Microneedling can look deceptively simple.
A device containing very fine needles is passed across the skin, creating controlled micro-injuries that stimulate the skin's natural healing response.
So if two clinics are using the same SkinPen® device, shouldn't the treatment be essentially the same?
Not necessarily.
The device is important, but microneedling isn't simply a matter of turning on a machine and moving it across the skin. The person performing the treatment makes decisions about treatment depth, technique, the areas being treated and, perhaps most importantly, whether your skin should be treated at all.
Those decisions can influence both your experience and your result.
If you're new to the treatment, our guide to what microneedling does—and what it doesn't do explains how the treatment works and the concerns we typically use it for.
Why Does Microneedling Technique Matter?
Professional microneedling is intended to create controlled injury to the skin.
The word controlled matters.
The goal isn't to cause as much bleeding, redness or inflammation as possible. More aggressive treatment doesn't automatically produce more collagen or a better result.
Instead, treatment should be appropriate for the area of the face, the condition being addressed and the individual skin being treated.
Different areas of the face can require different considerations. The forehead, cheeks, upper lip and areas around the eyes don't all have the same tissue thickness.
A thoughtful treatment takes those differences into account.
Technique: Trained vs Untrained
The Trained Approach
- ✓ Smooth, controlled device movement
- ✓ Precision depth for specific facial zones
- ✓ Minimal, pinpoint bleeding
- ✓ Result: Silky texture, reduced scars & wrinkles
The Untrained Approach
- ✗ Dragging or "snagging" the skin
- ✗ Excessive pressure causing bruising
- ✗ Risk of "Tram-Track" scarring
- ✗ Result: PIH, inflammation, or uneven texture
Does Deeper Microneedling Give Better Results?
This is one of the misconceptions we occasionally encounter.
It can be tempting to assume that if a little stimulation is beneficial, going deeper must be better.
That's not how we approach microneedling.
Treatment depth should have a reason behind it.
Someone being treated for acne scarring may require a different approach from someone primarily interested in improving general skin texture. Even within the same treatment, different areas may be treated differently.
Unnecessarily aggressive treatment can increase inflammation, discomfort and recovery without necessarily improving the final result.
The objective isn't to see how much the skin can tolerate.
It's to create the appropriate response.
At Glow Luxe, we use SkinPen microneedling in Victoria, BC for concerns such as acne scarring, uneven texture, enlarged-looking pores and fine lines.
Is Bleeding Necessary During Microneedling?
Some pinpoint bleeding can occur during professional microneedling, particularly when treating certain areas or concerns.
But dramatic bleeding shouldn't be used as a measure of whether you've received a "good" treatment.
Social media can sometimes create the impression that the more dramatic a procedure looks, the more effective it must be.
We don't agree.
What the skin looks like during the treatment tells only part of the story. The treatment plan, technique, healing response and changes that develop over the following weeks are much more important.
A Good Provider Should Know When Not to Treat
Technique isn't only about what happens once the SkinPen touches your skin.
Clinical judgment begins before that.
Active inflammation, infections, certain skin conditions, medications, medical history and a tendency toward abnormal scarring can all affect whether microneedling is appropriate.
There are also times when microneedling simply isn't the best treatment for the concern someone wants to improve.
Brown spots and visible capillaries, for example, may be better suited to IPL photorejuvenation. Significant skin laxity may lead us toward radiofrequency treatments. Some scars may require a different approach or combination of treatments.
Being able to recognize those situations is part of performing microneedling responsibly.
Why We Use SkinPen®
At Glow Luxe, we use SkinPen for our professional microneedling treatments.
SkinPen is an FDA-cleared microneedling device with specific cleared indications, including the improvement of facial acne scars in adults.
We like having a professional system that provides controlled depth adjustment, sterile single-use needle cartridges and safety features designed specifically for professional microneedling.
But we don't believe the name on the device is enough.
Two people can own the same equipment and approach treatment very differently.
Technology provides the tool.
The practitioner still has to decide how—and whether—to use it.
What Should You Ask Before Having Microneedling?
You don't need to interrogate your provider or understand every technical detail of microneedling.
But you should feel comfortable asking questions.
A few useful ones are:
- Why do you think microneedling is appropriate for my skin?
- What are we actually trying to improve?
- How many treatments do you expect I may need?
- What should I expect during recovery?
- Are there any reasons you wouldn't perform microneedling on someone?
- What device do you use?
- What training and experience do you have performing the treatment?
Pay attention to the answers.
A good consultation should help you understand why a treatment is being recommended rather than simply convincing you to purchase it.
Does Provider Experience Really Affect Microneedling Results?
The equipment certainly matters.
So do sterile technique, appropriate treatment parameters, candidate selection, aftercare and the provider's ability to recognize how different skin conditions should be approached.
That's why we wouldn't choose a microneedling provider based solely on the device they advertise.
SkinPen is the device we've chosen to use at Glow Luxe, but the more important question for a client is whether the person performing the treatment understands their skin and has a sensible reason for the treatment they're recommending.
What Should Good Microneedling Look Like?
Good treatment doesn't need to look dramatic.
It should look considered.
The provider should have assessed your skin beforehand, understand what you're trying to improve and be able to explain the treatment plan.
During the procedure, technique should be controlled rather than unnecessarily aggressive. Afterward, you should understand what to expect, how to care for your skin and when to contact the clinic if something doesn't seem right.
And perhaps most importantly, you should never feel as though the goal was simply to perform the most aggressive treatment your skin could tolerate.
Choosing a Microneedling Provider in Victoria, BC
If you're considering microneedling, it's reasonable to ask what device a clinic uses.
We think it's equally important to ask who will be using it.
At Glow Luxe Skin Care in Victoria, we use SkinPen microneedling for appropriate candidates, but every treatment begins with deciding whether microneedling makes sense for the skin in front of us.
Sometimes it does.
Sometimes another treatment makes more sense.
If you're considering microneedling and aren't sure where to start, call 250.590.5459 or text 250.889.7549 to arrange a complimentary consultation.
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