Maybe you are curious about microneedling for acne scars, texture or fine lines, but the thought of tiny needles moving across your face is hard to get past. That is a fair worry, and it deserves a straight answer. Here is what microneedling feels like, how numbing works, why depth and area change the sensation, and what your skin feels like in the days after.
The short answer
- Microneedling is usually well tolerated, and a numbing cream applied first takes the edge off the pain.
- Depth matters most: very shallow settings are close to painless, and the sensation grows as the needles go deeper.
- Afterward, your skin may feel like a mild sunburn, with redness, tightness or tenderness for a few days.
- It is not for everyone: an active infection, keloid scarring, slow healing and some medicines mean waiting or choosing another option.
What microneedling feels like
Microneedling uses a pen-shaped device with very fine needles that create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. Your body's natural healing response repairs them and makes new collagen, which is why it is also called collagen induction therapy.
Some pain during treatment is expected with every microneedling device, along with redness and swelling, but how strong it feels depends on individual pain tolerance, and patients describe it differently. With numbing in place, the procedure is generally well tolerated.
Where on the face makes a difference too. The forehead and nose usually get shallower settings than acne scars on the cheeks, and shallower settings are felt less.
What microneedling treats
Microneedling works by stimulating your body to make collagen. When it is done properly, the skin heals the tiny punctures with just the right amount of new collagen, which can lead to less noticeable scars and wrinkles and a more even skin tone and texture.
Patients usually come to us with one of these skin concerns:
- Acne scars
- Stretch marks
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Large, enlarged-looking pores
- Uneven skin texture and tone
Each treatment area is handled differently, which is one reason the sensation varies from patient to patient.
Why depth and treatment area change the feeling
Needle depth is adjusted for your skin and your goal. Shallow depths of 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm are usually recommended for aging skin and wrinkles, while acne scars on the face are treated at deeper settings of up to 1.5 mm.
The deeper the needles go, the more you feel it. When the needles reach only 0.5 mm, the procedure is essentially painless, and the sensation increases as depth increases.
Near the eyes, treatment stays very shallow and is done around, but not inside, the bony rim of the eye socket. Depth in every area is set by a qualified clinician who assesses your skin thickness, because fine nerves and blood vessels run under the skin.
Depth and comfort by area
| Area or goal | Typical depth | What it means for comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Forehead | Shallow, about 0.25 to 1.0 mm | Lighter sensation at the shallow end of the range |
| Nose | Shallow, about 0.25 to 0.75 mm | Lighter sensation over a bony area |
| Around the eyes | Very shallow, about 0.25 to 0.5 mm, outside the eye socket rim | Close to painless at these depths |
| Acne scars on the cheeks | Deeper, up to about 1.5 mm | Felt the most, so full numbing time matters |
Who should not have microneedling (yet)
Microneedling is a medical procedure, and some situations mean waiting or choosing something else.
- An active skin infection, cold sore or painful, deep pimples in the area
- A history of keloids or other raised scars
- Slow or poor healing, or a weakened immune system
- Taking isotretinoin now or in the recent past
- Blood thinners, a bleeding disorder, or chemotherapy or radiation
- A recent tan or sunburn on the area
We set the depth for your skin and your goal, never deeper than it needs to be.
How to prepare for microneedling
A good result starts before the appointment. Following a skin care routine for 2 to 4 weeks before microneedling will improve your response to treatment.
- Pause retinoids. Your routine may include stopping retinol and tretinoin before treatment.
- Limit sun exposure. Come in without a recent tan or sunburn on the treatment area.
- Isotretinoin. If you take it, at least one month must have passed since your last pill.
- Tell us about numbing reactions. If you have reacted to lidocaine before, let us know so we can plan around it.
- Arrive with clean skin. No makeup on the area makes the start of your visit quicker.
The procedure: what happens during a microneedling session
Here is the process from start to finish, with each step planned to minimize discomfort. The face is cleaned and numbed before treatment, and the numbing sits on the skin for 45 minutes to an hour; topical lidocaine before microneedling helps lessen the pain.
- Consultation. We review your skin, goals and health history and decide whether microneedling fits and at what depth.
- Numbing. Your face is cleansed and numbing cream sits on the skin for about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Treatment. The pen works section by section, starting shallow and adjusting depth until the skin shows even redness.
- Soothing. Saline or a cold pack may be used to comfort the skin before you leave.
Results and recovery
Right after treatment, your skin may look red, or darker on deeper skin tones, and feel like a sunburn, with minor discomfort, burning or swelling. Redness and mild swelling usually settle within 2 to 3 days, and most people can return to daily work the next day. Wait 24 hours before applying makeup, and protect your skin from the sun.
Aftercare will help you avoid an infection and see the best results. To soothe your skin in the meantime, a post-treatment aftercare cream may be recommended, and you will need to protect your skin from the sun.
Pinpoint bleeding may last up to 24 hours. Less often, a cold sore can flare or the skin can turn lighter or darker for a while, and darker skin tones are more prone to pigment change. Call us if redness, warmth or itching increases or you notice pus, since those can be signs of infection.
Results build gradually as your body makes collagen. You may see improvement within a few weeks, but full results usually take several months, and acne scars often need 3 to 5 sessions spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. SkinPen is authorized by the FDA to improve the appearance of facial acne scars in adults aged 22 or older.
At Spectrum, we use the Rejuva pen and SkinPen. Performed by Sabeen Munib, MD. Microneedling for the face is $400, and every treatment books online with a $65 deposit that counts toward your treatment. Read more about microneedling at Spectrum Skin Clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does microneedling hurt more each session?
It varies. Some patients report more pain with each microneedling session and others report less, so we check your comfort at every visit and adjust.
How long does the numbing take to work?
The numbing is left on for about 45 minutes to an hour before treatment starts, and we wait the full time before beginning.
What do you feel after microneedling?
Your skin may feel like it is sunburned, with temporary discomfort, burning or swelling, and some tightness or skin sensitivity to the touch. Redness and mild swelling usually settle within 2 to 3 days.
How often should you do microneedling?
For scarring, 3 to 5 microneedling treatments performed every 2 to 4 weeks is common. To keep results as collagen is lost over time, a maintenance session once a year may be recommended.
Is it worth doing microneedling just once?
One microneedling treatment starts the process, but you may need more than one treatment to get the results you want, and full results usually take several months to show.
Can I do microneedling at home?
Products sold for at-home microneedling are not meant to puncture the skin, so they lead to less noticeable results. At-home microneedling can also be risky: overusing it can irritate your skin, and it can accidentally spread warts, herpes and other viruses. For scarring, see our guide to microneedling vs laser for acne scars.
Have a question about your own skin?
See Sabeen Munib, MD in person. Every assessment and treatment is performed by the physician.
