From trying different kinds of products to going for all the different types of therapies, we spend a lot of bucks – to get that glow.
There is ongoing research in the beauty community to receive the best for our skin, and our awareness grows. We know what is good for our skin and what is not.
Lately, microneedling is receiving much hype, but the question is – does microneedling work? Research is going on whether or not it is effective, so we will answer your question once and for all!
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What is Microneedling or Collagen Induction Therapy?
Microneedling is a procedure that increases the growth of collagen in the skin. The procedure is also called Collagen Induction Therapy or CIT since it induces the skin to produce fresh collagen.
Basically, microneedling is a derma-rolling procedure that contains tiny needles. The purpose of these needles is to puncture your skin.
Yes, that is quite true; this process contains puncturing the skin of your face. It sounds bizarre and painful, and it is also quite painful because you literally prick your skin.
You might be wondering how pricking your skin can make your skin healthy and glowing, apart from making your face bleed and leave with bruises.
The science of microneedling is that it stimulates new collagen and skin tissues when you prick your skin. The collagen will layer a new skin, which will be healthier and glowing because it is new, of course. The new skin tissues will give a smoother and firm tone to the skin.
Microneedling or Collagen Induction Therapy specifically targets your face, but you can also use it on other body parts. This treatment also helps with scars, wrinkles, pimples and acne marks, large pores, etc.
The process of microneedling is not a new thing. It was practiced in ancient China but has now been popularized via various social networks like Youtube and Instagram and has also been made available in the form of a device known as a derma roller or a microneedling pen. These derma rollers have micro-fine needles, the length of which can differ from 0.5 to 2.5 millimeters.
These needles only enter up to the surface level of your skin. So when used generously, it does not harm your skin and does not cause any bruises as well. This procedure breaks down old tissues and triggers new elastin and collagen production for healthier and glowing-looking skin.
What does Microneedling do?
Studies say that microneedling has the following benefits:
- Increases the blood flow or circulation due to the pricking, and therefore the skin looks plumped up and glowing.
- Helps with early signs of aging by preventing wrinkles and fine lines and removes the already present wrinkles and fine lines by forming a new skin layer.
- Helps with cellulite and the appearance of stretch marks.
- Can also boost hair growth, which means that you can also use it on your scalp. It will boost up the dormant hair follicles.
Does it work for hair growth?
Microneedling has gained so much limelight in recent years that there have been discussions about its effectiveness on hair loss. Due to pollution and the products we often use on our hair, we tend to damage our hair.
Nowadays, people do not have enough time to take much care of hair like regular oiling and apply products containing harmful chemicals.
Heat appliances also tend to damage our hair and hair follicles. Eventually, we face more hair loss and less growth because our hair follicles become dormant.
Microneedling, with its needles, activates these dormant hair follicles. Also, when performed with minoxidil, the procedure promotes hair growth.
One thing to keep in mind is that it can only work within a limit. This therapy will not work after a certain age.
If the hair loss is caused due to hereditary reasons or because of some serious issue that has permanently made the follicles dormant, it will not work in those cases.
Does it work for old stretch marks?
Stretch marks are caused when the skin is stretched out of its limit. In our lifetime, our skin transforms many times, we lose weight, we gain weight, and all these transformations lead to stretch marks.
There are two types of stretch marks, old and new. New stretch marks are not that stubborn and are usually pink or purple in color, while the old stretch marks are very stubborn and are also white in color.
There are mixed reviews about the effectiveness of microneedling on stretch marks, but it all depends on the procedure and your skin.
Stretch marks are deeply rooted inside the skin. Therefore derma rollers with longer needles are required as they will penetrate deep into the skin and boost collagen production. During initial use itself, you will feel your skin be toned up.
It is recommended to use stretch marks-reducing oils soon after the process as they will get deeper and quickly absorbed. It will work better on the new marks, but you might see mixed results for older ones.
Does it work for aging skin?
Wrinkles are the most prominent sign of aging skin. It is a natural process, and everyone has to go through this after a certain time, as it is inevitable.
The only difference is that some people get the signs later than others. The reason behind this is that the former maintains healthy skin than the latter.
Talking about the effectiveness of microneedling on aging skin, derma rollers can, up to a certain limit, help with aging signs, which prominently include wrinkles and fine lines. It can certainly help with premature signs of aging by boosting collagen.
