Ok, so I totes love working on my face as much as possible. I love lasering the sh*t out of it, getting facials, getting cryo facials, using different serums, getting chemical peels, trying new products, getting botox…really anything that will help me ease into aging a little more gracefully, I’m into it. But because I’m aging and the collagen and elastin in my body are decreasing with time, more fine lines and ice pick are beginning to pop up. And I’m not a fan.
I go to my esthetician regularly (you can see my favorite treatments and products here), trying to get in once a month, but I asked her if there was anything I could do at home to help more with the aging signs. That’s when she handed me a .25mm microneedle! She said she uses hers daily and her skin is truly magnificent! (if you are in Denver, I’ll have her information at the end of this post!)
Microneedling is a small handheld device with thin needles that creates tiny punctures in the top layer of the skin, which makes new collagen and elastin, and helps products penetrate deeper into the skin. Using a microneedle can improve:
- skin texture
- firmness
- scars
- pore size
- stretch marks
And since microneedling creates a pathway for topical treatments to get deeper into the skin, it should be combined with a product you love, like a vitamin rich serum or a peptide. Right now, I’m using a vitamin a treatment, but be careful using that if you are new to microneedling because it could be a little too harsh on the skin to start. There are a million different products out there to use, but after hearing multiple bloggers and friends recommend this youth oil, I think I will be adding that to my routine soon!
I created a short video for you guys to show how I use my .25mm microneedle but here is a little written review, as well!
- I wash my face with this mandelic acid cleanser
- I clean my face with mandelic acid pads
- I put my vitamin a treatment on my cheek and use my .25mm microneedle to roll 10 times vertically in each spot around my chin, mouth, cheek and eye, then horizontally and diagonally each way. Then I put the vitamin a treatment on once more in the spots I just rolled.
- Then I do my other cheek area. Then my forehead area. Then I fill in any spots that I missed (meaning they are not red).
- After I finish microneedling, I put on a prescribed hydroquinone cream to help reduce dark spots on the skin.
- Then I put on my night cream, neck cream and hand cream.
Remember, your face will be red and a bit tender, which is why I do it at night and not in the morning! And just a warning, you should do a test area first before you start any sort of regimen since an allergic reaction to the serum could happen.
They say that results can take up to 8 weeks to see, and I can’t say I see amazing results from my time spent using a microneedle on my own face. BUT I also don’t see results daily from the food I eat, or the time I spend in the gym, or the probiotics I take, or the collagen I drink. I trust all of those things to continue to work over time so I can age gracefully. And hopefully someday get rid of these ice pick scars that piss me the hell off!
If you are in the Colorado area, I HIGHLY recommend checking out my esthetician that has completely changed my skin. Every time I see her, my skin improves. My pore size looks better, my skin is softer, and the texture is smoother. And since I still deal with some adult acne, she always does a treatment that helps my acne out! She’s truly amazing! I am so lucky to have found her! And if you’re not in Denver, I’m working on having her on the podcast to talk about her background so hopefully you can find a trustworthy person in your area!
- Shawn at Cherry Hills Facial Aesthetics 720-459-7960
Remember that I am not a professional, a doctor or an esthetician. See a professional before starting any sort of regimen.
Please please do an eye makeup tutorial soon! You’re always killing it in the eye shadow department.
i have one! https://paleomg.com/beauty-vlog-how-i-do-my-makeup/
Do you use the derma roller every night or just a few times a week?
usually just a few times a week because i get lazy
Disclaimer- I promise I’m not trying to sell you anything. Just curious if you have ever tried beautycounter and what your opinion was? I thought I had seen a few friends of yours are consultants, so I had assumed you’d tried it!
i’ve only tried a few things, but i actually just ordered some new products that they recently came out with and i’m going to try it out and let you know what i like soon!
Ahh I’m excited to hear what you think. Their products totally changed my skin, I am obsessed!
great vlog! I saw these micro needlers maybe like 13 years ago, and my 22 year old self said “nah i don’t need it” so i never looked into again… until now. it would be awesome if your esthetician would be on your podcast, I was just thinking of asking you if she could be a guest.
fingers crossed!! she is a super busy bee so hoping we can make it work at some point!
Julie, I found your blog two years ago and it changed my life. You inspired me to eat whole food (I’m not strict anything, just strictly happy) and take the leap to try cross fit. Needless to say, my life is much healthy and happier because of it. Recently, my husband and I moved to Indonesia so I could finish some research for my dissertation. It’s been a difficult transition considering cockroaches the size of my foot and pythons that eat grown adults. But a few times a week I make my way to a hotel to use their WI-FI and read your blog. It brings back that sense of community that is defiantly lacking in a new country with culture shock and isolation. I cannot wait to try all these new recipes when we return in June 2018! Keep the posts coming! Love you girl!
awwwww that’s so damn awesome!! so glad i could a little sunlight in a tough time. that would be such a culture shock and so hard being away from your friends and family. i hope time goes by fast but i hope you still enjoy all your time there!
is your skin more sensitive to the sun if you micro needle? i’ve been nervous about that!
i haven’t noticed that but i keep my face under a hat whenever i’m in the sun for very long
Thank you! This is super helpful and funny AF. All things I need in my life.
thanks, natalie! xoxox
How many times per week are you micro needling? I have one but I forget to use it so I’m not seeing much benefit. I need to get in a regular routine.
i try to do it every day but it’s usually 3x a week because i get lazy
I know you have mentioned you struggle with cystic acne, or had in the past. I have this same issue and am wondering whether this had helped prevent cystic acne. Do you have other recommendations for treatment and prevention of cystic acne that have worked for you? Any direction would be appreciated. Thanks, and I love your blog and podcast!
no, i haven’t used it for acne issues or prevention, just acne scarf
Hi Julie what is the peptide you were mentioning. I am sorry for not being knowledgeable about the products. And what are the best budget friendly products that I can use. Lastly do I need to do this daily or once a week is enought. I want to do it gor my open pores and acne scar problems.
Thank you
Smriti
i mention it in the post – i use a vitamin a (https://products.beyondcomplexion.com/shop/skin-conditioners/vitamin-a-exfoliating-therapy-with-lactic-acid/) and i just got this to try (http://rstyle.me/n/csyr7nbq557)