Microneedling – also known as micro-needle therapy – is one of the best-known skin-improving treatments right now, and not without reason. Yet many people don't know exactly what happens to the skin during such a treatment, why needles are involved at all, and what the difference is with the dermarollers you can buy online. In this article we take you through the treatment step by step, from the principle behind it to the aftercare.
The principle: prompting the skin to repair itself
In microneedling, very fine, sterile needles create thousands of microscopic channels in the skin. That sounds more intense than it is: the channels are so small that you can't see them with the naked eye. But for the skin they are a clear signal to get to work.
The skin regards the micro-channels as tiny injuries and starts its natural repair process. Part of that is the production of new collagen and elastin – exactly the proteins that keep the skin firm, springy and smooth, and whose own production gradually declines from around your mid-twenties. Microneedling therefore uses no foreign substances to improve the skin, but activates the ability the skin already has.
What is microneedling used for?
Because the treatment stimulates skin renewal and collagen production, microneedling is used for a wide range of skin concerns:
Uneven skin texture and enlarged pores
Scars, including acne scars
Fine lines and loss of firmness
A dull, tired skin that could use a boost
Specific areas such as the lip contour (with a targeted variant)
How the treatment goes, step by step
A microneedling treatment with us takes around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the variant, and always follows a fixed pattern:
Intake and skin analysis: we look at your skin, discuss your skin concern and check whether there are any reasons not to treat (right now)
Thorough cleansing and preparation of the skin
The microneedling itself, with needle depth and intensity matched to your skin and the area we are treating
Soothing care straight after the treatment
Concrete aftercare advice for the first days at home
Does it hurt?
The honest question everyone asks. Most clients find microneedling well tolerated: you feel a light prickling or scratching sensation, comparable to fine sandpaper moving over the skin. Some areas (such as the forehead, where the skin lies closer to the bone) are more sensitive than others. We always adjust the intensity to what is comfortable for you – a treatment doesn't have to hurt to be effective.
What happens after the treatment?
Straight afterwards the skin looks red, similar to mild sunburn, and may feel warm. This usually fades within 24 to 48 hours. In the days after, the skin may feel a little drier or tighter than normal – a sign that the renewal process is under way.
The most important aftercare rules: avoid strong sunlight, sauna and intensive exercise for the first days, use mild products and – crucially – apply SPF daily. After the treatment the skin is extra sensitive to UV radiation, and sun protection also protects the result you have just invested in.
Why one treatment is usually not enough
Building collagen is a slow process: the body builds the new skin structure over weeks to months. One treatment often already gives a fresher look, but for structural improvement of texture or scars a course of several sessions is usually recommended, with a few weeks' rest in between so the skin can fully recover each time. During the intake we discuss a realistic number for your skin concern – honestly, without selling unnecessary sessions.
And what about dermarollers for home?
Home dermarollers work with much shorter needles and therefore only reach the top layer of the skin – so the effect stays limited to a temporarily fresher look. Professional microneedling works deeper, where collagen production actually takes place, and is carried out in hygienic conditions with knowledge of needle depth, technique and contraindications. That difference in depth and safety is exactly why this is a salon treatment and not a DIY job.
Microneedling is a powerful, versatile treatment for anyone who wants to get serious about skin texture, scars or skin rejuvenation – based on what the skin can do itself. Curious whether it suits your skin and how many sessions are realistic? Read on our treatment page or book a free intake.
