Microneedling: What It Does, What to Expect & Is It Worth It?
Microneedling has become one of the most talked-about treatments for improving skin texture, fine lines, acne scars and overall skin quality. But if you've never had it done, you may have a lot of questions.
What exactly does microneedling do? Does it hurt? How long will your face be red? When will you see results? And is microneedling actually worth it?
Unlike treatments designed simply to exfoliate or hydrate the surface of the skin, microneedling works by creating controlled microchannels in the skin. This triggers the body's natural healing response and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. The result isn't an overnight transformation. Instead, microneedling is designed to encourage gradual improvements in the quality, texture and appearance of your skin.
What Does Microneedling Actually Do?
During a professional microneedling treatment, a specialized device containing very fine needles creates thousands of controlled microchannels in the skin. Your body recognizes these tiny injuries and begins a natural repair process that includes the production of new collagen. That's why microneedling is sometimes referred to as collagen induction therapy.
Collagen provides structure and support to the skin. As the skin repairs itself following treatment, this remodeling process can gradually improve its texture and appearance. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that microneedling is used to address concerns including acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture and tone, wrinkles and fine lines.
What Skin Concerns Can Microneedling Improve?
One reason microneedling has become so popular is its versatility. Depending on your skin and treatment plan, professional microneedling may help improve the appearance of:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Collagen stimulation can help skin appear smoother and firmer over time.
Acne scars
Microneedling is commonly used to improve the appearance and texture of certain acne scars.
Enlarged pores and uneven texture
As skin remodels, its overall texture may appear smoother and more refined.
Uneven skin tone and overall skin quality
Microneedling can help create a smoother, more refreshed-looking complexion.
Certain scars and stretch marks
Microneedling may also be used for some types of scarring and stretch marks, depending on the individual concern and treatment area.
Is Microneedling Good for Acne Scars?
This is one of the biggest reasons people seek out microneedling. Acne scars often involve changes in the skin's texture and collagen structure. By creating controlled micro-injuries and stimulating new collagen production, microneedling can make certain acne scars less noticeable over time. However, not all acne scars are the same.
Rolling scars, boxcar scars and ice-pick scars have different characteristics, and some scars may respond better to other treatments or a combination of treatments. Active acne is another consideration. Microneedling generally isn't something you want performed directly over inflamed, infected or deep active breakouts. That's another reason an evaluation before treatment matters.
Does Microneedling Hurt?
This is usually near the top of everyone's list of questions. Before beginning your microneedling treatment at Larimar, we apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment area to help keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. After allowing adequate time for the numbing cream to take effect, we begin the treatment.
Most clients find microneedling very tolerable with numbing. You may still feel some pressure, vibration or a mild prickling sensation as the device moves across the skin, and certain areas, particularly the forehead or around the upper lip, may feel more sensitive than others.
The depth of treatment can also be adjusted based on the area being treated, your skin and the concern we're addressing. At Larimar, our Réjuvapen microneedling treatments are customized according to your individual skin and goals. For most clients, the anticipation is worse than the actual treatment.
What Will My Skin Look Like After Microneedling?
Immediately after treatment, expect your skin to look like it has been through a treatment. Redness is common. Your skin may also feel warm, tight or mildly sensitive—some people describe the sensation as similar to a sunburn. You may experience some dryness, flaking or peeling as the skin recovers. Temporary effects such as redness, tightness, itching, peeling, bruising and minor pinpoint bleeding can occur following microneedling.
For many people, the most noticeable redness settles over the first few days, although everyone's skin responds differently.
How Much Downtime Does Microneedling Have?
Microneedling is generally considered a treatment with relatively minimal downtime, but minimal doesn't mean zero. You may be comfortable returning to many normal activities fairly quickly, but your skin can look red and feel sensitive following treatment. Redness, sensitivity and mild swelling can persist for several days, and recovery varies from person to person.
If you have an important event, wedding or photo session coming up, don't schedule your first microneedling treatment immediately beforehand. Give your skin adequate time to recover.
When Will You See Microneedling Results?
This is where microneedling is very different from a facial. You may notice your skin looking refreshed as the initial recovery period passes, but collagen remodeling takes time. The treatment is stimulating a biological process rather than simply creating a temporary surface glow.
Some improvement may become noticeable within a few weeks, while fuller results can take several months as the body produces collagen. So if you have microneedling today, don't judge your final result next week. Your skin is still doing the work.
