What Is Microneedling? Benefits, Results, Aftercare & Cost

What is microneedling?

Microneedling is a treatment in which very fine, sterile needles make many tiny channels in your skin. Your skin treats each channel as a small injury and repairs it. As it heals, it builds new collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and smooth.

The treatment is minimally invasive. This means there is no cutting, and recovery is short. It is done in a clinic with a pen-shaped device, and most people are red for only 1 to 3 days.

You may see it called regular or standard microneedling. Both names mean needles only, with no added heat. A newer form, RF microneedling, adds radiofrequency (RF) heat at the needle tips, and we compare the two below.

At our Markham clinic, Dr. Dan Xu and our team perform RF microneedling. We also use regular microneedling together with PRP and exosomes. Both are explained below.

Is collagen induction therapy the same as microneedling?

Yes. Collagen induction therapy, often shortened to CIT, is another name for microneedling. The name describes what the treatment does: it induces, or triggers, your skin to make new collagen. Some clinics also call it skin needling.

How does microneedling work?

Microneedling works by starting your skin’s own repair process. The needles make tiny, controlled channels, and your skin answers by releasing growth factors, which are natural repair signals. These signals tell skin cells to build fresh collagen, elastin and small blood vessels.

The channels are very small, so the outer layer of your skin stays mostly whole. This is why recovery is shorter than with deep peels or lasers that remove the skin surface. New collagen keeps forming for a few months after each session, so the change is gradual.

What device is used for microneedling?

Clinics use a motorized pen with a sterile, single-use needle tip. The pen moves the needles up and down very quickly, and the depth can be changed for each area. Thin skin, such as the skin around the eyes, needs a shallower setting than scarred cheeks.

In a clinic, the needles reach from a fraction of a millimetre to about 2 millimetres deep. Hand rollers and stamps are older tools. Home rollers have much shorter needles, so they do a different job, as we explain further down.

Microneedling benefits: what is microneedling good for?

The main microneedling benefits are smoother texture and softer shallow scars. It is good for acne scars that are not too deep, fine lines, large-looking pores and rough or uneven skin. The change builds over a series of sessions, not after one visit.

So what does microneedling do for each concern? Here is an honest list:

• Acne scars: new collagen lifts shallow, sunken scars, so they look softer.
• Fine lines and early wrinkles: firmer skin makes lines that show at rest look softer.
• Large-looking pores: pores do not close, but smoother skin around them makes them look smaller.
• Rough texture and dull tone: skin feels smoother and looks fresher.
• Stretch marks and other scars: needling can soften the look of stretch marks, but it does not erase them.
• Mild looseness: skin can feel a little firmer, though the lift is small.

The face is the most common area. The neck, chest, hands and body areas with scars or stretch marks can also be treated.

What microneedling does not do well

Regular microneedling has limits. Deep or pitted acne scars and clearly loose skin usually need a stronger treatment, such as RF microneedling or a laser.

It also does not relax muscles the way Botox does, so it will not smooth lines made by movement. Melasma, the brown patches that darken easily when skin is irritated, needs a careful plan of its own. Dr. Xu checks your pigment before any needling.

Microneedling vs RF microneedling: what is the difference?

The difference between microneedling and RF microneedling is heat. Regular microneedling uses needles alone. RF microneedling uses needles that also release radiofrequency heat deep in the skin, which tightens and remodels it more strongly.

For acne scars and loose skin, RF microneedling goes further than regular microneedling. The trade-off is a longer recovery. This table shows the main differences.

	Regular microneedling	RF microneedling
How it works	Needles alone start the skin’s repair	Needles plus RF heat at the needle tips
Suits	Texture, pores, fine lines and shallow scars	Deeper acne scars, large pores and mild to moderate loose skin
Recovery	About 1 to 3 days of redness	About 3 to 7 days of redness and light crusting
Typical course	3 to 6 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart	3 to 4 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart
Risk of dark marks	Low	Low

Our RF microneedling devices include Morpheus8, Sylfirm X and Lutronic Genius. Dr. Xu chooses the device, needle depth and energy for your concern and skin type. To see what the heat does under the skin, read how RF microneedling works.

What is microneedling with PRP or exosomes?

Microneedling with PRP or exosomes means a repair product is applied to your skin during the session. The tiny channels help the product reach deeper than it could on unbroken skin. The aim is to support healing and improve skin quality.

