MICRONEEDLING - BEFORE AND AFTER: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO REJUVENATED SKIN
- Dr Heather Anderson
- Mar 29
- 3 min read
Microneedling is a great treatment for skin rejuvenation. It’s like giving your skin a wake-up call, stimulating collagen and elastin to correct fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and improve overall texture. If you’re looking for a way to refresh your skin without major downtime, this treatment is definitely worth considering.
HOW DOES MICRONEEDLING WORK?
Over time, our skin naturally loses collagen, leading to fine lines, sagging, and uneven texture. Microneedling helps reverse this by strengthening your skin from within, making it a fantastic option for improving:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Acne scars
Uneven skin texture
Enlarged pores
Tiny, sterile needles penetrate the skin, creating microscopic channels and stimulating the body’s natural healing response. Growth factor TGF-β3 is released in a process unique to microneedling, triggering what many refer to as the holy grail of healing, where repair happens without scar formation. Fresh collagen and elastin are therefore produced to smooth skin and give it a youthful glow.
And the best part? The results get better over time as your skin continues to build collagen in the weeks following treatment (go skin, go!).
MICRONEEDLING FOR ACNE SCARS
If you’ve been struggling with acne scars, microneedling can be a game-changer. By stimulating collagen production in scarred areas, the treatment helps smooth out irregularities. When combined with topicals such as insulin, the results are even more profound.
For acne scars, I usually recommend a series of 3-6 treatments, spaced about 4-6 weeks apart. Some scars - especially deeper ice-pick scars - may need a combination approach with chemical peels, but even on its own, microneedling can make a noticeable difference.
MICRONEEDLING FOR FINE LINES AND WRINKLES
One of my favourite things about microneedling is how well it works for fine lines. The tiny needles trick your skin into thinking it needs to repair itself, so it becomes firmer and more radiant over time.
Most patients notice an improvement in skin texture after just one session, but the real magic happens around the 3-month mark when collagen remodelling peaks. What’s even more beautiful about this treatment is that in can be used on any skin on the body, popular areas include face, neck, decolletage, hands, and caesarean section scars.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A MICRONEEDLING TREATMENT
If you’re nervous about pain, don’t be. A numbing cream is applied before treatment, so most people only feel a mild prickling sensation. The procedure itself takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on the area being treated.
Afterwards, your skin may be red - similar to a mild sunburn - but this usually settles within 24-48 hours. You might experience some dryness or light flaking as your skin renews itself, but nothing that will keep you from your normal routine.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR SKIN AFTER MICRONEEDLING
Post-treatment care is crucial for getting the best results. Your skin will be more sensitive than usual, so I always recommend:
Avoiding makeup for at least 24 hours to let your skin breathe.
Applying a gentle moisturiser to keep skin hydrated.
Using SPF 50+ daily and avoid sun exposure.
Skipping harsh exfoliants and active ingredients (like retinol) for a few days to allow your skin to heal properly.
HOW MANY SESSIONS DO YOU NEED?
This depends on your skin goals. For general rejuvenation, 3-4 sessions spaced a month apart are ideal. For deeper acne scars or more pronounced wrinkles, you may need 5-6 sessions.
Once you’ve completed an initial series, I usually recommend maintenance treatments every 6-12 months to keep collagen production active and skin looking fresh.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Microneedling is one of those treatments that keeps on giving. The results aren’t instant, but with each session, your skin gets better - smoother, firmer, and more radiant. If you’re looking for a natural way to boost collagen and improve skin texture, microneedling is definitely worth a try.
Your skin has an incredible ability to heal and renew itself. Sometimes, it just needs a little encouragement!
Dr. Heather Anderson
MBChB, BSc, RNZCUC
