Yes, microneedling works, especially for acne scars and fine lines. In adults 22 and older, the FDA has cleared some devices for three jobs: acne scars on the face, wrinkles on the face and scars on the belly. Results build over a series of treatments, and some improvement can show within weeks.
Below is what the FDA, the American Academy of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic and Time say, goal by goal. You will also see why sources disagree, when results show and who should check with a doctor before booking. Our licensed estheticians do microneedling in Fenton.
Microneedling Benefits and Results: What the Evidence Supports
Is microneedling effective? For many skin goals, yes. Microneedling uses fine needles to make tiny injuries in the top layers of skin.
Your body repairs them and makes more collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm. That much is well described.
The list below shows each goal and how strongly the sources support it.
Tap a goal to see what the sources say about it.
Acne scars Strongest support
The FDA has cleared some microneedling devices to improve the look of facial acne scars. The American Academy of Dermatology says acne scars often need 3 to 5 treatments, 2 to 4 weeks apart.
The AAD says studies found this plan can fade acne scars by 50% to 70%, and that results appear gradually as your body makes new collagen. Researchers continue to refine the best number of treatments and the best needle depth.
Facial wrinkles and fine lines FDA cleared
Some devices also have clearance for facial wrinkles. Time says research shows microneedling can improve fine lines and wrinkles.
One journalist wrote at GoodRx that after four sessions six weeks apart she saw a little change in her acne scars and got compliments on her glow. That is one person’s experience, not a study.
Pores, rough texture and uneven tone Promising
Time and Cleveland Clinic both list enlarged pores, uneven texture and discoloration as reasons people choose microneedling.
Ask your provider what change you can reasonably expect for your skin, and how many treatments a plan includes.
Stretch marks Promising
Stretch marks appear on both the Cleveland Clinic and AAD lists of uses.
The FDA clearance covers abdominal scars. Ask your provider how stretch marks fit into your plan.
Sagging skin Ask your provider
Loose or crepey skin is on the Cleveland Clinic list of reasons people try it.
Skin tightening comes mainly with radiofrequency microneedling, which adds heat, says Time. That is a different device, so ask your provider which one a plan uses.
Serums, PRP and hair Early research
The FDA has cleared devices for the uses above. Hair loss and add-ons such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are still being studied.
Studies of PRP with microneedling show mixed results so far, and research on serums is growing, according to Time.
Use this list to pick questions for your provider. For deep scars or a medical skin condition, a dermatologist is a good first stop.
Why Do Microneedling Results Sound So Different Online?
Every page below is from a medical center, a medical society, a federal agency or a news outlet that quotes dermatologists. They still give different answers. This is the range, so you can see why a friend, a clinic and a website may not agree.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Question | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| When results show | AAD: some improvement within a few weeks, full results usually several months. Cleveland Clinic: 3 to 6 months. Time: the first visits may show little, because collagen builds slowly. |
| How many treatments | AAD: 3 to 5 for acne scars, 2 to 4 weeks apart. Cleveland Clinic: several, 3 to 8 weeks apart. Time: space them at least one month apart. |
| How big the change is | AAD: acne scars fade 50% to 70% in studies. Time: improvements in texture, pores and fine lines. The GoodRx writer: a glow and a little change in acne scars. |
| How long it lasts | AAD and Cleveland Clinic: a yearly touch-up. Time: some people repeat it a few times a year. FDA: results may be temporary. |
| Skin tone and color changes | Cleveland Clinic: no risk of discoloration. Time and the FDA: dark or light spots can happen, more often with darker skin or radiofrequency devices. |
When a provider quotes a success rate, ask which study it comes from. That helps you compare places.
Researchers are still comparing doses, such as how often to treat and what needle length is best, as a Guardian column points out. A 2024 medical review says results last several months to years, depending on skin, the concern and the depth.
How Long Does It Take to See Microneedling Results?
Plan for months, not days. Look for these signs at each stage, and do not expect more yet.
Sunscreen matters the whole way. Sun protection helps keep results, says the AAD. Our microneedling aftercare guide covers the first two weeks day by day.
Ask your provider how you will track progress. Photos in the same light before each visit make small changes easy to see.
Does Microneedling Work for Wrinkles? Microneedling vs Botox
Microneedling can soften fine lines. Some devices have clearance for facial wrinkles, and deep lines may call for other options too. Microneedling and Botox do different things, so they are not direct swaps.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Microneedling | Botox | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Makes tiny injuries so skin makes more collagen (Cleveland Clinic, Time). | Blocks nerve signals to a muscle so the injected muscle cannot tighten (Cleveland Clinic). |
| How long it lasts | Months, with a touch-up about once a year (AAD, Cleveland Clinic). | About 3 to 4 months, then retreatment (Cleveland Clinic). |
| How you get it | Fine needles, with numbing cream first, over a series of visits. | Small injections into specific muscles, in a visit of about 10 minutes. |
We offer microneedling and do not offer Botox or other injectables. We compare them here only to help you choose. For deep lines, ask a dermatologist which one fits.
Microneedling Pros and Cons
- Little downtime. You can return to work or school right away and skip makeup for 24 hours (AAD).
- Some devices are FDA cleared for facial acne scars and facial wrinkles.
- A small area can take 15 minutes and a large area a few hours (Cleveland Clinic).
