Can microneedling cause permanent scarring?

Author: Roscoe Kling Sr.  |  Last update: Monday, May 12, 2025

When microneedling is performed by someone who lacks this medical training and in-depth knowledge of the skin, there's an increased risk of developing side effects like infection, scarring, or long-lasting skin discoloration. You can further minimize these risks by following your dermatologist's aftercare instructions.

Can microneedling leave permanent scars?

Because microneedling actually creates numerous tiny but controlled injuries in the skin, you might also see very small marks on your skin after the procedure. However, these marks are temporary.

Can microneedling cause permanent damage?

Risks that May Occur From Microneedling

Other microneedling side effects include: Damage to blood vessels. Skin irritation. Temporary or permanent nerve damage that could result in numbness or pain.

Does microneedling cause scarring?

BEWARE OF SCARRING

Some devices can cause tearing and micro-scars on the skin. Roller and pen devices that were used in the past rely on the human hand moving around during treatment which means the treatment is prone to error and error can result in burning, stinging and micro-tears in the skin.

Does microneedling damage skin over time?

Any microneedling device has the potential to cause side effects that last a short time or a long time. Skin damage is a risk that commonly occurs with microneedling devices.

How Aggressiveness of Microneedling and Laser for Acne Scars can be Reduced by Combining Treatments

Why does my skin look older after microneedling?

Why Do I Look Older After Microneedling? You might look older after microneedling because your skin is temporarily inflamed and shedding older layers.

Does skin go back to normal after microneedling?

However, most people will notice skin flaking and peeling starting 3 days after their microneedling session. These changes are normally observed when the skin is trying to repair itself. You may notice some improvement of your skin's tone and texture as early as 2-3 weeks after your first session.

How to fix microneedling damage?

Caring for Your Skin After Microneedling

Focus on barrier repair with hydrating, non-irritating formulas. Avoid active ingredients like Vitamin C and A until your skin barrier fully recovers. It's also vital to be cautious about the products used during and after microneedling.

What does an atrophic scar look like?

Atrophic scars are the opposite of hypertrophic scars. They are depressed, sunken and often have a pitted appearance.

How to prevent scarring after microneedling?

#1.

As a general rule, you should reach for sunscreen whenever you are exposed to the sun, for the first 2 weeks after microneedling. Sunscreen should be worn everyday regardless, but it is extra important to protect your healing skin from sun damage during the recovery process. Always use sun screen SPF30 or above.

What are the downsides of microneedling?

Cons of Microneedling
  • Likely To Be Painful. ...
  • Risk Of Infection Or Scarring If Not Done Properly. ...
  • Potential For Increased Sensitivity And Irritation. ...
  • Possibility Of Post-Treatment Breakouts. ...
  • May Not Be Suitable For Individuals With Certain Skin Conditions Or Medical Conditions.

Can microneedling cause permanent pigmentation?

There is a chance that microneedling post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur in some individuals. This happens as a response to the way that the skin heals, leading to an overproduction of melanin in the treated areas.

How long does it take to fully heal from microneedling?

How long does recovery take? The redness and swelling will fade away within 48 hours. Peeling and breakouts will take some time to resolve completely. Improvement is visible within 40-48 hours after micro-needling, but healing from micro-needling might take up to two months.

Are microneedling effects permanent?

Now the big question – will the tightened skin from microneedling treatments remain forever or will effects diminish over time? The answer is that while it produces long lasting improvements in skin firmness and elasticity, the effects are not considered fully permanent.

What is the average price of a microneedling session?

The average cost of microneedling in the US is about $640 per session, according to over 300 patient experiences on RealSelf. This can vary between $300 to $700, however, depending on: Your location: Prices may be higher in major cities or upscale clinics.

How to get rid of boxcar scars?

Treating Boxcar Scars
  1. Microneedling. Like chemical peels and dermabrasion, microneedling damages the skin in the scar. ...
  2. Fillers. A filler is an injection that literally fills out the indented part of the scar. ...
  3. Laser therapy. ...
  4. Punch excision.

Will indented scars fill in?

It's natural to wonder, “Do indented scars fill in over time?” Unfortunately, these scars won't disappear on their own. Atrophic scars rarely go away completely, but with the help of a dermatology provider, you may be able to successfully reduce their appearance.

What is the difference between atrophic scarring and normal scarring?

An atrophic scar develops when the skin cannot regenerate tissue correctly. Unlike keloids and hypertrophic scars, atrophic scars are indented in appearance due to healing that occurs below the expected layer of skin.

What does a mature scar look like?

This is the reason that mature scars are smooth, often shiny, and are always lighter in color than the surrounding skin. The inflammation that is necessary to bring in blood flow and healing cells and tissue can result in the darkening of the normal skin surrounding a scar (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).

Do microneedling scars go away?

Studies have found that this treatment plan can fade acne scars by 50% to 70%.

Why does my skin look awful after microneedling?

It's all normal for skin to look red or inflamed, possibly even scratched or bloody, and possibly feel rough and tender to the touch. These side effects of microneedling will go away eventually.

Does microneedling age your skin?

This medical procedure helps to prevent skin ageing by creating micro-punctures in it and stimulating its remodelling, resulting in the reduction of wrinkles, discolouration, and stretch marks.

What happens if you microneedle too deep?

Improper Technique: Applying excessive pressure or using incorrect needle depth can lead to skin trauma, scarring, and permanent damage. Infection Risks: Poor hygiene practices, unsterile equipment, or microneedling over active lesions increase the chances of bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.

How long does it take for collagen to rebuild after microneedling?

Results will depend on the severity of the area being treated. The tightened and final results will be seen gradually over 6-9 months which is the time it takes for each individual's body to produce collagen naturally and for the skin to rebuild after injury.

What are the drag marks from microneedling?

Common potential side effects of this procedure are minimal, which include the following: Grid marks that look like waffles have been imprinted in your skin may be seen. This signifies an allergic reaction as to where the microneedling device went in through your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Previous article
How do I get the maximum benefit from minoxidil?
Next article
How many laser sessions are needed for Brazilians?