The short answer is no, microneedling at home isn’t remotely as effective as microneedling from a qualified medical provider like those at About Face Aesthetics. The roller devices used for at-home microneedling enter and exit your skin at an angle, creating an excess of damage. Many people also struggle to keep the device as clean as it needs to be, so they end up just pushing bacteria into their skin.
Microneedling at a Glance:
Treatment Length:
30 Minutes
Number of Sessions:
3 - 6
Duration of Results:
3 - 5 Months
Where it Treats:
Face, Hands, Legs, Stomach, & Hips
Microneedling
The gold standard of collagen induction treatments
Did you know you can transform your skin in as little as a week, with practically no downtime? SkinPen microneedling and microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) make it possible! The first FDA-cleared microneedling device, SkinPen achieves amazing results for tightening and improving your skin. Our Morpheus8 and Vivace devices add radiofrequency power for an extra boost.
About Microneedling
What It Treats
Fine Lines
Age Spots
Sun Spots
Hyperpigmentation
Rosacea
Melasma
Scars & Acne Scars
Stretch Marks
Loose Skin
Bringing You Results
The science of microneedling
While information like “fine needles” and “hundreds to thousands of microwounds” can make microneedling sound scary, it’s actually a very well-tolerated procedure with innovations that decrease trauma to the outer layer of skin and instead work beneath the skin to stimulate collagen through your body’s natural wound-healing process.
Your Treatment Options
Our microneedling devices
SkinPen
SkinPen is the original microneedling device and remains one of the most popular aesthetic treatments for its collagen-inducing properties. With 14 tiny needles, it creates controlled microwounds to stimulate healing.
Morpheus8 RF Microneedling
Morpheus8 uses the same basic modality as SkinPen microneedling—it uses tiny needles to create microwounds. The addition of radiofrequency energy penetrates more deeply into the skin for even more collagen stimulation.
Vivace RF Microneedling
Vivace is the latest FDA-cleared microneedling device. It uses a precision robot motor for a more comfortable experience that gives immediate and ongoing results.
Virtual Consultation Tool
Is microneedling part of your treatment plan?
Learn more about what aesthetic treatments might be right for you from the comfort of your couch!
Comfort Catalog
A more comfortable microneedling experience
Topical Numbing
Topical numbing creams provide effective pain relief for moderately uncomfortable skin treatments.
Pronox
Pronox is a 50/50 mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Often called “laughing gas,” it relieves anxiety and pain.
Lidocaine Injection
For a deeper level of numbing, we can utilize lidocaine injections.
Getting the most out of your microneedling
Following our pre-care and post-care advice helps ensure successful results from your Sculptra injection.
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Tell us if you have previously had to endure facial cold sores or herpes break-outs. We can prescribe medication to minimize the chances and duration of a possible break-out.
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Please tell us when scheduling if you know you bruise easily, and we can make suggestions for products to take beforehand to reduce the risk of bruising. For example, eating fresh pineapple a week prior to your appointment can help reduce the likelihood of bruising.
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Try to eat a small snack before your appointment. Having food in your stomach during a microneedling treatment will help prevent you from feeling light-headed or faintish.
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Consuming blood thinners for 5 days before your treatment. The most likely products patients would take include aspirin, St. John’s wort, fish oil, vitamin E, and alcoholic beverages (these are all anti-coagulators and will increase the likelihood of bruising and bleeding at the injection site).
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Scheduling your treatment within 3 weeks of any big event. Any time your skin breaks, there is a chance of bruising or swelling. Make sure to give your body plenty of healing time before a big event in case this occurs.
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Coming to the appointment with any facial products applied. Some of the things you want to avoid before Botox or other injections are makeup, moisturizer, and sunscreen (though if you have to come in with these on, we will wash your face).
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Use cold compresses like ice packs that help reduce bruising and swelling
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Use a mild moisturizer or healing ointment on the treatment area
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Sleep on a clean pillowcase until you're fully healed, this prevents any bacteria from entering your skin
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Use a mineral-based SPF 30 broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen 24 hours after treatment
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Make sure to stay hydrated and drink lots of water, as this will help everything work to its full capacity
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Remember to ask about follow-up appointments!
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Contact us if you’re experiencing any severe side effects after your appointment. Fevers or chills, discolorations around areas or areas warm to the touch, and severe pains are all issues that require immediate attention.
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Remember your results won't be immediate and generally appear about 2 weeks after your second treatment, then continue to improve over the following months
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Anything potentially irritating, like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, or retinol for at least 48 hours after treatment
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Applying makeup for at least 2 days after treatment (and always clean your brush before use!)
Discover the best microneedling device for you
The best way to find out what treatments are right for you is to visit for a face-to-face chat.
Microneedling FAQs
Whether RF microneedling is better than regular microneedling is a truly personal thing. When working together with you, we may find that microneedling suits your needs perfectly, whereas someone else may find RF microneedling as the better option. We provide both treatments to ensure everyone gets exactly what they need.
How long your microneedling results last depends on you and your habits at home! We encourage all of our patients to invest in medical-grade skincare products to ensure their skin gets the best care possible at all times, plus we can work with you to choose the very best ingredients for your needs.
Vivace procedures are the only microneedling treatment services with a precision robotic motor that lowers discomfort compared to any other microneedling options currently available on the market. In addition, our Vivace microneedling in Philadelphia, PA, is both immediate and ongoing, so you’ll experience long-term improvement and instant results! Transform the look and feel of your skin with this cutting-edge procedure.
Collagen Induction Therapy
After it is applied to topically-numbed skin, the sterile microneedles are used to create microscopic channels in the dermis of the skin. These channels stimulate collagen production in the body. During this time, the radio-frequency energy is delivered to varying depths of penetration throughout the skin.
