These fine lines and wrinkles have to go. But it's my acne scarring that I really need help with. I've always hated the texture of my skin and I found the treatment that is going to really make a difference. So what the heck is microneedling? Is it right for you? And how do you prepare?
As a CosmetiCare ambassador, I receive treatments and share the experience with you. I am not paying for these treatments and will share the good (awesome results), the bad and the ugly (yup, you'll see pictures of recovery) as I experience it.
A Microneedling Facial Treatment to Smooth My Skin
When I started working with CosmetiCare, and found out that they offered microneedling, I was all in!
My trouble with acne started in my college years. I'm grateful that I didn't have the cystic acne that my sister had growing up, but I was left with scarring which has always bothered me. 
Most of the time, I do whatever I can to hide my face in photos. This photo was before my experience with Botox! Forehead lines, ugh. (Turns out I LOVE Botox). I rarely take selfies because you can see way too much of my skin texture.
If I am going to post a photo of myself it depends mostly on the lighting. I don't like to use filters to even my skin, so if there is harsh lighting, which doesn't do my skin justice, I generally won't post it.
What is Microneedling?
A microneedling facial treatment is a great non-surgical option for skin tightening and reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars and other skin traumas.
A small device, with a tip holding 11 tiny needles, is used to create small punctures in the skin. This encourages collagen re-growth. The stamp-like motion of the device helps to break up the fibers and uneven scar tissue helping the skin to look smoother.
What is so cool about the microneedling is that it takes advantage of the body's own powerful growth factors which stimulate healing and rejuvenation.
The best results are seen after multiple treatments, done over the course of several months. This is not a fast fix as it will take up to 6 months to see the full results.
Microneedling compliments other skin treatments, like chemical peels and laser treatments, as well.
Microneedling in Orange County, CA
I know not all of my readers are local to this area, but if you do live in Southern California, you should check out CosmetiCare. They are based in Newport Beach, CA right on the bay. They have the best views from the waiting room. It's a great way to ease into your treatment if you've come with any nerves.
This is where I have had all 3 of my treatments done and have a few friends that have had them done here as well. They are professional and so knowledgable about all these treatments and also skin health.
The best microneedling near me is definitely in Newport Beach at CosmetiCare. Check them out!
Microneedling: Nurse or Aesthetician?
CosmetiCare offers several options for microneedling facial treatments. Since my scarring is pretty pronounced, I'll be doing a few treatments with a nurse, who is able to go deeper into the skin for better results.
An aesthetician can also do the procedure, at a more surface level, for cases that aren't as severe.
There are also at-home, rolling devices that can be purchased. But I would not recommend those unless you have a background in skincare. Making micro-injuries seems advanced and I wouldn't want to take that into my own hands.
Why do PRP with Microneedling?
My first treatment will also include PRP therapy, which is where they will use my own plasma, along with microneedling to stimulate my collagen even more. Yikes, right?
It's also sometimes known as the Vampire Facial (you know, because of the blood).
How Much Does Microneedling Cost?
The cost varies, depending on several factors but is in the ballpark of $800 per treatment. I suggest scheduling a consultation appointment with CosmetiCare to see what your own treatment plan would look like.
This specific treatment was one of the reasons I was so excited to become an ambassador with CosmetiCare! I've heard great things about this procedure and think it's really going to help my skin.
Microneedling: Step by Step
How to Prep Your Skin Leading up to the Treatment
Skin preparation is dependent mostly on age. Since I am in my 40's I was instructed to stop using anything with acids (that you typically find in wrinkle creams and acne products) for about a week prior.
The Microneedling Appointment
Numbing
As there are needles involved, you must arrive to the office 45 minutes early to have a numbing gel applied. If doing the PRP therapy, they will also draw blood when you first arrive so that the plasma can be separated out.
The Procedure
When the skin is sufficiently numb, the skin is cleaned off and you are ready to begin. A serum is applied to the skin to make sure the needles can slide across the skin.
The serum also helps skin to heal faster.
The microneedling takes about 45 minutes depending on the size of the area being done (I'm doing my whole face).
What Happens After Microneedling?
Is There Downtime?
The recovery time depends on which type of treatment you do. When you have an appointment with a nurse, the needles go a little deeper into the skin, and leave you with about 5 days of “downtime.”
There is a little bit of redness immediately following, and potentially the next day, followed by a few days of peeling. Downtime after a session with an aesthetician is closer to 3 days as the micro-injuries aren't as severe.
You can see from the video below my face was RED when the procedure was over. You will want to go straight home if at all possible. My youngest son cried when he saw me. It was my first major skin treatment and he thought it looked painful. It's that red.
What Does the Healing Process Look Like?
On the day of my procedure, my skin was REALLY red and felt hot. I was not in pain, there was just a mild discomfort.
The next day, my skin began to feel like it was starting to dry out a bit. The peeling started and my skin felt itchy.
The major peeling happened on day 2-3 and by day 4 was almost all done. I could have worn makeup starting around day 3 but wanted to keep my skin as clean as possible as long as I could.
By day 5, I just had a few places with a bit of redness and almost no peeling. I could wear makeup and it looked almost completely normal.
How to Care for Your Skin After
It's important to keep your skin hydrated while healing. Your technician may suggest specific products to use at home in the days following.
My skin is very sensitive so I worked with them to find something that would help my skin heal and not cause more breakouts.
I made sure to keep my skin clean and pat my face dry. It's a pretty simple routine that didn't require elaborate steps or anything.
It's important to wear SPF (after day 4) as your skin can be very sensitive to light.
Does It Hurt?
Yes. I don't want to gloss over this part. If done with an aesthetician at a more surface level, the pain shouldn't be too great. With a nurse, you go deeper into the skin, and it will probably hurt a little more.
For my personal experience, my first treatment was totally tolerable. It was uncomfortable at times but fine. My second time, however, was excruciating. Turns out you can feel pain more if you are near or on your period. WHO KNEW!
For my 3rd and final treatment, I made sure to schedule it around that time of the month. It was better but still a bit painful.
How Long do the Results Last?
This is a loaded question. The results are based on factors, like age, skin issues you are trying to treat and an individual's skin health.
They say treatment results aren't permanent but I think my skin looks amazing still and it's a few years since I've done the treatments.
It takes a few weeks to see the results after your treatment. And your skin will look the best for the next few months with all that new plump collagen. I notice that, even now, my skin looks the best if I stay really hydrated by drinking tons of water and also using a great skin care routine.
I've seen reports of people doing follow up treatments about once a year after their initial treatments. I haven't done that and I still love my results.
Watch this Video of My Microneedling Treatment!
More microneedling posts to check out
More treatments with CosmetiCare
- My First Botox Treatment
- Becoming a CosmetiCare Ambassador
- I got Under Eye Fillers to Help Make me Look Younger
- I LOVED my Laser Skin Treatment
- What is Coolsculpting
Use the code above to get 10% off any of the treatments I've done at CosmetiCare! Includes Botox, Restylane, Coolsculpting, Microneedling and CO2 Laser Treatments.
Pin This Microneedling Info for Later
What is microneedling? It's a great way to help smooth out the texture of your skin and diminish fine lines and wrinkles! Have you tried it?
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