certified professional. While it’s a relatively low-risk treatment, there are a few precautions:

Active acne: Microneedling should not be performed on active, inflamed acne, as it can worsen the condition.
Skin conditions: Conditions like rosacea and eczema may make your skin more sensitive to microneedling, so it’s best to consult a dermatologist first.
Scarring risk: Microneedling can be risky for individuals prone to keloid scarring or those with dark skin tones, as it may lead to hyperpigmentation if not performed correctly.

The Healing Process of Microneedling

After your session, you’ll experience some redness and irritation, similar to a mild sunburn. This should subside within a few hours. The healing process involves your skin repairing the micro-injuries and producing collagen and elastin over the next few weeks.

First 24-48 hours: Expect mild swelling and tenderness.
After 3-7 days: The skin will start to feel smoother, and fine lines will appear reduced. However, deeper wrinkles and scars may require more sessions for optimal results.

Post-Treatment Skin Care After Microneedling

Proper post-treatment care is essential to maximise the results of skin needling:

Use hydrating and soothing serums like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to promote healing.
Avoid using exfoliating acids (AHAs/BHAs) for at least a week.
Always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your sensitive skin.

Microneedling with PRP and Radiofrequency

PRP Microneedling: When combined with PRP, microneedling becomes even more effective, accelerating collagen production and speeding up the healing process.
Radiofrequency Microneedling: For more advanced treatments, radiofrequency microneedling delivers heat energy through the needles to stimulate deeper collagen production and tighten the skin, making it ideal for more severe skin concerns.

Ready to experience the transformative effects of skin needling? Book a consultation today with our expert team. Call us at (07) 3899 4222. We’re here to help you achieve the glowing skin you’ve always wanted!

Book Your Skin Needling Consultation

Chat one-on-one with our expert skin therapists in Brisbane. We’ll assess your skin, answer your questions, and create a tailored plan to help you achieve smoother, firmer, and more radiant skin, with no pressure.