Miconeedling claims to give you even and smooth skin, so I put it to the test!
This piece was originally published for cherie.com on 7/28/2020.
As much as I've loved skincare, I was always super skeptical about any sort of invasive procedure, even something as minimally invasive as microneedling. I think skincare should be comforting, fun, and make you feel good after! For a while I even stopped getting extractions because they are so uncomfortable, and they didn't seem worth it to me. But alas, as I get older, I've learned that a lot of things that keep us well aren't always comfortable; like working out, going to the dentist, taking supplements, and so on. There is a small amount of discomfort that has to be traded for a fabulous result.
Enter microneedling, a minimally invasive facial that promises you gorgeously smooth skin in exchange for a few minutes of discomfort... and a few days of redness. Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling does exactly what it's says; takes microscopic needles to create small punctures in your skin, therefore inducing collagen production. I decided to try this seemingly masochistic beauty treatment (because I just don't think beauty should equal pain!) for the sake of research and to help with some stubborn comodones that were haunting my face. Here's how it went...
Disclaimer: If you're interested in this treatment, please do your research! This post is simply to share my experience and thoughts on microneedling.
First things first: how microneedling works
When our skin is damaged, our body sends collagen to repair it. Collagen is responsible for binding skin cells, and making it look plump and healthy. Microneedling creates very minimal damage; the microleasions made by microneedling are invasive enough to induce collagen, but not enough to create any lasting damage. The tears are so minimal they heal in a few days. Some benefits to microneedling include the fading of acne scars, smoother skin texture, reduction of fine lines, and more.
My understanding of microneedling is basic—you essentially "injure" yourself to heal and reveal better skin. If you'd like to learn more, I recommend doing thorough research from the links below!
Microneedling 101 - Warren dermatology
Microneedling 101 - Smooth Skin Centers
At Home vs. Professional
Don't do microneedling at home. That's totally my opinion, and this is always your choice, but any procedure that is even a tad invasive, should be better left to professionals. Again, you are intentionally injuring yourself and creating open wounds on your face, so that alone should convince you that this needs to be done by a pro.
Besides being cleaner and safer when done by a professional, the devices a licensed esthetician or nurse would use on your skin is going to be 1000x BETTER than the rolling microneedlers. For one, professional microneedling pens directly puncture your skin in an up and down motion where as at-home rollers drag along your skin, which can create trenches that can take longer to heal.
Microneedling is, again, a minimally invasive—BUT STILL INVASIVE—procedure that requires thought and investment.
The Experience
I should preface this by letting you all know that microneedling isn't a comfortable experience! I started off with a nice facial cleanse and massage by my esthetician, followed by an application of numbing cream. I lay dormant for about 20 minutes in order for the numbing cream to kick in, and once it did, a nurse changed places with the esthetician to operate the microneedling pen.
I can only describe the sensation as being snapped by multiple rubber bands at once, on my face. It is not comfortable, even with the numbing cream! I can't imagine how painful it would be without it. The microneedling takes no more than 15 minutes, and by the end of it my skin was RED and BLOODY. After the procedure, the nurse cleansed my face and allowed it to dry out for a few minutes. Next, she applied a cooling clay mask—this was crucial because my oh my, my skin was on fire! After the cooling mask, I laid under an LED light which was meant to kill any bacteria and leave my vulnerable skin, safe
The appointment took 1 hour total, and I left with my face feeling taught and sensitive.
Waiting for the numbing cream to kick in.
The Aftercare
This is important: for 24 hours after the procedure, I could not wet my face or apply any product. Keeping my skin free and away from potential infection is the main goal. So, for 24 hours, I didn't do a thing! Stayed home, stayed clean, and let myself heal.
After the 24 hours, I took on a very gentle regimen for 7 days; mild cleanser, rose water as toner, and a simple moisturizer.
My skin was red for about 7 days, with days 2 and 3 being dry and flakey.
Is It Worth It?
At first, I really regretted doing this. Like I said, it's not comfortable! But, once I saw my skin healing, I knew I would do this again. At the end of 7 days, when all the dryness and flakiness weny away, my skin was GLOWING. The stubborn comedones I couldn't get rid of for months had gone down by half, and as I type this almost 2 weeks from my procedure, they went down even more! For me, it made all of this worth it.