Why does microneedling cause wounds but make skin better

為什麼微針造成傷口,卻可以讓皮膚更好? - LEMOI-PEAU

Written by: Wei-Hsiang Yang, 2nd year Master's student in Cosmetic Science, specializing in skincare science

Why does microneedling, which creates wounds, actually improve skin health?

Controlled minimally invasive surgery to stimulate collagen regeneration

Because microneedling creates very small and controlled wounds that don't cause significant damage to our skin, but can still induce inflammation.>>hyperplasia>>Remodeling the three-stage healing response.

When the skin is injured, the injured area quickly activates fibroblasts and releases platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). These factors promote the regeneration of type I and type III collagen, while enhancing skin elasticity and firmness.

Open up skin microchannels to amplify absorption efficiency

When microneedling creates wounds, it opens hundreds to thousands of ultra-fine channels in the stratum corneum, which close automatically within about 30 minutes. During this golden period, hydrophilic nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C can quickly and smoothly penetrate deep into the skin. In vitro experiments have also found that pre-treatment with microneedling before application can increase the absorption rate of skincare products by 100 to 1000 times, essentially opening a VIP channel for hydrophilic molecules that are difficult for the skin to absorb.

Home Microneedling VS Medical Aesthetic Microneedling

project 0.2 mm Home Short Needle Professional cosmetic procedures (0.5-2.5 mm)
pain Almost painless, with only slight redness after the procedure. Anesthesia is required; redness and swelling will last for 13 days post-surgery.
Frequency of use Once a week 46 weeks once
side effect The risk of infection and pigmentation is extremely low. Possible bleeding, scabbing, and pigmentation.
cost Approximately NT$400-500 per use One treatment course costs approximately NT$4,000-8,000+
Main functions Opening up skin channels enhances the absorption of skincare products and promotes skin healing. Deep collagen induction for the treatment of scars and pigmentation.

Additional information: Short-needle microneedling doesn't aim for "deep damage." Instead, it uses a high-frequency, low-risk method to deliver moisturizing or anti-aging serums into the skin more quickly, while providing gentle collagen stimulation. For those who want to try microneedling but are worried about the recovery period and pain, 0.2 mm microneedling is a good choice.

[Le Moi-Peau Recommendation] 0.2 mm soluble hyaluronic acid microneedle roller

project Specification
Product Name 0.2 mm soluble hyaluronic acid microneedle roller
Needle length/material 0.2 mm/High-purity hyaluronic acid
Design Highlights The needles dissolve into the skin; each needle is individually packaged and discarded after a single use.
Frequency of use Use once every 1-2 weeks. After cleansing, gently roll for 2-3 minutes, then immediately apply serum and roll for another 2 minutes. Strengthen sun protection.

Experimental results of 0.2mm soluble hyaluronic acid microneedles on ordinary people

Before

After

Improvement indicators Before use After use Improvement range
spot 107 90 Reduced by 15.9%
Texture 425 238 Reduced by 44.0%
pores 207 170 Reduced by 17.9%


User Experience

3 | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1 | Will it hurt when using it?

The 0.2 mm short needle only works on the epidermis, causing only a slight tingling sensation and almost no pain!

Q2 | How often should I use it?

It is recommended to use it once a week, and one month's supply is one set (a set of 4 heads is just right).

For those with sensitive skin, start with half the dosage: once every 2 weeks. If there is no discomfort, increase the dosage.

Q3 | Will microneedling thin the skin?

Microneedling will not thin your skin. As mentioned in previous articles, microneedling can promote collagen production, which will increase the amount of collagen under the skin, making the skin thicker and healthier!

After a microneedling treatment, the skin may experience temporary dryness, peeling, or redness, which is a normal and temporary repair process.

Peeling: This is because the old stratum corneum is metabolizing rapidly, and new cells are replacing it.

Dryness: During the skin's repair process, moisture is easily lost. If moisturizing is not strengthened, the skin will feel dry and tight.

So the feeling of thinner skin is an illusion!

Q4 | Can it be used on sensitive skin?

Hyaluronic acid is a highly biocompatible material suitable for most skin types. If you have eczema, rosacea, or inflammatory acne, it is recommended to wait until your symptoms stabilize before using it.

Q5 | What are the differences between this and medical aesthetic microneedling?

At-home short needle treatments focus on "absorption and surface plumping," while medical aesthetic long needle treatments can address deep scars and wrinkles. If you have already undergone professional treatments, you can use short needle treatments for maintenance.

Q6 | Can it be used on sensitive/acne-prone skin?

Imagine doing weight training: Healthy skin = no obvious muscle strain before training. Microneedling is like giving the skin a "low load, high repetition" stimulation; the needle tip creates extremely fine "muscle fiber cracks", the body activates the repair mechanism, delivers collagen and growth factors, and ultimately makes the "muscle" - that is, the stratum corneum-dermis structure - thicker and smoother.

The period of intense redness and swelling equals acute muscle inflammation: Deadlifting at this time will only widen the tear, prolong the recovery period, and may even leave scars. Similarly, performing microneedling on skin during periods of active inflammation overloads the skin barrier, easily leading to more severe peeling or secondary infection.

suggestion:

First, let the inflammation stabilize (such as the pimples drying up and the redness subsiding) – just like letting the muscles rest until they stop hurting.

Immediately replenish "nutrients" after microneedling: Top layer soothing spray and repair essence = high protein + amino acid replenishment, promoting "supercompensation".

Once every 1-2 weeks, give your skin enough "recovery days".

Q7 | Are there any contraindications?

Avoid use during pregnancy, if you have keloids, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. Do not soak in hot springs or saunas within 24 hours after the procedure.

Q8 | If I have warts on my face, will microneedling cause them to spread?

Warts are caused by a virus; if a microneedle is rolled directly over a wart, the virus can spread to nearby healthy skin through the newly opened small channels.

For safe use, please treat or cover the warts before performing microneedling.

Action Guide

  • For a single wart: first cover the wart with medical tape/water-based adhesive (such as an acne patch), avoiding that spot when rolling, and treat the rest of the area as usual.
  • For multiple warts/those with a tendency to spread (such as flat warts): it is recommended to first have dermatological treatment (cryotherapy, spot treatment, etc.) and complete healing before considering microneedling.
  • 24 hours post-surgery: Keep your face clean and avoid frequent touching to prevent viruses or bacteria from seeping back into the micropores.


4 | References

  1. Hou A, Cohen B, Haimovic A, Elbuluk N. Microneedling: A Comprehensive Review. Dermatologic Surgery. 2017;43(3):321-339.
  2. Badran MM, Kuntsche J, Fahr A. Skin penetration enhancement by a microneedle device (Dermaroller®) in vitro: dependency on needle size and applied formulation. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2009;36(4-5):511-523.
  3. Tuan-Mahmood TM et al. Microneedles for intradermal and transdermal drug delivery. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2013;50(5):623-637.
  4. Iriarte C et al. Review of applications of microneedling in dermatology. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2017;10:289-298.
  5. Kang H et al. The most promising microneedle device: present and future of hyaluronic acid microneedle patch. Drug Delivery. 2022;29(1):3087-3110.
  6. Microneedles'Device: Design, Fabrication, and Applications. Macromol. 2024, 4(2), 320-355

Further Reading

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