Common Questions and Answers Concerning Microneedling
You may need more than one treatment session to get the results you want. For example, if your provider is treating acne scars, you may need 3 to 5 treatments, which are performed every 4-6 weeks. Studies have found that this treatment plan can fade acne scars by 50% to 70%.
It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of stress.
Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with a Northeast Medical Aesthetics associate or contact us at 484-202-0017 or by email.
When Do Patients See Results From Microneedling?
Results appear gradually as your body produces collagen. You may see improvement within a few weeks. It usually takes several months before you see full results. Some people need to have a series of treatments to see optimal results.
How Long Do the Results From Microneedling Last?
As your body loses collagen, the results will fade. People lose collagen at different rates. To decrease the amount of collagen that your body loses:
- Protect your skin from the sun
- Don’t smoke
To maintain your results, your provider may also recommend that you return for a maintenance microneedling sessions.
Is There Any Downtime After Microneedling?
Immediately after microneedling, you may see some redness (lighter skin tones) or darker shades (darker skin tones) on your treated skin. Your treated skin may feel like it’s sunburned, causing minor discomfort, burning, or swelling.
These reactions usually disappear in a few days to a week.
To soothe your skin in the meantime, your provider may recommend applying a post treatment aftercare cream.
However, it’s important to wait 24 hours before you apply makeup. It is also important to avoid direct sunlight and use SPF daily.
Who Should Avoid Microneedling?
This treatment is safe for most people and people of all skin tones. However, no one treatment is right for everyone.
You should not have microneedling if you:
- Heal slowly or poorly
- Have (or had) a raised scar called a keloid
- Have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or medication
- Are being treated for skin cancer in the area that you want microneedling
- Are receiving radiation treatments
There are also certain times when microneedling should not be performed. Your provider will wait to treat you if you have:
- A sunburn
- A skin infection
- Pimples that feel painful, contain pus, or go deep into your skin
- Taking isotretinoin, a medication that treats severe acne
Before your provider will treat you with microneedling, you must wait until your sunburn, infection, or pimples have cleared. If you are taking isotretinoin, at least one month must have passed since you took your last pill.