What happens if microneedling is done incorrectly?

Author: Alicia McLaughlin  |  Last update: Sunday, November 30, 2025

Risks of Microneedling Improper Technique: Applying excessive pressure or using incorrect needle depth can lead to skin trauma, scarring, and permanent damage.

What happens if microneedling goes wrong?

Possible Complications After Microneedling
  • Infection. Infections do not always look the way you think.
  • Allergic or irritant reactions. Ranging from barely visible or extreme (as in you just want to hide).
  • Pain and itching. Are not normal for skin if they last more than a few days!
  • Scars and texture changes.

What happens if you go too deep microneedling?

But yeah, there are a few things you need to take into account otherwise... yes, you will have ``regrets.'' If you go too deep or do sessions too often, it can lead to scarring or even enlarge your pores, doing the opposite of what you're looking for. Also, the quality of the pen plays a huge role.

How to fix microneedling damage on face?

5 AFTERCARE PRACTICES THAT CAN ENHANCE THE RESULTS OF YOUR MICRONEEDLING TREATMENT
  1. Avoid Skin Care Products Containing Strong Active Ingredients After the Treatment. ...
  2. Use A Mild Cleanser Or Moisturizer. ...
  3. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure. ...
  4. Keep The Treated Area Clean To Avoid Infection.

Is it hard to mess up microneedling?

The Common Microneedling Mistakes To Avoid Are:

Using the wrong needle size. Not using sunscreen. Microneedling over skin infections, active acne, or sores. Applying Wrong Products After Microneedling.

Derma Pen! Don't do the same MISTAKE! KNOW HOW! Correct technique.

Why does my face look bad after microneedling?

Common Side Effects of Microneedling

The procedure causes short-term redness, swelling, and skin flaking, often lasting a few days. You should call your doctor immediately if you notice more severe side effects, such as bruising, bleeding, peeling, and infection.

How hard do you press when microneedling?

Use a light, even pressure. If you have some loose skin, you may need to hold this area taut also.

How long does skin look bad after microneedling?

After Microneedling Treatment

You may notice that your skin is red and swollen for up to three days. During this time, use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, and if necessary, use 1% hydrocortisone cream.

What happens if you derma roll too much?

Can you overuse a derma roller? Yep! Overusing a derma roller can stress out your skin. Rolling too often can lead to redness, irritation, and swelling.

Why do I 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.

What happens if you overdo microneedling?

Even though microneedling benefits the skin, overdoing it can cause serious risks, including skin irritation, redness, and inflammation, leading to discomfort. Overdoing treatments or not allowing ample time between sessions can lead to scarring and even hyperpigmentation.

Is 2mm too deep for microneedling?

For treating acne and other scars as a routine, a needle length of 1.5–2 mm is usually used. When microneedling is used as a procedure to treat ageing skin and wrinkles, the needle length of 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm is usually recommended.

Why did my microneedling hurt so bad?

Essentially, some people are more sensitive to pain than others. For individuals with a lower pain tolerance, the sensation caused by the microneedling process may feel more intense. However, many describe it as a feeling of light sandpaper being moved across the skin.

What are the symptoms of bad microneedling?

Skin damage is a risk that commonly occurs with microneedling devices. The damage may include bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching and peeling, and these typically go away without any treatment after a few days or weeks.

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 remove dead skin after microneedling?

You shouldn't wash your skin at all during the first 72 hours. After that, gently exfoliate the skin after 3 – 5 days to remove the flaky dead skin that commonly forms after treatments. Use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, and make sure your hand motions are as gentle as possible.

Can you do microneedling wrong?

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 do I know if I have an infection from microneedling?

A sudden reappearance of redness or pain is a sign of infection, and you should notify our office immediately. PERSISTENT REDNESS, ITCHING, AND/OR SWELLING – Itching, redness, and swelling are normal parts of the healing process. These symptoms rarely persist longer than 24 hours.

How often can I microneedle my face at-home?

If you choose to try at-home microneedling, be sure to: Disinfect your device before and after each use. Use gentle pressure and avoid sensitive areas. Stick to low-frequency usage (every 2-4 weeks).

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.

How long does purging last after microneedling?

Purging after microneedling typically lasts about 3 to 7 days. During this time, dead skin cells and clogged pores are being expelled. As the skin heals and renews, purging should gradually subside, leaving smoother and clearer skin.

Why do I look darker after microneedling?

You'll see noticeable improvement within a few days, but the full effects of microneedling appear after several weeks. Some patients may experience temporary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially those with darker skin tones.

What happens if you microneedle too hard?

This could lead to an infection or scarring. At-home microneedling can accidentally spread warts, herpes, and other viruses across the skin. Pressing too hard can damage your skin. This damage can cause scarring or changes to your skin's color or texture.

Is it better to microneedling fast or slow?

As a general rule, the faster you set the speed on your microneedling pen, the deeper the needle will penetrate your skin. If you're using the pen on your face or other sensitive areas, we recommend using a lower speed - this gives you more precise control of the pen and its movements.

How do I know if microneedling worked?

You may notice some improvement of your skin's tone and texture as early as 2-3 weeks after your first session. The maximal effects typically occur after 3 months, when collagen has fully formed. Multiple microneedling treatments have additive effects—they give better results that last longer.

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