If the idea of poking thousands of tiny holes into your face in the name of beauty sounds intriguing, microneedling just might be the skin-rejuvenating procedure for you. Praised by celebrities and beauty enthusiasts alike, microneedling involves using a roller studded with acupuncture-sized needles to create microscopic punctures in your face. These surface-level wounds allow skincare products to deeply penetrate your skin, increase collagen production, and plump your face for weeks after the procedure. Microneedling is effective in treating fine lines and wrinkles, minor acne scarring, and pigmentation issues, helping to make your skin bright and firm.

There are various sizes of dermaroller needles ranging from 0.2 to 3 millimeters. The smaller needles are good for minor issues whereas the longer needles are recommended for prominent skin problems. In the doctor's office, microneedling can cost anywhere from $100 to $700 or more per session and it is not covered by insurance. For those hesitant to pay the cost of a professional microneedling session, at-home skin rollers are available. These rollers are more comfortable and cost-effective but they don't puncture the skin as deeply as professional microneedling, thereby resulting in less significant results. There also may be a greater risk of infection and scarring using at-home rollers.

What Does Science Say About Microneedling?

Research has shown that microneedling is an effective way to achieve smoother, more radiant skin. A recent study concluded that microneedling has the potential to treat skin conditions including scarring, pigment disorders, and premalignant lesions. It was found to be well-tolerated and safe with few adverse reactions. Another study showed that skin that underwent four microneedling sessions one month apart had a 400% increase in collagen for six months after the treatment, helping to improve facial skin elasticity.

Microneedling has also been shown to work well with other skin treatments to maximize the results you receive. Research has shown that microneedling can help topical medications penetrate the skin more effectively, allowing you to gain additional benefits from the products. After a professional microneedling session, doctors frequently apply a gentle but powerful serum to the face, usually containing hyaluronic acid, because it can penetrate easily through the needle punctures to help build collagen.

Although microneedling is generally safe, doing it too often can lead to broken capillaries so it's important to limit your sessions to once a month to allow for a full recovery. Women who are pregnant or anyone with rosacea, eczema, and severe acne should avoid trying at-home rolling because it may cause flare-ups.

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