Microneedling at home has been a game changer in my skincare journey. After years of treating my skin at home, I have seen incredible results, like smoother texture, improved tone and a noticeable reduction in fine lines and scars. If you are curious about microneedling or considering trying it yourself, this blog post covers the most frequently asked questions and everything I have learned from personal experience.
What is microneedling?
Microneedling is a simple, minimally invasive skincare treatment that uses a pen device with a tiny needle cartridge. By gently stamping the device onto the skin, it creates micro-injuries that trigger your skin’s natural healing process and help it produce more collagen and elastin.
Benefits of microneedling
Primary Uses:
- Treats scars, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks and hair thinning
- Improves skin texture, firmness and tone
- Enhances topical product absorption and can be combined with other therapies (e.g., radiofrequency, PRP)
Microneedling is a skin treatment that helps your skin make more collagen and elastin, which makes your skin stronger and smoother. It can improve acne scars, wrinkles and rough skin by helping your skin heal itself. It also helps your skin soak up creams and serums better, so they work more. Using the right products, it can lighten dark spots and help with some hair loss. It can also make stretch marks and scars look better.
Types of needling
Nano needling
Nano needling is a very gentle treatment that’s great for beginners. It helps your skin get used to needling without pain or downtime. Even though it’s called nano needling, there are no real needles in the cartridge. Instead, it uses tiny silicone or metal cones that touch only the surface of your skin (the top dead layer called the stratum corneum). These cones gently open tiny, invisible paths in the skin so that serums can soak in better.
Nano needling is perfect for helping with dry skin, dullness, or dark spots. It’s very gentle and safe to use often. There’s no pain and no healing time needed. You don’t have to worry much about rules or hygiene like with deeper needling.
Cosmetic needling
Cosmetic microneedling uses small needles to go a bit deeper into the skin than nano needling (0.2–0.3mm). It makes tiny holes in the top living layer of the skin (epidermis). This helps wake up skin cells to make new, healthy collagen. You might see some redness afterward, but usually not any bleeding.
Because the treatment doesn’t reach blood vessels, it helps your skin repair itself without causing inflammation. It also helps serums absorb better. It’s best to use simple serums that help hydrate the skin or improve how skin cells work.
Medical needling
Medical microneedling goes deeper into the skin (0.5mm and more), reaching the dermis. This depth can cause tiny bleeding and releases growth factors from your blood that help build new collagen. But it also causes inflammation, so it must be done very carefully.
Because it goes deep, it needs proper hygiene and sometimes a numbing cream. It is more advanced and should be done by a trained professional. You can do it at home, but only if you are careful and experienced.
Microneedling at home
At-home microneedling might become harder to do soon because the FDA is reviewing these devices. Some big online stores like Amazon and AliExpress have already started removing microneedling pens and needle cartridges from their websites. This does not mean they are banned yet, but it shows that changes could be coming. One popular microneedling pen was recently approved by the FDA, but only for medical use with a doctor’s prescription. This means people might not be able to buy or use certain microneedling pens at home anymore.
Because of this, many stores are being careful and taking these products down. Some websites still sell them, but the prices are going up. In the future, it is likely that only very gentle microneedling tools like nano needling devices will be allowed for home use. If you do microneedling at home and want to keep doing it, now might be a good time to stock up on the tools and cartridges you trust.
Choose the right cartridges
The number of needles in your microneedling cartridge matters a lot. Cartridges with fewer needles, like 12-pin, usually have thinner needles and are better for the face. They’re more gentle and precise, which is important for delicate areas like around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead.
Cartridges with more needles, like 36 or 42-pin, have thicker needles and are better for larger areas of the body. These thicker needles are stronger and can handle tougher skin, like on your thighs or stomach.
Think of it this way: if you step on one single nail, it will pierce your skin. But if you step on a board with hundreds of small nails, it will hurt, but it likely won’t go deep. The same idea applies to microneedling. Fewer needles go deeper and are more focused, while more needles spread the pressure and work better for larger areas.
Preparing for microneedling at home
If you are doing microneedling at home, it is important to prepare your skin properly to get the best results and avoid irritation. About a week before, stay out of the sun and don’t use tanning beds. Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. Stop using strong skincare products like retinol, tretinoin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid or any exfoliants. They can make your skin too sensitive. Also, avoid taking blood-thinning medicines or supplements like aspirin, ibuprofen or fish oil for a few days before, as they can cause bruising.
