Why I love this underrated treatment — and why modern microneedling isn’t what it used to be.
Discover why medical microneedling is one of our favourite skin rejuvenation treatments at Elizabeth Harris Medical Cosmetics, our medical aesthetics clinic in Gurnard, Cowes, on the Isle of Wight. From fine lines and enlarged pores to acne scarring, pigmentation and uneven skin texture, microneedling can be a versatile treatment for improving the overall quality and appearance of your skin.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I’m passionate about treatments that genuinely improve skin quality.
Not simply treatments that give you a temporary boost, but treatments that can help your skin look healthier, stronger and more resilient over time.
That’s exactly why microneedling remains one of my favourite skin treatments.
And yet, it’s often surprisingly underrated.
When I mention microneedling to patients at my medical aesthetics clinic on the Isle of Wight, I’m sometimes met with a slightly nervous expression.
I know what they’re thinking.
Isn’t that the treatment that leaves you red and covered in scabs?
Thankfully, modern microneedling has come a very long way.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that uses very fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries within the skin.
This stimulates the skin’s natural healing response and encourages the production of collagen and elastin — two important proteins responsible for the skin’s structure, firmness and resilience.
The result?
Rather than simply masking an issue, microneedling is designed to work with your skin’s natural processes to help improve its texture, tone and overall quality.
And that’s what I love about it.
Modern Microneedling Is Very Different
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding microneedling comes from the idea that deeper always means better.
It doesn’t.
The skin on your forehead isn’t the same as the skin around your mouth. The delicate area around the eyes has different needs again, while an area of acne scarring may require an entirely different approach.
Your skin is individual — so your treatment should be too.
Modern microneedling treatments can be carefully tailored to different areas of the face and to the concerns we’re trying to address.
Rather than treating every inch of skin in exactly the same way, treatment depth and technique can be adjusted according to your skin, its condition and your desired outcome.
That level of control is one of the reasons I enjoy performing microneedling so much.
Why I Choose Skinpen® Precision in Clinic
When it comes to microneedling, the device you use matters. That’s why I choose SkinPen® Precision for treatments in my clinic.
SkinPen was the first microneedling device to receive FDA clearance and has been specifically designed to provide controlled, consistent and precise microneedling treatments.
For me, using a clinically established, medical-grade device is an important part of providing what I consider to be gold-standard microneedling.
SkinPen’s precision allows me to tailor treatment to the individual areas of your skin, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. It also uses sterile, single-use needle cartridges, which is an important consideration when performing a professional skin treatment.
Ultimately, it’s not simply about having the latest device — it’s about combining quality technology, appropriate technique and clinical experience to deliver a treatment that is carefully tailored to your skin.
What Can Microneedling Help With?
One of the things I love most about microneedling is its versatility.
Depending on your individual skin and treatment plan, it may be used to improve the appearance of:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Enlarged or open-looking pores
- Uneven skin texture
- Acne scarring
- Pigmentation and uneven skin tone
- Thinning or ageing skin
- Dull or tired-looking skin
- Overall skin quality and rejuvenation
A real example of acne-scar improvement following microneedling
This before-and-after photograph shows the appearance of acne scarring before and following a course of microneedling treatment. As with any aesthetic treatment, results vary from person to person, and the number of treatments required will depend on the individual and their skin.
Sometimes the treatment can be relatively superficial, focusing on improving radiance, texture and the appearance of pores.
Other times, a deeper approach may be appropriate for concerns such as scarring or more established lines.
There is no one-size-fits-all microneedling treatment.
And that’s important.
A good treatment should start with an assessment of your skin rather than simply selecting a standard setting and treating every patient in exactly the same way.
How I Explain Microneedling to My Patients
I often use a slightly unusual analogy.
Think of your skin like a mattress.
The collagen is a little like the cushioning inside the mattress, while elastin is more like the springs that help it bounce back.
As we age, our skin naturally produces less collagen and elastin. The structure gradually changes, and we can start to notice things like fine lines, loss of firmness and changes in texture.
Microneedling creates a controlled stimulus that encourages the skin’s natural repair processes, including activity from cells called fibroblasts, which play an important role in collagen and elastin production.
So, rather than simply making the surface of the skin look temporarily smoother, we’re encouraging the skin to work from within.
I like to think of it as restoring the mattress from the inside rather than simply putting a new sheet over it.
The goal is healthier-looking, better-quality skin — not simply a short-lived cosmetic effect.
Is Microneedling Painful?
This is another question I’m asked regularly.
Everyone’s experience is slightly different, but professional microneedling treatments are designed with patient comfort in mind.
Depending on the device, treatment depth and area being treated, a topical anaesthetic may be used to make the procedure more comfortable.
During your consultation, I’ll explain exactly what to expect and what will be appropriate for your skin.
What About Downtime After Microneedling?
This is probably the biggest concern I hear.
Many people remember stories of microneedling leaving the skin extremely red, sore or scabby for days.
Modern professional treatments can be much more controlled.
My own SkinPen® treatment — immediately afterwards and five hours later
I thought it would be useful to show you my own skin following a SkinPen® treatment. The photograph on the left was taken immediately after treatment, while the photograph on the right was taken just five hours later. As you can see, there was some redness immediately afterwards, but it had already settled considerably within a few hours.
Downtime varies according to the individual and how the skin has been treated, so I’ll always give you realistic aftercare advice rather than promising that everyone will look exactly the same afterwards.
For some patients, the initial redness settles relatively quickly.
If a deeper treatment is appropriate, you may remain pink for longer.
The important thing is that treatment should be tailored to your skin and performed with appropriate technique and equipment.
And, of course, aftercare matters too.
Can You Have Microneedling During the Summer?
Yes — but it needs a little planning.
After microneedling, your skin can be more sensitive, so I always advise patients to be sensible about sun exposure and particularly diligent with sun protection.
If you’re planning a sunny holiday, we can discuss the timing of your treatment so that your skin has appropriate time to recover beforehand.
In fact, good sun protection is something I recommend as part of almost every skin-health plan.
After all, there’s little point investing in your skin and then neglecting one of the biggest contributors to visible skin ageing.
My Favourite Part? Seeing the Change in Skin Quality
One of the most rewarding things about offering microneedling on the Isle of Wight is seeing how patients’ skin develops over time.
Recently, I shared one patient’s microneedling journey, and watching the improvement in her skin quality, texture and overall confidence has been fantastic.
This patient’s skin journey was captured using our OBSERV® 520x skin analysis system, with images taken before treatment and after a course of three SkinPen® Precision microneedling treatments. The images allow us to look more closely at changes in the appearance of the skin, including texture and overall skin quality, under different lighting conditions.
She has genuinely become one of microneedling’s biggest fans — and now happily tells everyone about it!
We’ll be sharing her before-and-after photographs so that you can see her journey for yourself.
Of course, every patient is different and results will vary. Your skin, starting point, treatment plan and response to treatment are all individual.
But this is exactly why I love looking beyond quick fixes and focusing on long-term skin quality.
Is Microneedling Right for You?
If you’re considering microneedling, the best place to start is with a consultation.
Microneedling isn’t automatically the right treatment for every skin concern or every person. A thorough assessment allows us to look at your skin, discuss what you’d like to improve and decide whether microneedling — or another treatment — is the most appropriate option.
If you’re looking for microneedling on the Isle of Wight, I’d love to help you understand what the treatment could realistically achieve for your skin.
Sometimes the treatments we overlook are the ones that can make the biggest difference.
And for me, microneedling is one of them.
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