What is skin needling and how does it work?

Skin needling sounds pretty scary, right? It certainly doesn’t make you think of herbal tea, fluffy slippers and a soft white robe, which are often associated with beauty treatments. But I was super intrigued about the procedure and once I did some research, I thought I’d give it a go! So I headed to Privée Clinic in Bondi Junction and man am I glad I did…
RELATED: This facial treatment will make your skin look brighter
What is skin needling?
My therapist Ana explains exactly what skin needling is: “It’s a popular treatment and method for wrinkle reduction, treating acne scarring and rejuvenating the complexion.” The procedure involves using a needle that is controlled by a motorised head that makes small ‘injuries’ in the skin or as Ana calls them, ‘micro channels’. This stimulates the skin to “repair at a cellular level and accelerates the regeneration of the skin’s epidermal cells.”
How does it work?
The small injuries described above work to activate the skin’s wound healing response, “which triggers the natural production of collagen in the dermis,” says Ana. She explains that it’s a “physiological process that improves the thickness, colour, texture and consistency of the complexion yet does not pose the risk of permanent scarring.”
What are the benefits?
Skin needling works to treat a number of common issues including:
· Wrinkles and fine lines
· Lack of skin firmness and elasticity
· Scarring
· Acne and chickenpox scars
· Enlarged pores
· Sun damage
· Under-eye bags
· Stretch marks
· Cellulite
How many sessions do you need?
Generally speaking, a minimum of six to eight treatments is recommended. From my own experience, I saw an improvement in my skin’s condition from the first treatment.
Ana tells me that post-treatment care is particularly important for skin needling and at Privée Clinic they recommend using Dermaceutic K Ceutic Post-Treatment cream and Tensage 40 Ampoules “to help repair the skin with natural growth factors.”
What is the cost?
The cost per treatment is $450.
My experience
Before my first treatment, Ana cleansed my face and then applied a thick layer of numbing cream. During the treatment while Ana moved the needle across my skin, I felt very light pressure and completely painless scratching. After the needling component was over, Ana used an omni light for 20 minutes to soothe my skin. This is what it looked like post-treatment and then one day after.
My skin was very red immediately after the treatment, however this gradually went down after a few hours and after one day, it was almost completely gone. On the fourth day my skin became quite dry and a little flaky, so I gave it a good exfoliation before slathering on a layer of the K Ceutic cream.
One week later
By the one-week post-treatment mark, the texture of my skin had significantly improved. My skin tone was much more even and I had friends, family and co-workers complimenting me left, right and centre!
What do you think of the results of my skin needling? Would you like to try it?
167 Member Comments
I am looking into buying the Dr Pen and doing it at home.
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Ouch. Hope its worth the pain
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I've had six sessions of needling and it has significantly improved the texture and smoothness of my skin. I do have large pores and have not seen any results in terms of a reduction in their size, but I love this treatment and overall my skin has definitely improved. I wear less foundation and get so many compliments on my skin.
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I have had it done once, it is an expense. Where I live it isn't as expensive as this article. If I had the bucks I would probably continue, but where do you stop? There are so many treatments out there. Be careful, as there are different kinds of qualifications. Some do a short course, my friend studied for two years initially, and is continually training.
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I can definitely see the difference but I don't know if something like this would be for me.
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i had 6 and results are fanstatic but i need to top up each year
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I think it could be beneficial
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Definitely effective. I love the one I have at home. So convenient and less invasive than some of the others I've seen.
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The results are great. I've been considering trying it for a while but a little scared it might damage my skin having all those needles prick my face.
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She showed us the pictures but she did not rave about it.. so I'm not sure myself. I don't like how you are deliberately harming your skin...
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I've previously tried skin needling it and have seen good results - the cost is too high for me at the moment and I'll save up for it in the future to help resolve my scarring and pigmentation issues (both of which have improved due to the treatments I've been getting).
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Great results but that price tag - ouch.
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Definitely see improvements but whoah that price tag is “choke on my coffee” high!
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Definitely impressive results - pricey but if you have the funds why not.
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The before and after results look great.
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Results are impressive. Would love to try this treatment in clinic. I bought an at home one from beautorium a year ago and regular use I have not seen much results.
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the results look fantastic but the cost is quite high for the budget
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Wow! How does needling get rid of scarring?
Doesn’t it create scarring?
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Sounds bit scary but the results are so impressive
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This is one of those things that sounded crazy when I first heard of it, but it's actually got some merit.
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Amazing results but not for me Xx
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The results are impressive but does sound painful!
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Not something I'd consider.
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An interesting read and great results.
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