What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive treatment that uses tiny, sterile needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These microscopic punctures trigger the body’s natural wound healing response, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for skin’s firmness, smoothness, and youthful appearance.

As the skin heals from these micro-injuries, it remodels itself, resulting in improved texture, reduced scarring, diminished fine lines, and an overall rejuvenated appearance. Unlike more aggressive treatments, microneedling works with your body’s natural processes to create gradual, natural-looking improvement.

Professional microneedling devices use medical-grade needles with adjustable depths, allowing Dr. Daoud to customize treatment based on your specific concerns and the area being treated. This precision distinguishes professional treatments from at-home devices and delivers superior results.

How Does Microneedling Work?

The science behind microneedling is elegantly simple: controlled injury leads to controlled healing.

When the microneedling device creates tiny punctures in the skin, your body perceives these as minor injuries and activates its healing cascade. This process involves three phases.

Inflammation Phase

Immediately after treatment, the immune system responds to the micro-injuries, increasing blood flow to the area and initiating the healing process.

Proliferation Phase

Over the following days, the body produces new collagen and elastin to repair the treated area. New blood vessels form, improving circulation and skin health.

Remodeling Phase

Over weeks to months, the new collagen matures and reorganizes, resulting in firmer, smoother skin with improved texture and tone.

This natural regeneration process explains why microneedling results develop gradually and continue improving for several months after treatment.

What Can Microneedling Treat?

Microneedling effectively addresses a wide range of skin concerns.

Acne Scars

One of microneedling’s most impressive applications is treating acne scars. The collagen remodeling process can significantly improve the appearance of atrophic (depressed) acne scars, including ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars. Multiple treatments typically provide cumulative improvement.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

By stimulating collagen production, microneedling can soften fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes, mouth, and forehead. While it won’t eliminate deep wrinkles, it can meaningfully improve early signs of aging.

Skin Texture

Rough, uneven skin texture responds well to microneedling. The treatment creates smoother, more refined skin as new collagen replaces damaged tissue.

Enlarged Pores

While microneedling can’t change actual pore size (which is genetically determined), it can minimize the appearance of enlarged pores by improving surrounding skin texture and firmness.

Hyperpigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone

Microneedling can improve mild hyperpigmentation and sun damage by promoting cell turnover and even distribution of melanin. For significant pigmentation concerns, it may be combined with other treatments.

Stretch Marks

The collagen-stimulating effects of microneedling can improve the appearance of stretch marks, though multiple treatments are typically needed.

Dull, Tired-Looking Skin

Even without specific concerns, microneedling can refresh and revitalize dull skin, restoring a healthy, youthful glow.

Mild Surgical or Traumatic Scars

Microneedling can improve the appearance of various types of scars by breaking down old scar tissue and stimulating new collagen formation.

The Microneedling Treatment Experience

Your Consultation

Your microneedling journey begins with a consultation with Dr. Daoud. She’ll examine your skin, discuss your concerns and goals, and determine whether microneedling is the right treatment for you. She’ll explain what results you can expect and how many treatments you may need.

Preparing for Treatment

Before your appointment, you’ll receive instructions to prepare your skin. Avoid retinoids and exfoliating acids for several days before treatment. Stay out of the sun and avoid tanning. Discontinue any blood-thinning supplements (with your doctor’s approval). Come to your appointment with clean, makeup-free skin.

During Treatment

On treatment day, your skin will be thoroughly cleansed, and a topical numbing cream will be applied. You’ll relax for 30 to 45 minutes while the numbing takes effect.

Once your skin is numb, Dr. Daoud will perform the microneedling treatment using a professional-grade device. The device is passed over your skin in multiple directions, creating thousands of tiny channels. Treatment typically takes 20 to 30 minutes for the face.

Most patients describe the sensation as mild prickling or vibration—much more comfortable than it sounds, especially with numbing cream. You may feel more sensitivity in certain areas, particularly around bony prominences.

A serum or other treatment product may be applied during or immediately after microneedling. The microchannels created by the needles allow enhanced absorption of these products, boosting their effectiveness.

After Treatment

Immediately after microneedling, your skin will be red, similar to a moderate sunburn. You may experience slight swelling and warmth. These effects are normal and typically subside within one to three days.

Dr. Daoud will provide specific aftercare instructions. Keep your skin clean and moisturized. Avoid makeup for 24 hours. Stay out of the sun and use sunscreen diligently. Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas for a few days. Don’t use active skincare ingredients (retinoids, acids, vitamin C) until your skin has healed, typically three to five days. Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 to 48 hours.

Over the following days, your skin may feel dry or tight and may flake slightly as it heals. This is normal and part of the renewal process.

Microneedling with PRP

For enhanced results, microneedling can be combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—a treatment sometimes called a “vampire facial.”

