Microneedling: How It Works and What to Expect
What the procedure involves
Microneedling uses fine needles to create tiny punctures in the skin, intended to trigger the body's wound-healing response and stimulate collagen production. It is sometimes combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), where a patient's own blood is processed and applied to the treated skin.
Risks and who should avoid it
Reported risks include bruising, temporary redness, scarring, infection, and pigment changes. People with active skin infections, active acne in the treatment area, or a history of keloid scarring are generally not good candidates. Devices that add heat or radiofrequency energy carry additional burn and scarring risk, and regulators have warned that radiofrequency microneedling should only be performed by an experienced, licensed provider.
| Who should be cautious | Why |
|---|---|
| Active skin infection | Risk of spreading the infection into deeper skin layers |
| Active acne in the treatment area | Can worsen inflammation and spread bacteria |
| History of keloid scarring | Higher risk of raised, excess scar tissue |
| Radiofrequency/heat-based devices | Added burn and scarring risk — needs an experienced licensed provider |
What recovery typically looks like
Mild redness and sensitivity for a few days is common after a standard session; full results, when they occur, tend to build gradually over repeated sessions rather than appearing after a single visit.
- Microneedling aims to stimulate collagen via controlled micro-injury to the skin.
- Risks include infection, scarring, and pigment changes; energy-based devices add burn risk.
- Not recommended for active skin infection, active acne, or keloid-prone skin.
- Signs of infection after a session: increasing redness, warmth, pus, or fever.
- Before treatment if you have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners.
