The Journey Begins: Preparing for Microneedling
Imagine sitting down to finally give your skin the deep, transformative care it deserves. That is exactly what I set out to do with this long-overdue microneedling session. I wanted to not only perform the procedure but also answer the questions that so many of you have asked over the years. As I prepared, I washed my face thoroughly, then used an alcohol-based toner multiple times to ensure the skin was immaculately clean. I also made sure everything I would touch—the new pen, the cartridges, the mirror—was disinfected with alcohol. For this treatment, I was using the Dr. Pen A6S, a newer, more powerful version of the Dr. Pen A6 I had used in all my previous treatments. While the differences are not massive, the A6S is more powerful and offers a few extra features. I paired it with a 16-needle cartridge for precision and efficiency.
Before You Begin: A Word of Caution
Before I dive into the details, let me share a thought that is vital for anyone considering this path. For some people, performing microneedling at home is simply not a good option. It is completely fine to go to a professional to get this done. If you do decide to do it yourself, remember it is your choice and your risk. Do your own thorough research before ever touching a needle to your skin.
The Treatment: Step by Step
I work in sections, usually starting at the forehead. However, if pain is a concern, I would advise against starting there—it is often the most painful area. For this session, I set the Dr. Pen A6S to 0.5mm for most of my face. I learned through past experience that you must treat each area completely before moving on. If I try to go back later to go deeper on wrinkle lines, the skin has already started its inflammatory process—it gets swollen, red, and irritated, making it much more painful. So whatever I need to do on the forehead, I do it now. For faint fine lines and deeper concerns, I adjusted the settings to 1.5mm for those specific spots. I also took this opportunity to target my hairline and brows for hair growth, using the 1.5mm depth there as well. The feeling was intense—especially on the forehead, where I experienced pinpoint bleeding—but the rest of the face was easier. I worked my way across the cheeks, the jaw, and finally the neck at 0.5mm, which was far less painful.
Common Questions Answered
Throughout my experience, I have gathered the most frequently asked questions about microneedling, and I want to share the answers with you now.
How many treatments are needed to see results?
Experts often say four to six treatments are ideal. From my personal experience, the absolute minimum to see decent changes is three treatments. If you can do four, that will solidify your results and give you fairly long-lasting improvements.
Can you use vitamin C after microneedling?
You should avoid vitamin C serums for at least three to four days. Some experts suggest waiting only 24 to 48 hours, but to be safe, I recommend the longer window. Your skin is extremely sensitive after the procedure, and many products can cause burning or irritation.
How long do results last after a series of treatments?
According to research, results typically last about 12 months, with a recommended touch-up at six to twelve months. In my own experience, I went six months without a treatment and noticed some lines starting to worsen, but other lines that were completely gone from my initial sessions remain gone to this day. It really depends on what you are working on.
Help! My skin looks worse after microneedling. What did I do wrong?
This is a common concern, and I have been through it myself. For the first five to ten days, your skin may look worse—extremely dry, flaky, and even more wrinkled. This is due to water loss from the trauma to the skin. Do not panic. This is a normal part of the healing process, and your skin will eventually turn around, often looking drastically better around day ten.
How many days after microneedling can I wear makeup?
Ideally, wait three days for the safest bet. If you cannot wait that long, at least give it 24 hours. And when you do apply makeup, make sure your brushes and sponges are thoroughly washed to avoid infection.
Immediate Aftermath: The First Few Hours
Right after the treatment, my face felt very hot and stinging. It was quite red, but I was pleasantly surprised that the burning sensation stopped within about an hour and 15 minutes. In past sessions, my face sometimes felt like it was on fire, but this time it calmed down quickly. My skin already felt tight and dry, with a white residue forming—likely from the hyaluronic acid I applied post-treatment. It looked a bit like I had done a chemical peel, with tiny white flakes.
The Days That Followed
The next morning, my skin was very dry. I washed it and applied a mix of hyaluronic acid serum, emu oil, avocado oil, and another serum called The Buffet. This combination caused some sensitivity and burning because the skin was still so raw. For the first day, it is best to stick with just hyaluronic acid and a few gentle oils. Over the following days, I noticed a lot of tiny flakes and dead skin coming off—almost like dandruff, but not as dramatic as a chemical peel. A wet washcloth helped remove the surface stuff.
One interesting observation: my skin looked much darker than normal for a few days—almost like I had gotten a tan or a salmon-orange color. I have had this happen before with TCA peels, and it seems to occur with microneedling as well. It gradually returned to its normal tone.
Ten Days Later: The Final Update
It has now been ten days since the treatment. For the past three days, my skin has been flaking excessively. I tried an overnight exfoliating mask from Good Molecules (8% glycolic acid) to help slough off the flakes, but they returned the next morning. I am not yet at that magical point where my skin looks absolutely amazing—that breakthrough usually happens around day ten for me, but this time it is taking a little longer. That is perfectly fine; everyone heals at their own pace.
However, I have one remarkable result to share: my eyebrow hair is growing like crazy. The hairs are coming in very quickly and densely, especially in the lower part of my brows, which doubled in size within just two days. I have always had fast hair growth, but nothing like this. It is a promising sign for the hairline and brow targeting I did during this session.
A Final Word
Microneedling is a journey. It requires patience, careful aftercare, and a willingness to let your skin go through its natural healing process. Whether you do it yourself or seek a professional, the key is to stay informed and listen to your skin. The results, when they come, are truly rewarding.