Medical Microneedling: How to Create Long-Term Skin Health
- Rachel Barber NP
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
"Why I Recommend Medical Microneedling in my Practice"
By Rachel, Nurse Practitioner
One of my favorite ways to support skin health as we age is through a treatment called medical microneedling. It’s not a trendy quick fix—and that’s exactly why I love it.
As a licensed nurse practitioner with years of experience in aesthetic medicine, I’m always drawn to treatments that work with the body’s natural processes. Medical microneedling is one of those rare tools that stimulates real change beneath the surface, helping your skin age well over time by rebuilding its own collagen.
What Is Medical Microneedling?
Also known as collagen induction therapy, medical microneedling uses a device with very fine, sterile needles to create controlled micro-channels in the skin. These tiny injuries signal your body to begin a natural healing process—boosting collagen and elastin production in the deeper layers of skin.
That renewed collagen helps improve skin firmness, texture, and tone. And because it's happening from the inside out, results develop gradually and last longer than many surface-level treatments.
What Can Microneedling Improve?
In my practice, I use microneedling to help improve:
Fine lines and early wrinkles
Acne scars and texture irregularities
Sun damage and pigmentation
Enlarged pores
Mild laxity or thinning of the skin
It’s a great option for patients who are thinking long-term about their skin—not just looking for a one-time fix. I often recommend it for patients who want to maintain a natural, healthy appearance as they age, and who are open to supporting their skin with lifestyle and skincare choices, not just in-office treatments.
When Botox Isn’t the Whole Answer
Botox is a powerful tool—but it’s not always the full solution.
As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen, especially around the eyes, mouth, and cheeks. When this happens, the skin can start to thin or droop, even if the muscles underneath are relaxed with Botox.
Some patients start to feel like their Botox isn’t lasting as long or doesn’t look as smooth as it used to. They might think they need more, but in reality, the issue is often collagen loss—not muscle movement.
Adding more Botox can sometimes lead to a frozen look without fixing the underlying cause.
That’s why I love using microneedling as a companion to injectables. It helps rebuild the structure and strength of your skin, so Botox works better—and your results look more natural, for longer.
At-Home vs. Medical Microneedling: What’s the Difference?
This is something I talk about often, especially because I recommend and offer both.
At-home cosmetic rollers (usually 0.2mm–0.3mm) help with mild stimulation and improving product absorption. I often give one with the purchase of vitamin A skincare for this reason—it’s a great addition to a thoughtful home routine.
Medical microneedling, on the other hand, uses longer needles (0.5mm to 2.5mm) and is performed in a clinical setting. These deeper medical treatments stimulate collagen remodeling, which is what gives longer-term improvements in skin texture and firmness.
I like to describe it this way:
Home rollers are like going for a walk—you’re moving your body and doing something good.
Medical needling is like strength training—it’s targeted, controlled, and builds over time.
Preparing for Treatment: Why Vitamin A Matters
For anyone considering microneedling, I recommend prepping the skin with a gentle vitamin A moisturizer for at least four weeks beforehand. This helps strengthen the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve post-treatment recovery.
If you’re NEW to my practice, I encourage you to start with a consultation so we can talk through your skincare history and goals, and get your skin ready for the best results.
If you're an existing patient and you're already scheduled for injectables, just mention you're interested in microneedling at your next visit—I'll help you get started on a simple pretreatment plan.
What to Expect During and After Your Session
Each microneedling appointment takes about 2 hours total, and is designed to be as calming and effective as possible. Here's what that time includes:
30–50 minutes of numbing time, using a strong topical anesthetic to ensure comfort
20–30 minutes of microneedling, tailored to your skin’s needs and tolerance
10–20 minutes of red light therapy post-treatment to soothe the skin, reduce inflammation, and support healing
After your session, expect mild redness or a sunburn-like appearance for 1–2 days. I’ll guide you through a gentle, nourishing aftercare plan to support the healing process.
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