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small sample of your own blood is spun to concentrate the platelets, which carry natural growth factors. Because PRP comes from your own body, the risk of an allergic reaction is very low. Our PRP treatment page explains it step by step.

Exosomes are tiny bubbles that cells release to send repair messages to other cells. They contain no living cells. You can read more in our guide to exosomes for skin.

At our clinic, we use regular microneedling to deliver PRP and exosomes into the skin. We also offer Aquagold microneedle infusion. It uses hair-fine, gold-plated needles to place a custom mix of ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, just under the skin surface.

Not sure which facial fits your goal? Our guide to PRP vs microneedling vs HydraFacial compares what each one does.

Who is a good candidate for microneedling, and who should wait?

Microneedling suits adults with mild to moderate texture concerns, shallow scars, large-looking pores or early fine lines who want a short recovery. Some people should wait, or start with a different treatment.

Is microneedling safe for darker and Asian skin?

Yes, it is an option for most skin tones. Regular microneedling uses no heat or light, so the risk of dark marks is lower than with many lasers. Dark marks that follow skin irritation are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH.

The risk is not zero. Skin that tans easily can still darken after irritation, mainly with sun exposure. Careful depth, gentle aftercare and sun protection before and after treatment keep this risk low.

Who should wait before microneedling?

You should wait, or have a different plan, if any of these apply to you:

• Active acne breakouts, a skin infection or an open wound in the area.
• An active cold sore. If you get cold sores, tell us before your session.
• Eczema or dermatitis that is flaring in the area.
• Pregnancy.
• Skin that forms keloids, which are thick, raised scars.
• A bleeding disorder, or medicine that thins the blood.
• Recent use of isotretinoin, an acne pill.
• A sunburn or a fresh tan.

Because Dr. Xu is a medical doctor, your consultation also checks your health history, medicines and skin before any needling. If you need to wait, Dr. Xu tells you when it is safe to start.

What happens during a microneedling treatment?

A microneedling treatment takes about an hour or a little more. Most of that time is spent waiting for the numbing cream to work. The needling itself takes about 20 to 30 minutes for a full face.

A typical visit follows these steps:

1. Skin check and cleanse: your skin is checked and cleaned.
2. Numbing cream: it stays on your skin for about 30 to 60 minutes.
3. Needling: the pen passes over each area a few times.
4. Serum or add-on: a calming serum goes on, or PRP or exosomes if they are in your plan.
5. Aftercare: you receive clear care steps before you leave.

Does microneedling hurt?

With numbing cream, most people feel light scratching, vibration or pressure, not sharp pain. Bony areas, such as the forehead and upper lip, feel more sensitive. Tiny pinpoint spots of bleeding can appear during deeper passes, and this is normal. Afterwards, your skin feels warm and tight, like a mild sunburn, for a few hours.

How to prepare for microneedling

A little preparation lowers the risk of irritation and dark marks.

• Stop retinoids and exfoliating acids about a week before.
• Protect your skin from the sun for about 2 weeks before, and do not arrive with a sunburn.
• Tell us about cold sores, acne medicine, blood thinners and any recent skin treatments.

How many microneedling sessions do you need?

Most people need a series of 3 to 6 microneedling sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. The exact number depends on individual factors, such as your skin concern, how deep it sits and how your skin heals. Fine lines and texture often need fewer sessions, while acne scars and stretch marks usually need more.

How often should you do microneedling?

Leave at least 4 weeks between sessions. New collagen needs that time to form. Needling again too soon can irritate your skin instead of helping it.

After your series, one or two maintenance sessions a year help you keep the result. RF microneedling follows a similar rhythm: most people need 3 to 4 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart. Dr. Xu sets the number and timing after seeing how your skin responds.

Microneedling results: when do you see them?

Microneedling results show slowly. Skin often looks fresher within 1 to 2 weeks, but the real change in scars and texture builds over 1 to 3 months, as new collagen forms.

This is the usual timeline:

• First week: redness settles, and skin may look brighter and feel smoother.
• Weeks 2 to 4: early collagen forms, and makeup sits more evenly.
• After 2 to 3 sessions: most people start to see a clear change in texture and shallow scars.
• Months 3 to 6: collagen keeps building after your last session, so skin can keep improving.

How long does microneedling last?

