Microneedling, questions answered

Microneedling is a wonderful tool for a range of skin concerns. It uses a pen to create tiny controlled ruptures in the skin, prompting your skin to repair itself and produce new collagen and skin tissue, leaving it smoother and firmer. It's great for hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, wrinkles and large pores.

Microneedling isn't a quick fix — to see the full results usually takes at least six sessions. That said, most people find it beneficial and start to see a difference after the very first session.

Everyone's skin and repair system is different, but generally microneedling results can last between three and five months. How long they last depends on how long collagen stays in your body and on the specific concerns being treated.

Your skin takes around 28 days to heal, so we recommend having treatment every four to six weeks. If you have sensitive skin, we suggest leaving six weeks between treatments.

The cost of microneedling varies depending on the serums used and the practice itself. Generally, microneedling can cost between £80 and £250 per session. We'll give you a clear price at your consultation — see our prices page for our current rates.

People generally start to show the first signs of ageing in their thirties, so we'd suggest starting in your late thirties. Beginning around then can help you maintain your youthful glow and support ongoing collagen production.

Straight after treatment, most people experience some redness or pinkness in the treated areas, and pinpoint bleeding is normal for some during the treatment. Over the following days, the redness or pinkness can continue for a little while, and it's common for the area to feel like it's stinging and for the skin to start to peel. Following your precare and aftercare instructions, and avoiding harsh chemicals, helps your skin recover beautifully.

Keep things gentle while your skin heals. Avoid makeup and touching the area for the first day, skip strenuous exercise, saunas and swimming, and pause harsh actives such as retinol and acids. It's recommended to use SPF 50 once 24 hours have passed, and to keep following the aftercare instructions we give you. Let any peeling happen naturally rather than picking at it.

There are some risks to consider, including bleeding, soreness, tightness, bruising, itching and peeling. These typically subside after a few days, or a few weeks in some cases. Using SPF 50 after treatment is important to protect your skin, and we'll always check your suitability beforehand.

Botox and microneedling can have similar-looking results, but they work very differently. Botox involves injecting a product to relax the muscle, so it "freezes" the area, whereas microneedling creates tiny tears to prompt your skin to repair itself and boost collagen and elastin. Botox is great for preventing fine lines and wrinkles, while microneedling can help heal acne scarring, stretch marks and hyperpigmentation. Neither is "better" — they simply suit different goals.