Do You Need More Than One Microneedling Treatment?
Yes. At Larimar, we recommend a series of six microneedling treatments for optimal results.
While you may begin to notice improvements after an individual treatment, microneedling works by stimulating your skin's natural collagen production and remodeling process, which happens gradually over time. A series of treatments allows us to build on the results of each session, creating progressive improvement in concerns such as fine lines, acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture and overall skin quality.
Because every person's skin and goals are different, we'll customize your treatment plan and adjust each session based on how your skin responds. For clients who want to get the most from microneedling, a series of six gives the skin multiple opportunities to stimulate new collagen and achieve more noticeable, progressive results.
Microneedling vs. At-Home Dermarolling
They aren't the same thing. Professional microneedling allows treatment depth and technique to be controlled according to the skin and treatment area. At-home rollers and microneedling devices are generally much more superficial, and attempting to create deeper injuries yourself can introduce unnecessary risk.
Overusing at-home microneedling can irritate the skin, and devices that penetrate the skin can potentially cause infection, scarring or spread certain viruses. This is one treatment where more aggressive at home does not mean better results.
What About RF Microneedling?
Traditional microneedling and radiofrequency—or RF—microneedling aren't identical treatments. Both involve microneedles, but RF microneedling also delivers radiofrequency energy beneath the skin to create heat in the tissue.
Larimar's microneedling treatment is traditional microneedling without radiofrequency energy.
This distinction has become particularly relevant because in October 2025 the FDA issued a safety communication after receiving reports of serious complications associated with certain uses of RF microneedling devices, including burns, scarring, fat loss, disfigurement and nerve damage. That safety communication is specifically about RF microneedling and should not be interpreted as applying those same reported RF complications to traditional microneedling.
What Does Larimar Use for Microneedling?
At Larimar Medspa, we perform professional microneedling using Réjuvapen®, an advanced microneedling device that allows treatment depth to be customized based on the treatment area and individual skin concerns.
Every Larimar microneedling treatment also includes Steriderm Pro Rejuvenate, a serum containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, vitamins, amino acids and coenzymes. Clients may also choose Exovex Revive Exosomes Serum as an optional topical add-on. Exovex is intended for topical use and is applied as part of our customized treatment protocol.
You can learn more about our treatment options, current pricing and available add-ons on our Microneedling treatment page.
Who May Not Be a Good Candidate for Microneedling?
Microneedling isn't appropriate for everyone or at every point in time. Certain active skin infections, inflamed acne, recent significant sun exposure or sunburn, a tendency toward problematic scarring, certain medications and some medical conditions may affect whether or when treatment is appropriate.
Be open about your health history, medications and skincare products before treatment so your provider can determine whether microneedling is appropriate for you.
So, Is Microneedling Worth It?
For many people looking to improve skin texture, acne scars, fine lines, enlarged pores and overall skin quality, microneedling can be a very worthwhile treatment.
One of the things we love about microneedling is that it works by stimulating your skin's own natural repair process and collagen production. Rather than simply creating a temporary surface improvement, the goal is to encourage gradual, natural-looking changes in the quality and texture of your skin. Results continue to develop over time as collagen remodeling occurs, and a series of treatments can provide progressive improvement for concerns such as uneven texture, acne scarring and signs of aging.
Microneedling is also highly customizable. Treatment depth and the number of sessions can be adjusted based on your skin, the concern being treated and the results you're hoping to achieve. While no treatment can promise perfect skin or completely eliminate every line or scar, microneedling is an excellent option for clients who want to improve their skin's appearance while supporting long-term collagen production. For the right candidate, it's a treatment that can deliver results that continue to improve well beyond the day of the appointment.
Microneedling at Larimar Medspa in Chattanooga
Larimar Medspa has provided professional skincare and advanced aesthetic treatments in Chattanooga since 2007.
Our experienced estheticians customize microneedling treatments based on your skin, concerns and individual goals rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whether you're concerned about acne scars, fine lines, enlarged pores, uneven texture or simply want to improve your overall skin quality, we'll help determine whether microneedling—or another advanced skincare treatment—makes the most sense for you.
Not sure if microneedling is right for your skin? Schedule a complimentary consultation at Larimar Medspa in Chattanooga and we'll help you create a personalized treatment plan.