The new collagen is your own, so it stays for a long time. But skin keeps aging, and sun speeds this up. Most people keep their result with daily sunscreen and one or two maintenance sessions a year. Results vary from person to person.

Microneedling aftercare: what to do in the first week

Microneedling aftercare is simple: keep your skin clean, moisturized and out of the sun, and avoid anything harsh for the first few days. The first 24 to 72 hours matter most, because the tiny channels are still closing.

What does healing look like day by day?

Most people have 1 to 3 days of visible redness. Here is what to expect:

• Days 1 to 2: skin is red, warm and tight, like a mild sunburn.
• Days 3 to 5: skin feels dry and may flake lightly. Let the flakes fall off on their own.
• Days 6 to 7: most skin has settled and looks fresher.

When can you wash your face, wear makeup or exercise?

This table gives the usual timing. Your own care sheet may differ a little, so follow the one we give you.

What	When it is usually fine
Washing your face	That evening or the next morning, with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser
Plain moisturizer or hyaluronic acid serum	From the first day
Sunscreen (SPF 50+)	Once the first redness settles, then every day
Makeup	After 24 to 48 hours
Exercise, saunas, hot yoga and hot showers	After 48 hours
Swimming pools and hot tubs	Once your skin has healed, in about a week
Retinol, exfoliating acids, vitamin C and scrubs	After 3 to 7 days, when your skin no longer feels sensitive
Direct sun	Avoid for 1 to 2 weeks, and wear a hat outdoors

Call us if redness or swelling gets worse after day 3, or if you notice growing pain, pus or a fever. These problems are uncommon, and early care settles them faster.

Most problems we see come from aftercare, not from the treatment itself. Our article on microneedling mistakes to avoid explains the five we see most often.

Microneedling side effects: is microneedling safe?

Microneedling is a low-risk treatment when a trained provider uses sterile, single-use needle tips on healthy skin. Most microneedling side effects are mild and fade within a few days.

The common, short-lived effects are redness, mild swelling, pinpoint bleeding, tightness, dryness and light flaking. Less common effects can happen, and each one has a way to keep the risk low:

• Dark marks (PIH): more likely on skin that tans easily, and after sun exposure. Careful depth and strict sun protection keep this risk low.
• Infection: uncommon. Sterile technique, single-use tips and clean aftercare lower the risk.
• Cold sore flare: possible if you carry the cold sore virus. Tell us first, since you may need medicine to prevent one.
• Bruising: sometimes seen on thin skin, and it fades within days.
• Scarring: rare, and mostly linked to poor technique, home devices or picking at the skin.

At-home microneedling: is a derma roller the same as clinic treatment?

No. At-home microneedling with a derma roller is not the same treatment as microneedling in a clinic. Home needles are much shorter, so they mainly help skincare products absorb and give a mild, short-lived glow. They do not reach deep enough to rebuild scars.

Home devices also carry more risk than they seem to. Needles turn blunt with reuse, and a blunt needle tears the skin instead of making a clean channel. Without sterile, single-use tips, the risk of infection and scarring is higher.

A home roller can make skin feel a little smoother for a short time. For scars, pores or lines, clinic treatment with sterile tips and a set depth gives a stronger and safer result.

How much does microneedling cost in Toronto?

Regular microneedling prices are about $200 to $700 a session. Prices are for reference only and reflect general Toronto pricing. Please contact us for your exact price.

Your exact price is confirmed at your consultation, after Dr. Xu sees your skin and sets your plan. Microneedling prices vary because every plan is different. These are the main things that change the cost:

• Size of the area: a few scars cost less than a full face, neck and chest.
• Device and depth: RF microneedling uses a more complex device, so it costs more per session than needles alone.
• Add-ons: PRP or exosomes raise the price of a session.
• Number of sessions: most plans need several sessions, so ask for the cost of the full plan.
• Who performs it: fees differ between a doctor-led medical clinic and a spa.

Microneedling is a cosmetic treatment, so OHIP does not cover it.

Is microneedling right for you?

Microneedling is worth considering if you want smoother texture, softer shallow scars or finer-looking pores, and you can commit to a few sessions. It suits you less if you want a clear lift, or a big change after one visit.

Dr. Dan Xu and our team look at your skin, your goals and how much recovery time you can take. Then we explain your options honestly. That may be microneedling with PRP or exosomes, or RF microneedling at our Markham clinic for deeper scars and loose skin. Your first consultation is free.