Attaining a flawless complexion is not an unachievable task anymore. The beauty industry keeps coming up with new, innovative solutions for treating skin problems like fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and more.
Microneedling is one of the most popular skin enhancement procedures on the market today, and rightfully so. For a minimally invasive treatment, it is great at treating various skin conditions and targeting larger areas of the skin with extreme precision.
Read this article to find out is microneedling safe and who the treatment is best suited to.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment designed to induce skin rejuvenation by afflicting micro-sized punctures through the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin.
Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling stimulates collagen production which can significantly improve skin structure and health.
Some of the benefits of microneedling include reducing the appearance of scars, improving skin elasticity, and even stimulating hair growth.
Image source: Instagram @rejuvenate_laserskinclinic
Is Microneedling Safe?
Microneedling is safe for most people who are in overall good health and don’t have any chronic skin conditions. It doesn’t really hurt or require any downtime.
Slight redness and inflammation are to be expected right after the procedure, but generally, there are no complicated aftercare routines to follow 24 hours post-treatment.
Picking an experienced technician is crucial if you care about microneedling safety, as an improper technique from an uncertified individual can greatly damage your skin.
What Are the Risks of Microneedling?
Although generally safe, microneedling can come with several risks that can be avoided by going to a certified technician: allergies, infection, and permanent skin damage in the form of scarring. Let’s take a closer look:
Allergic reactions
Before the microneedling procedure, your tech will apply some numbing cream that will help with pain management. It is important to do a patch test beforehand if you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction.
Infection
When going to an untrained, uncertified technician, you risk developing an infection caused by improperly cleaned and sterilized equipment. Infections are also possible if the treated area gets contaminated before it heals, in which case you should contact your tech or dermatologist.
Scarring
Scarring and skin damage can happen as a result of poor technique. An inexperienced technician can penetrate the dermis layer of the skin deeper than advisable, or use a needle that isn’t suitable for the treatment.
Who Should Get Microneedling?
Microneedling is a versatile technique that can treat many different skin conditions and imperfections. If you have one or several of the following skin issues, microneedling is the treatment for you:
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Facial or body scars
- Dull skin and loss of elasticity
- Sun damage and hyperpigmentation
- Enlarged pores
- Stretch marks
- Hair loss
Image source: Instagram @microneedling_hydrafacial
Who Should Avoid Microneedling?
Microneedling is not recommended for people with chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It is also not advisable for people with active acne, lip herpes, or other forms of skin infections.
People with moderate to severe chronic diseases like blood clotting and bleeding disorders, ongoing cancer therapy, and a predisposition to keloid scarring should avoid doing this treatment.
Derma Pen vs Derma Roller – Which Is Safer?
Microneedling is a professional treatment that can be performed with a derma pen or a derma roller. In an effort to save money, some people opt for at-home derma rollers which, unlike professional microneedling, don’t puncture the skin into layers deep enough to draw blood.
Is the Derma Pen Treatment Safe?
Yes. The derma pen treatment is generally safe when performed by an experienced, certified technician. It’s not advisable to try and do it yourself, as non-expert don’t really know how to operate the machine properly and achieve a safe yet effective depth of penetration.
Still, if you go to an uncertified technician, you still risk getting an infection or an allergic reaction from the serums used during the procedure. The risk of damaging the skin tissue is lowered significantly when going to a trained professional.
Image source: Instagram @nfestetic
Is Derma Rolling Safe?
Yes. If done correctly by a trained professional, or carefully at home using high-quality products.
However, there’s still a chance of infection if your skin gets contaminated before it heals.
There’s also the risk of allergies to the serums used, but this can be prevented with a patch test before the treatment. Damaging the skin is also a risk if the same needle length is used on all areas of the skin, or when performing the treatment with aggressive strokes.
Image source: Instagram @glossbeautynz
In Conclusion
To answer the question is microneedling safe, it is important to get acquainted with the risks of the procedure.
Generally speaking, microneedling is a safe treatment when performed with properly sterilized equipment in a professional setting. It can do wonders for your complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and minimize many skin imperfections.
Venturing into microneedling treatments that are not performed in a professional setting can come with some risks. If you do decide to try at-home microblading with a derma roller or to book an appointment with an untrained technician, some of the risks you might encounter are skin infections, allergies and skin damage.
To learn more about the microneedling treatment, click here.
Cover image source: Freepik
