According to one study, almost 100 percent of microneedling participants reported a noticeable difference and 80 percent reported a vast improvement in the appearance of their acne scars after a treatment.This solid fact was all I needed to say, “Yes.” So I immediately booked my appointment for an in-office microneedling treatment.

Are you as curious as I was about microneedling? Ahead, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Bruce Katz and Dr. Sejal Shah, as well as esthetician Josie Holmes, explain everything you need to know about it, the benefits, and their thoughts on at-home vs in-office treatments.

What Is Microneedling?

“Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that uses a device with very thin, sharp needle tips to make punctures on the skin,” says Katz. “The functionality behind microneedling is that once the body feels the small pricks, it works to heal those cuts, resulting in a refreshed look; the punctures are only surface-level, so the pain is minimal.” This process works to rejuvenate your skin by boosting collagen production, which in turn reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and elevates the overall texture of your skin.

The particular microneedling treatment I underwent was done with a tool called the Vivace, a form of radiofrequency microneedling. “What excited me about the Vivace was, of course, the combination of radiofrequency and microneedling, but more so how precisely, cleanly, and deeply it could deliver both. Finally, you add in blue and red LED, and you have a trifecta of modalities to treat multiple skin concerns,” explains Gabe Lubin, founder of Cartessa Aesthetics. “Physicians can select the exact depth best for each patient’s skin type and condition and use robotic precision delivery to go as deep as 3.5 millimeters at 0.1-millimeter increments—no other device can.” Blue light is helpful for those who suffer from acne, as the light and heat target bacteria that cause breakouts.

Benefits of Microneedling

• Enhances texture of skin
• Stimulates collagen production
• Can help reduce scars and hyperpigmentation
• Can reduce the appearance of wrinkles

Patients can see improvement in mild wrinkles, acne scars, and mild skin tightening when paired with radiofrequency. Microneedling in the dermatologist’s office is also done with sharper needles, which improves the results that patients see. You can also improve the results by using a serum with the procedure; the serum will penetrate deeper in the skin for optimal results.”

“It is a collagen-stimulating treatment great for general skin rejuvenation. It treats textural issues dealing with pores, acne scars, wrinkles, tightening sagging skin, and more,” Shah explained to me while my numbing cream settled in. Then we begin the treatment.

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