Published on February 14, 2023
In general, microneedling is a safe way to get smoother, younger-looking skin. But doing microneedling too often may damage your skin.
So how often should you microneedle?
Ideally, microneedling should be done once every 4 to 6 weeks for 3 to 6 months. However, the ideal frequency varies for each individual. Various factors, like your skin type and sensitivity, can affect how often you should do microneedling.
Some people might do well with having microneedling done every other week. But others may need more time to recover before the next microneedling session.
To help you figure out how often you should do microneedling, you first need to understand how it works.
How Does Microneedling Work?
Have you noticed that when a wound heals, the new skin that forms over it is much smoother? That’s how microneedling works too.
As the name suggests, microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that uses very tiny needles to prick the skin. This process creates very tiny wounds. To heal these wounds, the body will produce more collagen and elastin.
If you didn’t know, collagen and elastin are proteins that give our skin its structure and elasticity. When your body produces more of them, your skin will be stronger and more elastic. This reduces fine lines and wrinkles, lightens dark spots, gets rid of acne, and makes scars less prominent.
To achieve your desired results, you need to repeat the process multiple times. However, you need to allow your skin to heal before prickling it again. This is why you need to plan your microneedling treatments carefully. Otherwise, the wounds won’t heal properly, leading to more skin damage.
How Often Should You Do Microneedling?
As I said, the ideal microneedling frequency varies for each person. Some of the factors that can affect your microneedling needs are:
1. Your skin concerns
Some types of skin conditions make your skin more sensitive. This can affect your skin’s recovery process as well as how often you can do microneedling.
For instance, if you have a severe case of acne, your skin may take longer to recover after a microneedling session. As such, you need to space out your microneedling sessions farther apart to allow your skin to heal.
2. Your age
As we age, our body produces less collagen and elastin. This can also slow down your skin’s recovery time. That’s why older patients tend to need less frequent microneedling sessions than their younger counterparts.
3. The type of microneedling used
There are different types of microneedling. Each one affects your skin’s healing time in different ways.
For instance, the classic microneedling procedure only punctures the skin. So it relies on your body’s natural healing process to take care of the rest. Typically, this can last about a month or more.
But other types of microneedling, like the “vampire treatment” (microneedling + PRP), boost your skin’s collagen production even faster. As such, the recovery time would be shorter.
What Happens If You Microneedle Too Often?
As mentioned, too much microneedling can cause skin damage. Depending on how much you “abused” the procedure, it can cause:
- redness
- irritation
- skin dryness
- bruising
- acne breakouts
- inflammations
- hyperpigmentation
Microneedling too often can also delay your skin’s healing time. Remember that the procedure involves prickling your skin with needles. If you constantly “wound” it, the skin will take a longer time to heal after every session.
In addition, not allowing your skin to fully heal exposes it to infections. When your skin is in healing mode, it will have a hard time fighting germs and bacteria, making it easy to irritate.
Experience Boca’s Favorite Med Spa
Aesthet House Med Spa is Boca Raton’s favorite source for advanced beauty treatments like microneedling, facials, dermal fillers, and more. Our services help you achieve a youthful and natural look. Treat wrinkles and dark spots with the latest advancements in beauty treatments. Our licensed staff are vetted and trained for your guaranteed satisfaction. Contact us to request a free in-person consultation today.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio has been writing about health and beauty topics for years. As an experienced writer, she makes sure to only use information from reputable sources and peer-reviewed studies. Her writing has also appeared on various US-based sites.