It tightens the skin, which ultimately helps in reducing sagginess, wrinkles, and fine lines. But after a certain age, the body reduces the amount of collagen production.
Does it work for active acne and scars?
Microneedling is something that has to do with puncturing your tissues. We need to understand here that when you puncture something, anything filled inside spreads around.
If we take an example of a balloon filled with water, the water comes out when you poke it with a needle. That is what happens with our skin too.
Acne is an accumulation of bacteria. When you microneedle acne-prone area of the skin, the bacteria or pus present in that area can spread to other parts, but it will work on scars left after acne. A recent study conducted by the Jordan University of Science and Technology found that microneedling can improve acne scars and the associated hyperpigmentation in the skin.
Scars are also of two types – the first is the indented scars with no heads, and microneedling can help with them by plumping them up. But the second kind of scar is the hypertrophic scar, which is in raised form and is caused due to excessive collagen. Therefore, you should never microneedle such scars. All in all, you should avoid this process for active acne.
Does it work on the pigmentation of the skin?
When there is an uneven distribution of melanin onto your skin, this causes hyperpigmentation. There have not been many studies about the effectiveness of microneedling on pigmentation issues.
Pigmentation is usually caused by sun exposure, hormonal changes, etc. It can also be caused due to the healing of a scar or acne. When a scar or acne heals, it leaves dark spots in that area.
Other serious reasons for hyperpigmentation are Acanthosis nigricans, Gougerot Blum syndrome, and Schamberg’s disease. Melasma is also a form of pigmentation.
There have been mixed reviews about microneedling’s effectiveness on hyperpigmentation. Dermatologists recommended doing a patch test along with topical anti-pigmentation cream.
Does it help in shrinking pores?
Microneedling rejuvenates the appearance of the skin. With the boost of collagen, your skin feels tighter and toned up.
When your skin gets tighter and toned, it will automatically help shrink the pores. Your skin will appear plump and not saggy.
So, microneedling does help in shrinking the pores.
Does it work on cellulite?
There is mixed evidence on the efficacy of microneedling on cellulite. Cellulite is an uneven distribution of fats, which causes bumpiness. They are stubborn and deep.
You can find cellulite in the thighs and buttocks area. Although microneedling might work for significantly lesser cellulite, it is quite a doubtful case. It will work on prominent cellulite because they are very stubborn and deeply rooted. A very long needle might work, but it can have other side effects.
How long does it take to see results from skin needling?
Microneedling is a process that takes time to show the actual results. You will require more than one session for visible results because microneedling involves puncturing the skin. It takes quite an amount of time to heal the punctured area and the formation of a new layer of skin over that area.
The process of microneedling can give you both temporary and long-run results.
In short-time results, it plumps up your skin and increases blood circulation, making it look healthier and glowing.
Its effect on long-term skin issues like wrinkles, fine lines, scars, etc., can be seen after quite some time, say a couple of months, because it requires the formation of new skin tissues, which, for obvious reasons, requires a generous amount of time.
Can I do microneedling at home?
The whole process of microneedling itself sounds so dangerous and painful that you would not think of doing it at home. But some devices can help you in doing this procedure at home.
These devices are dermapens or microneedling pens. At-home microneedling pens became famous after people realized that it is easier than you think, and they can also change your life. But it all also depends on what you are aiming at by doing this treatment.
You can microneedle for skin problems like scars, pores, and basically, anything that has to do with the face. But when you want to treat something major like cellulite and old stretch marks, we recommend you to visit a professional.
How often should I do Microneedling?
The frequency depends on the intensity of the process. If you are doing this process for something intense and deeply rooted like cellulite, old stretch marks, prominent spots, etc., you will require long needles, and for other minor treatments, you will require short needles.
The longer the needles, the more time it will take for your skin to heal and, therefore, the more gap you will have to take between sessions. Generally, you can treat less intense therapy every 2-4 weeks, and more intense ones should be repeated after 4-6 weeks.
We hope you got an answer to the question – does microneedling work?
Everyone has different skin; everyone’s skin is unique. It’s not necessary that what works for everyone can work for you. Therefore a doctor’s recommendation and a patch test are something that you should always go for before experimenting with anything new on your skin.