- It works on your own skin. There is no implant and no surgery.
- Results build over several treatments, and a yearly touch-up helps them last (FDA, AAD).
- Redness, swelling and peeling for a few days are common (FDA).
- Rare risks are infection, scarring and dark or light spots, and a trained provider lowers them (FDA, Cleveland Clinic).
- Researchers are still refining the best dose (Guardian, Time).
Is Microneedling Worth It? A Quick Test
Microneedling suits people who like steady results. Use the two lists below.
Microneedling is more likely worth it if:
- Your goal is mild acne scars or fine lines, the uses with the most support.
- You can plan three or more visits over several months.
- You will wear sunscreen every day, which the AAD says helps keep results.
- You like gradual changes that build over time.
A dermatologist may be the better first stop if:
- You are aiming for deep wrinkles or sagging skin, which may call for other treatments too.
- Your scars are deep. A dermatologist can judge them and compare treatments.
- You are considering a home roller or pen. No microneedling device has FDA clearance for over-the-counter sale, so ask your esthetician first.
- You want to budget first. Ask any provider for the number of visits, then do the math.
Not sure yet? Our consultation covers your goals and skin history first. See microneedling treatment details and pricing.
Is Microneedling Safe? Who Should Wait or Ask a Doctor First
Time quotes dermatologists who call it very safe when a trained provider does it. Common effects are bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching and peeling, which usually pass in days or weeks, per the FDA.
Tell your provider your full health history. These are the groups the sources say to check first.
- Keloid history. A tendency to raised scars is a reason to skip it on both the AAD and Cleveland Clinic lists.
- A weakened immune system, or skin cancer in the area. Skip it, says the AAD.
- Blood thinners or a bleeding disorder. Microneedling can cause bleeding (FDA).
- Eczema, psoriasis, rashes, frequent cold sores or diabetes. Talk to your provider first (FDA, Time, Cleveland Clinic).
- Active infection, open wounds, painful pimples or a recent tan or sunburn. Wait until these clear (AAD, Time).
- Isotretinoin (an acne medicine). Wait at least one month after the last pill (AAD).
- Allergy to numbing medicine. Tell your provider before the numbing cream goes on (FDA).
If any line fits you, ask your doctor before you book. Nothing here is medical advice.
Choosing a Microneedling Provider: Questions to Ask Before You Book
The AAD, the main U.S. society of dermatologists, recommends a board-certified dermatologist for medical skin goals.
Time points readers to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Cleveland Clinic allows a plastic surgeon, dermatologist or aesthetician, as long as they have experience. The FDA wants a provider with special training in microneedling.
The setting matters less than the training, the device and the plan. Ask any provider:
- Which device do you use, and what is it cleared for?
- Do you use a new needle cartridge for each client and each visit?
- How deep will you treat for my goal, and why?
- How many visits do you plan, how far apart, and how will we judge progress?
- Who will treat me, and what training do they have?
- What should I do if my skin reacts badly?
At our spa, licensed estheticians do each treatment with FDA-cleared devices after a consultation about your goals and skin history. For a medical skin condition, check with your dermatologist first.
Book Microneedling in Fenton
Book a microneedling visit at our spa, 50 Fenton Plaza. A consultation on your goals and skin history comes first, then 60 to 90 minutes with numbing cream.
Clients come to us from Ballwin, Arnold and Valley Park.
Treatment areas, packages and prices are on our microneedling page. You can also call 1-636-492-2668.
Microneedling Questions, Answered
These are questions the sections above do not answer.
No source sets an upper age limit. Your health history and your skin matter more than your birthday.
Skin type is not a barrier: Time says microneedling suits all skin types. The AAD calls it safe for all skin tones when a trained provider does it.
Some people get a mild breakout or irritation after treatment, and acne flares are rare, says Time. Tell your provider if you get a flare, and do not squeeze or pick at the bumps.
Less than a professional treatment, say the sources. Home products give less noticeable results and carry risks, including infection, scarring, and spreading warts or herpes across the skin, says the AAD.
Home devices do not reach deep enough to boost collagen, says Time. The Guardian column notes that home tools carry less risk of side effects but also less chance of improvement.
No. It adds heat to the needles, and Time calls it more advanced and dependent on the operator. When done wrong it can cause burns, dark spots or loss of fat under the skin, Time says.
Time also notes that the FDA issued a safety communication on these devices in 2025. Ask any provider which kind your plan uses.
Keep reading: meet Sarah Hankammer, who owns the spa, or see how microneedling stacks up against chemical peels. Curious about light-based care? Our red light therapy for skin guide covers the research.
References
- FDA consumer update: microneedling devices, benefits, risks and safety
- American Academy of Dermatology: Microneedling can fade scars, uneven skin tone and more
- Cleveland Clinic: Microneedling, What It Is, Uses, Benefits and Results
- Cleveland Clinic: Botox (Botulinum Toxin Injections)
- Time: Does Microneedling Work, and Is It Safe?
- The Guardian: Does microneedling work? A column on the quality of the research
- GoodRx: Is Microneedling Really Worth It?
- Cureus (PMC): Microneedling in Dermatology, a Comprehensive Review
General information only, not medical advice. Ask your own doctor or another licensed provider about your skin.