What Is Microneedling and Is It Right for Your Skin Goals?

Microneedling is an incredibly valuable service to add to a skincare treatment plan for the right client. It stimulates collagen and provides a gorgeous glow, and we think it might just be your new favorite treatment! We sat down with one of our estheticians here at Coco Med Spa, Alyssa, to get her insights on the treatment as well. Keep reading to learn more about why you may want to ask us about including microneedling in your skincare treatment plan. 

The basics of microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive skincare treatment that uses very fine needles to create small “micro injuries” across the treatment area. Why would someone purposely “injure” their skin, you ask? One word: collagen. Creating small, controlled injuries begins a process called collagen induction, which triggers the skin's natural healing response, causing it to produce more of its own collagen and elastin after treatment. The result? Reduced scarring, smoothed fine lines, and increased firmness and radiance. 

You may wonder, what is the difference between microneedling and other treatments like a facial or a chemical peel? Great question! All of these treatments have their place in a healthy skincare treatment plan. Sometimes, they can even be combined. Microneedling plays well with both facials and chemical peels, meaning the right clients can have both services in one appointment. Facials keep the skin healthy, the pores clear and happy, and deliver personalized treatments through masks and serums. Similar to microneedling, chemical peels can stimulate collagen production, but they also offer deep exfoliation. 

Here’s what Alyssa had to say about it:

Q: Can microneedling be combined with other treatments for better results?

A: Yes, absolutely. I love pairing microneedling with a light chemical peel or PRX, especially for a client whose main concerns are pigmentation, tone, and aging. The right combination often produces better results than a single treatment alone.

What does microneedling treat?

Microneedling can tackle several skin concerns by itself, and in combination with other treatments. It’s most commonly known for improving texture concerns. This can include acne scarring, fine lines, and other inconsistencies across the surface of the skin. 

For most concerns, including acne scarring, several consistent sessions may be necessary to see dramatic improvement. Microneedling is best for individuals with mild to moderate concerns. Those with very heavy scarring may be referred to a different service for more improvement. 

Microneedling is also a great option for individuals with hyperpigmentation because it encourages the skin to renew and produce healthy, rejuvenated skin cells. 

When we spoke with Alyssa about this, this is what she shared:

Q: In your experience, which concern responds best to microneedling (acne scars, texture, tone, or pores) and what results do you realistically see over a series of sessions? Please also share a specific example of a client case, if possible.

A: When done in a series (3-6 sessions), one of the biggest improvements I see is in overall skin texture and collagen production. The fine lines soften, acne scars become less noticeable, pores appear smaller, and overall the skin looks healthier. One of my loyal clients stands out.  She expressed that she now feels comfortable enough to wear V-necks again. Her texture and crepey appearance had improved so much that she came to me with happy tears. I’ve also had clients express that they feel years younger because they notice smoother, brighter skin. Seeing that confidence come back is my favorite part.

Is microneedling right for me?

At Coco Med Spa, all of our treatments are customized to the individual client each time they visit us. We’ll discuss your skincare needs and concerns in a consultation to determine the right treatment recommendations. Many clients are great candidates for microneedling, which is why it’s such a popular choice. It’s safe for clients with deeper skin tones and clients with all skin types, like oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. Clients with very acne-prone skin should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on how compromised their skin barrier is and how many active breakouts they have at the time.

Alyssa shared with us the one instance where she might turn a client away from microneedling toward a different service: 

Q: Who do you turn away or ask to hold off on microneedling services? Please also share a specific example of a client case, if possible.

A: Rarely do I have this happen, but at times I’ve had clients have an extremely compromised barrier, and I’ll suggest we start repairing their barrier before introducing microneedling for the best results. If someone has active inflammation, sunburn, or extremely bad acne, then we will hold off and treat these concerns before doing microneedling. Also, for any clients who have used retinol in the previous 3 days, I will suggest we hold off. I always recommend stopping any actives and retinols 3-5 days prior to help minimize irritation.

What to expect from a microneedling treatment

Many people hear “needle” and immediately wonder if microneedling hurts. While everyone has a different pain tolerance, most people find it only mildly uncomfortable and very manageable. After treatment, you will likely experience redness and a warm, tingly feeling like a sunburn. As far as recovery goes, initial swelling and redness should subside within about 48 hours. Any additional sensitivity or peeling may occur over the next few days, but within 5-7 days your skin should be recovered and looking radiant! For faster healing, ask us about adding exosomes to your next microneedling session and read more here about why: Why Microneedling + Exosome Infusion Is the New Gold Standard for Texture & Pigment.

For best results, clients should expect to need 3-6 sessions depending on their specific skincare concerns. Success also depends on consistency with daily skincare maintenance and daily use of sunscreen. 

How to get the most out of microneedling

For an enhanced microneedling experience, you can include add-ons like exosomes for faster healing, PRP (also known as the vampire facial) for growth factors made from your own body, or layer a secondary treatment like a facial or chemical peel in with your microneedling service. Your provider will discuss your options with you!

If you’re ready to give microneedling a try at Coco Med Spa in St. Pete, we’re ready for you! Contact us to book an appointment today.