When I first began looking into microneedling, I had some of the same questions you likely have. The one I kept going back to before attending my consultation at the clinic was how long the results would last, and how many treatments I would need to keep those results.
I soon learned that there is no set time frame. Being a living tissue, skin is constantly changing, and every person’s skin is different. Your age, skin type, the areas being treated, and the conditions you are treating for, will determine how long your individual results will last.
That said, based on my own experiences and what I learned in my own research, I should be able to give you a rough idea of what to expect.
Understand What Microneedling Is
Before I go into how long your own personal results may last, let me explain a little bit about what microneedling is.
Also called Collagen Induction Therapy, microneedling is used to correct a large variety of skin issues, including acne, acne scars, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, pore size, loose skin, and various other blemishes. It does this by creating hundreds of tiny micro-injuries to the topmost layer of skin on your face.
This kicks your body’s natural healing process into gear, forcing it to produce more collagen and elastin. Since it is a very gentle procedure, causing very little swelling, redness, and little to no bruising, it is a great method for correcting skin issues without causing further damage to your skin. That said, it will need to be repeated on a regular basis to maximize the effects.
Notable effects and benefits of microneedling include:
- Improving skin tone
- Eliminating acne or acne scars (the more acne and scars, the more treatments needed)
- Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
- Decreasing hair loss (or stimulating growth)
- Evening out stretch marks or other scars
- Tightening loose skin
If you are worried about any pain, I assure you that microneedling does not hurt. The clinician performing your treatment will use a numbing gel on your face to limit discomfort, but you may still feel some tingling. Afterwards, the skin may feel sore, but it will feel no worse than a mild sunburn.
Expect Initial Results Within a Week
Some people (myself included) have reported seeing initial results just a week after their first treatment. These initial results may be skin tone evening up, reduced pore visibility, or a small reduction in the visibility of acne.
However, do not get discouraged if that is not the case for you. Every person’s skin is different, and some will heal faster than others. Also, depending on the severity of your issues, you may not see results until you have received two or three treatments.
After your first treatment, you will receive a list of post-treatment instructions to follow. I cannot stress enough that you should follow these instructions(!), as they are designed to help your skin heal so that you can get the results you wanted from the treatment.
Expect Long-term Treatment for Long-term Results
The effects of the initial round of microneedling treatments last on average between four to six weeks, for most people. That said, the amount of treatments and exact time frame will depend on your issues, age, skin type, and how your skin responds to the treatment.
However long your individual results last, the effects of microneedling are not permanent, so you will need to continue taking treatments in order to maintain those effects. Once maximum results have been reached, your clinician will start scheduling maintenance treatments, which may be anywhere between six to twelve months apart. I have heard of some people going as long as 18 months between treatments.
For myself, I was specifically treating my acne and minimal scarring, so I only needed three treatments initially and was able to go six weeks between treatments. Not only did it clear up my acne, but the treatments have greatly improved the overall tone and texture on my face. Now I only need to get treatments twice a year.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Microneedling is the most effective facial treatment I have tried and is the only one that gives me the results I need. It is minimally invasive and has very little downtime. The best part? There are no chemicals used, as it all relies on your body’s natural healing abilities.
When you feel ready, I encourage you to contact the Fairfax Botox Clinic, Elume Medspa, in Fairfax, VA. This is where I go for my treatments and I can’t recommend them enough! I was nervous at first, but they are easy to work with and only want what is best for you.
Schedule a consultation today to discuss your skin’s needs with a licensed skin care professional. Based on the factors I mentioned earlier (age, skin type, etc.), they will determine how many treatments you likely need and how often you need them.
