Microneedling in Switzerland

Microneedling: Women’s Prerogative or Also for Men?

Microneedling uses the skin’s natural ability to produce collagen to treat certain skin conditions. The procedure uses needles to create “micro” perforations in the skin that promote collagen production and skin healing.

Microneedling can help reduce the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and even wrinkles. But does it hurt?

In this article, we will examine the intensity of the pain and the measures you can take to make the procedure less painful.

Is Microneedling Painful?

Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy or percutaneous collagen production, is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure.

The goal of microneedling is to pierce the outermost layer of the skin and trigger the healing process. This promotes collagen production and skin cell renewal.

The entire procedure takes about an hour. The procedure is performed by one of our estheticians under the supervision of a doctor, allowing the needles to go up to 3mm under the skin for the treatment of hypertrophic scars.

Before the Procedure

A topical anesthetic will be applied about 30 to 45 minutes before the treatment begins. This numbs the area and reduces the pain that may be felt during the procedure.

During the Procedure

The esthetician will use an instrument containing tiny needles, the Dermapen 4, the only microneedling device capable of making over 1,000 punctures through the skin per second, to perform the procedure.

The microneedling instrument is sterilized and intended for single use. Once the procedure begins, the esthetician moves the instrument evenly over the skin to create small holes in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin. The microneedling part of the procedure lasts about 15 to 30 minutes.

The most common sensation during the procedure is a feeling of warmth and tingling as the instrument moves around the face. You may also feel mild pain in the bony areas of the face, such as the hairline, forehead, and jaw.

Otherwise, the application of a topical anesthetic makes this procedure relatively painless.

After the Procedure

After the procedure, the esthetician will apply a gel mask to help calm the skin and reduce inflammation and redness. Creams and lotions that promote the healing process of the skin may be prescribed.

You can leave the office immediately after your appointment. No downtime is required. You may notice some redness and mild skin irritation for 2 or 3 days after the procedure, but this is generally not concerning and should fade as the skin heals.

It takes time for new collagen to form. You will generally need to wait 2 to 6 weeks between sessions to allow the skin to repair itself. Three to four sessions may be necessary for the microneedling results to become noticeable.

Are There Things You Can Do to Minimize Pain?

Although microneedling is a relatively painless procedure, you may still experience some discomfort. There are some steps you can take before and after the procedure to minimize the pain you may feel.

To minimize pain before the procedure:

Avoid using products on your skin that increase sensitivity, such as retinoids or exfoliants. Avoid laser procedures or overexposure to the sun before the treatment. This can damage the skin and increase sensitivity. Do not shave, wax, or use depilatory products before the procedure. This can lead to increased skin sensitivity.