PRP is derived from your own blood. A small amount of blood is drawn and processed to concentrate the platelets, which contain growth factors that promote healing and tissue regeneration.

When PRP is applied to the skin during or after microneedling, the microchannels allow the growth factors to penetrate deeper into the skin, potentially enhancing collagen production and accelerating healing. Many patients notice improved results with PRP compared to microneedling alone.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments depends on your specific concerns and goals.

For general skin rejuvenation and maintenance, three to four treatments spaced four to six weeks apart typically produce excellent results.

For acne scars or more significant concerns, four to six treatments (or more) may be recommended for optimal improvement.

Results develop gradually over weeks to months as collagen remodeling continues. Many patients see noticeable improvement after just one treatment, with continued enhancement after each subsequent session.

After completing your initial series, periodic maintenance treatments (every six to twelve months) can help maintain results.

When Will I See Results?

You’ll notice some immediate effects after microneedling—your skin may appear plumper and more radiant once the initial redness subsides. However, the most significant results develop over time as new collagen forms.

Most patients notice meaningful improvement within two to four weeks after treatment. Collagen remodeling continues for several months, so results continue improving even between treatments.

For concerns like acne scars, patience is important. Significant improvement often requires multiple treatments over several months, but the results are worth the wait.

Is Microneedling Safe?

When performed by a qualified provider like Dr. Daoud, microneedling is very safe. The treatment has an excellent safety profile with minimal risk of serious complications.

Common side effects are temporary and expected, including redness (like a sunburn) lasting one to three days, mild swelling, skin tightness or dryness, and minor flaking or peeling.

Rare side effects can include prolonged redness, infection (rare with proper technique and aftercare), hyperpigmentation (more common in darker skin tones if post-treatment sun exposure occurs), and scarring (extremely rare).

Dr. Daoud will discuss your specific risk factors and take appropriate precautions based on your skin type and concerns.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Microneedling?

Microneedling is appropriate for most people seeking skin rejuvenation. Good candidates have acne scars, fine lines, or uneven texture they want to improve, want to enhance overall skin quality, have realistic expectations, and can commit to proper aftercare.

Microneedling may not be appropriate for people with active acne or skin infections, certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis in the treatment area, a history of keloid scarring, those currently using isotretinoin (Accutane), and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

During your consultation, Dr. Daoud will assess your candidacy and discuss whether microneedling is right for you.

Professional vs. At-Home Microneedling

At-home microneedling devices (derma rollers) have become popular, but they differ significantly from professional treatments.

Professional devices use longer needles (0.5mm to 2.5mm+), adjusted based on treatment area and concerns. At-home devices use much shorter needles (typically 0.25mm or less) and cannot reach the depths needed for significant collagen stimulation.

Professional treatments are performed under sterile conditions with medical-grade equipment. At-home devices carry higher infection risk with repeated use.

For meaningful improvement in acne scars, wrinkles, and other concerns, professional microneedling is far more effective. At-home devices may provide mild surface exfoliation but cannot replicate professional results.

Schedule Your Microneedling Consultation Today

Ready to reveal smoother, more youthful skin? Dr. Shaza Daoud and the team at Glo Dermatology are here to help you achieve your skin goals with professional microneedling tailored to your needs.

Contact our Parma office today at (216) 351-7700 to schedule your consultation. We welcome patients from throughout Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, including Parma Heights, Brooklyn, Seven Hills, Independence, Middleburg Heights, and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Microneedling

Does microneedling hurt?

With topical numbing cream applied before treatment, most patients find microneedling very tolerable. You’ll feel a prickling or vibrating sensation, but significant pain is uncommon. Some areas (near the nose or forehead) may be slightly more sensitive.

How long is the recovery?

Most patients experience redness for one to three days, similar to a sunburn. You can typically return to normal activities the next day, though you’ll want to avoid makeup for 24 hours and sun exposure for several days.

Can microneedling make scars worse?

When performed correctly by an experienced provider, microneedling improves scars rather than worsening them. However, treatment is not recommended for those with keloid-prone skin, as any skin injury can potentially trigger keloid formation in susceptible individuals.

How is microneedling different from laser treatments?

Both stimulate collagen production, but they work differently. Microneedling creates physical micro-injuries, while lasers use light energy. Microneedling has less downtime and is safe for all skin tones. Lasers may provide more dramatic results for certain concerns but carry higher risks for darker skin.

Can I wear makeup after microneedling?

Avoid makeup for at least 24 hours after treatment to allow your skin to heal and prevent introducing bacteria into the open microchannels.

How often can I get microneedling?

Treatments are typically spaced four to six weeks apart to allow time for collagen remodeling between sessions. After completing an initial series, maintenance treatments every six to twelve months can help maintain results.