What is Microneedling?

MECHANISM How Does Microneedling Work?

Skin needling is a minimally invasive treatment that produces micro skin injuries using sterile, single-use needle cartridge to induce healing response and subsequent repair and rejuvenation. The healing response triggers a release of natural growth factors to remodel skin structure within epidermis and dermis, regulate skin cell activity, increase collagen and elastin production, improve overall skin quality, and enhance penetration of customised skin actives for improved treatment outcomes. Needle depth is adjusted to target skin layer where the skin issue originates, and skin actives are customised to maximise the results and influence the degree of stimulation and repair.

Microneedling Action for Skin Rejuvenation

• Multiple controlled microchannels are created across the skin surface including epidermis and dermis
• Wound healing response is triggered within the skin
• Essential growth factors and regenerative repair signals are released across all skin layers
• Within epidermis keratinocytes are remodelled and skin barrier is enhanced
• Within dermis fibroblast cells produce new collagen, elastin and other dermal components
• Damaged and aged skin cells are progressively replaced with healthier new cells leading to improved skin texture, tone, firmness and improved skin health over time.

RESULTS What Results Can I Expect from Microneedling?

Microneedling delivers progressive skin repair and rejuvenation results, including:

• Skin Texture & Tone: smoother, more even skin surface with improved overall skin quality, radiance and glow
• Pigmentation & Sun Damage: reduced uneven skin tone, colour, and post-injury pigmentation
• Redness & Skin Sensitivity: decreased diffuse redness and improved skin barrier function and resilience
• Enlarged Pores: reduced pore appearance with improved skin texture and refinement
• Fine Lines & Wrinkles: softened fine lines and wrinkles with improved skin firmness and elasticity
• Scarring: improved appearance of acne scarring, surgical scars and stretch marks with progressive skin remodelling
• Overall Skin Quality: improved overall skin health including firmness, elasticity, hydration, rejuvenation and glow

⚠️Addition of Omnilux Medical LED Light Therapy – delivered with Omnilux Revive (633nm red light) and Omnilux Plus (830nm near-infrared light) – can be added prior to microneedling to prepare the skin and enhance results, and after to accelerate healing, recovery and enhance the rejuvenation outcomes.

⚠️Addition of Microneedling Boosters like Procell Growth Factors or Rejuran further enhances regenerative outcomes, especially for more severe skin irregularities including sun-damage, wrinkles and scarring.

When Can I Expect to See Results from Microneedling?

Some clients notice initial skin improvements and glow within 1-2 weeks following microneedling.

However, the most significant improvements develop progressively over 4-8 weeks following treatment as skin remodelling continues, new collagen and elastin mature and skin quality is further improved.

⚠️Results are progressive, cumulative and individual – outcomes vary depending on skin condition, age, lifestyle, skincare routine and number of treatments received.

NORMAL RESPONSE What Does Microneedling Feel Like? Is Skin Needling Painful?

During treatment, it is normal to experience stinging and mild to moderate discomfort described as a scratching sensation across the skin surface. Discomfort levels vary between individuals and depend on many factors including skin sensitivity, skin thickness, treatment area, and needle depth.

How Does Skin Feel After Microneedling?

Following treatment, mild to moderate redness, heat sensation, sensitivity, stinging, swelling, and pinpoint bleeding in some individuals are all a normal part of the healing process. For some individuals, mild skin dryness, tightness, peeling, and skin purging or breakouts in the days following are also a normal part of repair process.

DOWNTIME What Is the Downtime After Microneedling?

Downtime is generally minimal and manageable but varies depending on the individual, skin concern treated and treatment depth and intensity.

• Pinpoint bleeding usually resolves shortly after treatment is finished
• Redness, heat sensation, sensitivity, stinging, swelling typically resolves within 1-3 days
• Skin dryness, tightness, peeling, skin purging or breakouts usually resolve within a week

RISKS What Are the Possible Side Effects of Microneedling?

⚠️Serious side effects are rare when treatment is performed by a qualified professional with appropriate technique, client assessment and aftercare.

Unlike normal post-treatment responses and downtime, side effects occur beyond the expected healing process and are uncommon. These may include prolonged skin redness and irritation, allergic reaction to skincare actives, severe cold sore or acne outbreak, post-inflammatory pigmentation, skin infection and scarring.

SUITABILITY Who Is Not Suitable for Microneedling?

Microneedling is not suitable for everyone. You may not be a candidate if any of the following apply:

• Pregnancy
• Active skin infection (bacterial or fungal or viral like cold sores or herpes) or open wounds in the treatment area
• Active skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis in the treatment area
• Severe and active acne – microneedling over inflammatory acne breakouts may spread bacteria and worsen inflammation
• Health conditions and medication that negatively affect skin healing
• Photosensitising or blood thinning medications
• History of keloid scarring
• Active cancer or history of skin cancer in the treatment area
• Undiagnosed or suspicious skin lesions and moles in the treatment area

⚠️This list is not exhaustive – a thorough consultation is required prior to treatment.

PREPARATION How Do I Prepare for Microneedling Treatment?

2-4 Weeks Before:

• Daily SPF 50+ sunscreen and prescribed skincare to optimise skin health and reduce the risk of side effects.
• Direct and prolonged sun exposure avoided – particularly during peak UV hours.
• Chemical peels or resurfacing skin treatments avoided.

1-2 Days Before:

• Alcohol avoided – increases skin sensitivity.
• Retinoids, scrubs and AHA exfoliants avoided – may increase skin sensitivity and adverse reaction risk.

On the Day:

• No makeup in the treatment area.
• All medications and medical conditions to be disclosed to ensure safe treatment.
• Antiviral medication for individuals prone to cold sores or shingles – ⚠️Consult medical doctor for appropriate guidance.

AFTERCARE What Is the Microneedling Aftercare?

1-2 Days After:

• Heat exposure avoided – strenuous exercise, saunas, and hot baths or showers.
• Makeup and touching the treatment area avoided.
• Cool packs to reduce skin sensitivity, heat and swelling.

First Week After:

• Skin kept clean with a gentle cleanser and moisturised with simple moisturiser – to reduce the risk of infection.
• Direct and prolonged sun exposure avoided – particularly during peak UV hours.
• Skin peeling or flaking allowed to resolve naturally – no picking, scratching or scrubbing.
• Retinoids, scrubs, AHA exfoliants avoided until redness has fully resolved.
• Skin treatments avoided unless advised by your clinician.

Ongoing:

• Daily SPF 50+ sunscreen and prescribed skincare continued to optimise skin health and maintain results.