Wound Healing Mechanisms
The Vivace microneedles are insulated except for the endpoint, and electrodes of the microneedle deliver bi-polar energy into the dermis. This thermal energy facilitates a natural wound-healing process that promotes the remodeling of collagen, elastin, and wound contraction, which enhances skin laxity.
Blue & Red Light Emitting Diode
During our Vivace microneedling treatment in Philadelphia, PA, pulses of light activate skin cells to continue increasing collagen production and moisture levels in the skin to enhance texture and tone.
No matter why you’re considering microneedling treatment for your skin, an About Face professional is only a phone call away for Philadelphia residents. Our entire team is dedicated to going above and beyond for clients so that they have the best RF microneedling experience possible!
Acne Scars
Tired of being embarrassed by the acne scars on your face but aren’t sure how to address them? Our team knows how and has experience helping countless clients with their acne predicaments. With our Vivace microneedling for acne scars, you can look forward to clearer, more radiant skin.
Skin Tightening
Additionally, our professional microneedling in Philadelphia can also help tighten skin. Anyone who is experiencing sagging skin or wrinkles—due to age or other factors—can schedule a visit to About Face Skin Care’s office for this cutting-edge procedure. While we can’t turn back time, our Vivace microneedling for skin tightening technology can help restore youthful smoothness to your skin.
A SkinPen Device is an advanced tool that utilizes tiny needles to create micro-injuries to the skin. By doing so, it stimulates the skin’s ability to repair itself and make new collagen and elastin for a healthier, younger-looking appearance. Some people refer to the treatment as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT).
Notably, SkinPen microneedling treatments are safe for all skin types. Because there isn’t any heat used, there is a low risk of an inflammatory response— this can happen in darker skin types after a laser treatment.
Acne Scar Treatment
At About Face Aesthetics, we specialize in a variety of treatments for acne—in fact, it’s one of the reasons why our business came to be. If you develop acne scars on your face that you can’t get rid of, then SkinPen can take care of it. Our SkinPen microneedling acne scar treatment will help stimulate your skin’s natural repair process so that it heals smoother and thicker than it would otherwise.
Neck Wrinkles
Are you tired of hiding your neck because of wrinkled skin? Then the team at About Face Aesthetics can offer a solution. Our SkinPen microneedling for treating neck wrinkles offers a procedure that’s minimally invasive and can create real results. During the procedure, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the SkinPen is safe, has little downtime, and is performed by our professionals.
The majority of patients note no pain, although some report a mild stinging sensation that is easily tolerated.
Because skin is a living and growing tissue, no skin enhancement is permanent—this also includes micro-needling. As a result, SkinPen microneedling is designed for incremental results because after obtaining the desired outcome, the body will continue to age. Thankfully, your new collagen should last for a while unless the skin is further damaged by smoking or other factors.
About Face Aesthetics values your safety above all else, and would never offer you microneedling in Philadelphia if:
- You have active cancer, open wounds, or active bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infections.
- You need to have retinoids (Retinol, Retin-A) or autoimmune (helminthic) therapy within 24 hours.
- You have used isotretinoin (Accutane) in the past six months.
- You are pregnant or lactating.
If you’re familiar with the microneedling process, then you’ll understand the basics of Morpheus8 treatment services. Like traditional microneedling procedures, Morpheus8 works by inserting tiny needles into the patient’s skin to create micro-injuries and stimulate the body’s natural recovery process. However, Morpheus8 differs by utilizing radiofrequency technology during the procedure. By emitting radio frequencies, the needles are able to reach a deeper layer of the skin than traditional microneedling treatments.
The heat generated by Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling encourages the production and revitalization of collagen. This protein gives the skin its structure and is found in many other parts of the body. Thanks to the effective collagen rejuvenation triggered by Morpheus8, a patient’s skin can be made to look smoother and more youthful. This makes the procedure a popular method to address wrinkles and other signs of aging.
As mentioned previously, Morpheus8’s ability to reach deeper layers of the skin is one of the reasons why it is an effective contouring procedure. It also can be performed in numerous areas throughout the body to address an array of skin conditions, granting it notable versatility. Furthermore, because Morpheus8 treatment services offer reliable results for every skin type, it is a highly accessible procedure.
Another major benefit of Morpheus8 is that the treatment process does not take very long—only around 30 minutes—and has very little downtime. It’s also minimally invasive, not very discomforting, and safer than other methods. Following a Morpheus8 treatment, you’ll start to see results after only a few days and more significant results once a few weeks have passed.
Morpheus8 for Treating Acne Scars
While Morpheus8 is commonly used to treat wrinkles, that is far from its only use. Many have turned to microneedling in Philadelphia to address acne scars, which are caused by the trauma inflicted on the skin by inflammation. Utilizing Morpheus8 for treating acne scars is a proven and reliable way to address the problem in a manner that is minimally invasive and safe for patients.
Morpheus8 for Treating Stretch Marks
Many patients have also used Morpheus8 for treating stretch marks. Whether it was caused by weight changes, pregnancies, age, or other factors, nobody wants to deal with stretch marks—but, with the power of radiofrequency technology, their appearance can be significantly reduced.
About Face Skin care
Philly’s Premier Med Spa Destination
For a med spa that you can feel confident trusting, About Face Aesthetics is the best in the Philadelphia area, serving Main Line, Delaware County, and surrounding suburbs for more than a decade.
We offer a wide variety of laser treatments, microneedling, chemical peels, facials, acne options, and cosmetic injections with personalized care others cannot match.