Microneedling: what to expect, results and aftercare

Microneedling is one of the most effective ways to improve skin texture, scarring and firmness — using your skin’s own healing response. Here is an honest look at what to expect.

How microneedling works

Fine needles create thousands of tiny micro-channels in the skin. These trigger a natural repair process that builds new collagen and elastin — the proteins that keep skin firm and smooth. Over the following weeks, texture refines and scars soften.

What it helps with

• Acne scars and post-acne texture
• Fine lines and loss of firmness
• Enlarged pores
• Dull, uneven skin tone
• Stretch marks (on the body)

Does it hurt?

A numbing cream is applied first, so most people feel only light pressure or vibration. Sensitive areas like the forehead can feel a little more. A session takes about 45–60 minutes including numbing time.

A session, step by step

It helps to know the order of things. First a proper cleanse, and photos if you want to track progress. Then the numbing cream works for about 20–30 minutes — bring headphones, this is the boring part. The needling itself moves zone by zone and takes roughly 20–40 minutes depending on the area; cheeks are usually easy, the forehead and jawline ask a little more patience. A calming serum finishes the session, and you will see the redness straight away — plan your day around looking flushed for the evening, not around hiding for a week.

A single session is €125, and we start with a free consultation to confirm your skin is in a treatable state. On the day itself we will postpone if you arrive with an active breakout in the area, irritated skin or a fresh tan — needling over inflamed skin does more harm than good, and losing a week is cheaper than losing a result.

Aftercare — the important part

• Expect redness like mild sunburn for 24–48 hours.
• No makeup, gym, sauna or sun for 24 hours.
• Use only gentle, recommended products for a few days.
• SPF 50 daily — your skin is more sun-sensitive while it heals.

The first three days, honestly

• Day 0: red and warm, like an afternoon in the sun. It looks more dramatic than it feels.
• Day 1: redness settles to pink; skin can feel tight and dry. A fragrance-free moisturiser is your best friend.
• Days 2–3: possible light flaking, pinkness mostly gone — most people are comfortable in makeup and back on camera.

If you have an event coming, count backwards and book at least three or four days ahead of it, not the evening before. And if you are still weighing whether the treatment itself is worth it, we went through the evidence in does microneedling actually work and collected the full picture in our microneedling guide.

When will I see results?

You will notice a glow within a week, but collagen builds gradually — the real results appear over 4–6 weeks and keep improving across a course of 3–4 sessions, spaced about a month apart.

See microneedling or our BioRePeel & microneedling combination, and we will tailor a plan to your skin.