If you usually get cold sores, be aware microneedling might trigger one. Don’t wax or use laser hair removal on the area for at least two weeks before. You can shave two days before, but not on the same day.
On the day of microneedling, make sure your skin is clean, dry and makeup free. Drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods to support your skin’s healing.
What to expect after microneedling at home
It is common to see some redness or blotchiness for one to three days after treatment. I have noticed that my skin can actually look worse at first, but it always improves significantly after a short time.
During this period, my skin also tends to feel a bit rough or textured to the touch, almost like fine sandpaper. This happens because of the tiny micro injuries created during the treatment. As the skin begins to repair itself and new skin cells start forming, the surface can temporarily feel uneven. This roughness is a normal part of the healing process. Be patient and treat your skin gently while it recovers.
What is the optimal care for skin after microneedling at home?
Right after microneedling, your skin is essentially open with tiny micro injuries, which means it can absorb anything you put on it much more easily than usual. Because of this, it is best to avoid applying any products with chemicals for at least the first 24 hours. During this time, just rinse your face gently with water to keep it clean without risking irritation or unwanted reactions. One exception is serums that are approved for use with microneedling. For example, I use the Calecim Professional Serum.
After those first hours, you can start using a gentle cleanser. Avoid strong products like vitamin C right after treatment because they can sting and irritate your skin. Try to stay out of the sun for at least one day and when you do go outside, use a gentle, mineral sunscreen. It is also best to avoid makeup for about two days to give your skin time to recover.
Safety tips
- Use a clean, sterilized device every time to avoid infections.
- Don’t share your microneedling tool with others.
- Start with shorter needles (0.25–0.5 mm) if you are new to it. These are safer for home use.
- Avoid microneedling over active acne, open wounds or irritated skin.
- Disinfect your skin before starting by washing thoroughly and using an alcohol-based toner or cleanser.
- Use gentle, hydrating skincare products afterward, avoiding harsh ingredients like retinol or acids for a few days.
For more information on the safety and potential side effects of microneedling, you can read this systematic review.
FAQs: microneedling at home
How often should you do it?
Experts recommend waiting at least 6-8 Â weeks between treatments. Your skin needs time to heal and generate new collagen. Even though you may not see immediate results, changes happen over time.
When to avoid microneedling at home?
You should avoid microneedling at home if you have active acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis or any skin infections. It is also best to wait if you have recently had a chemical peel, laser treatment or used strong exfoliating products.
Is it necessary to treat the entire face?
Not at all. You can target specific problem areas. That said, since each cartridge costs money, many people choose to treat the full face at a lower depth to maximize usage.
How much pressure should I apply?
None. Let the device do the work. Just make sure the cartridge lies flat against your skin. Sensitive areas like the forehead may feel more painful, so don’t press down.
Can I use it around my eyes?
Yes, but with caution. I do microneedle around my eyes, but the cartridge head can be too bulky to reach the delicate under eye area. Most professionals recommend using 0.25 mm no more than 0.5 mm depth here and it is important to be extra gentle.
Do I need to sterilize the cartridge?
No. You should never reuse a microneedling cartridge. Each cartridge is single-use, and the needles dull after just one session. For best results and safety, always use a new, sterile cartridge each time.
How do you make the most of a new cartridge?
Once you have opened a fresh cartridge, consider treating more than just your face. I like to include my neck, hands and décolleté too, especially since the cartridge is sharp and effective during its first use.
What products can I use with microneedling?
Only use products made for microneedling, like special serums that are safe to go deep into the skin. Do not use your regular skincare products for the first 2 days after microneedling. Most skincare products are not made to be absorbed deep into the skin, and you don’t want certain chemicals getting into your body.
Conclusion – microneedling at home
I hope this guide helped you learn how to do microneedling at home safely. If you do it the right way, microneedling can help make your skin smoother, reduce small wrinkles and make your skin look healthy. Remember you should do microneedling only every 6 to 8 weeks. Doing it more often can hurt your skin. Always keep everything clean, use right cartridges and take care of your skin before and after. Enjoy your microneedling!
