My Experience w/ Microneedling & Why I’m Obsessed

I just recently started getting microneedling done and I’M OBSESSED!! The main reason I’m doing microneedling is to improve acne scars and fine lines that I’m getting from aging. After just one 1.0mm microneedle treatment, I’ve seen amazing results!! I know my skin better than anyone and I also take close up photos almost every single day so I see every change that is happening with each passing day. Not always the best part of my job. But with just ONE treatment, my skin looks more plump, the lines around my mouth have diminished some, and my acne scars have improved. And that’s just from ONE treatment. I’m so damn pumped about it! I go to Marcy Tarango at Cherry Hills Facial Aesthetics (720-459-7960) for my botox, cyro t-shock (more details about that coming in the future), and now microneedling. She is amazing and you will be in awe of her absolutely stunning skin!

I asked what kind of questions you guys had on instagram stories so hopefully I answer all of them below! If I didn’t, feel free to leave a question here and I’ll answer it right away!

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How do you know if you’re a candidate for microneedling?

You talk to a professional! I am NOT a professional. I am just a person who now loves microneedling and all I can share is my own personal experience. Find an esthetician, find a dermatologist, or find another skincare professional who can see if microneedling is right for you!

What is microneedling and what is the purpose?

Maybe you’ve heard of at-home miconeedling that you can do with your own microneedle, but professional microneedling is on another level (from my experience). In a professional setting, microneedling involves the use of a needling device to create micro-injures in the skin which triggers the repair response. The  puncture of the needle creates a microscopic channel which makes the body begin to produce collagen and elastin to repair the “damage”. This results in better skin texture, firmness, reduction in scars, fine lines, and pore size, it diminishes the look of discoloration, and even helps with stretch marks!

How much does it cost?

At my esthetician’s office, it costs $250 per session for the entire face. The price will range depending on where you live and the esthetician you work with, along with the amount of surface area you are covering with your treatment.

How many treatments do you need?

It totally depends on the person and the results you are looking for, but they recommend 4-6 treatments about 4 weeks apart.

Do you have to continue doing these treatments long term?

You can’t just do one treatment and expect results. Think of it like this – you wouldn’t go into the gym and do one workout and expect to put on 20 pounds of muscle or lose 20 pounds. You wouldn’t even expect that after 6 times in the gym. Skincare is the same way. You’ll see some great results from 4-6 treatments, but we are always getting older, which means the skin is always getting older. Consistently keeping up with your skincare routine will help you see results long term. Consistency is always key.

What is the pain like?

It totally depends on the needle you use. I’ve done one treatment with the .5mm microneedle and could barely feel anything. But my second treatment with the 1.0mm microneedle was definitely more annoying. You’ll numb up before which helps, but it does tend to get a little painful towards the end as the numbing wears off. On a pain scale of 1-10, I would rate it a 5. I still think profractional is much more painful.

How long does it take to heal?

The recovery process for microneedling is pretty damn easy. Your face will be red the first day then for the next week or so, you’ll have tiny little dots on your face. But you can wear makeup by day 3 and it covers most of the tiny dots. I promise you, you’ll notice it more than other people. It took about 10 days for my skin to completely heal and show true results. But this is definitely a treatment you can do on a Friday and be good to go for work by Monday with a little makeup!

Can you do it while pregnant?

It’s not recommended. You pretty much can’t do anything when you’re pregnant.

Can you do it with active breakouts?

No. They can work around one or two breakouts, but if you have active cystic acne, it’s not recommended.

What are the perks if you don’t have acne scars?

Aging gracefully!! Even if you don’t have acne scars, you’re always aging which means your skin is constantly aging, too. Microneedling will help improve your skin’s texture, fine lines, and discoloration!

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Now I wanted to walk you through what the process visually looks like. Below is during the treatment. After you numb for a bit, she will wipe the numbing cream off, then use the microneedle on you, wipe away the remaining blood, add a stem cell product or other product, then move to another area. This blood wipes away and doesn’t continue bleeding since the holes created from the needle are microscopic.

PaleOMG Microneedling Experience

Below is a 7 day breakdown of what the skin looks like –

  • Day 1 – after the treatment, you skin is red with some dots.
  • Day 2 – the redness has mostly gone away and now you just have tiny little dots throughout your skin.
  • Day 5 – the redness is gone but the dots are slightly darker as they heal, but you can easily wear makeup at this point to cover it up.
  • Day 7 – a week out, the skin is beginning to fully heal with only a little discoloration throughout.

PaleOMG Microneedling Experience

I also wanted to show you what the skin looks like with some makeup on. This photo below is from day 3 and I only have some tinted moisturizer and bronzer on. The tinted moisturizer covers most of it up with only some discoloration and dots showing through.

PaleOMG Microneedling Experience

These comparison photos below are 10 days apart. I took the first photo right before my microneedling appointment then the second photo is 10 days after. For me, I can see a huge difference since it’s my own skin. The acne pockmarks on the cheek have improved and the fine lines around the mouth are looking more plump and less defined. And that’s just after ONE appointment. I cannot wait to see what my skin looks like after 6 treatments!

PaleOMG Microneedling Experience

UPDATE – Below is a photo taken 10 days after my second microneedling treatment. The scarring on my cheeks has improved a TON and the parentheses lines have become more softened and less defined.

PaleOMG Microneedling Experience

UPDATE – Below is a photo taken 10 days after my third microneedling treatment. My skin is looking a little different when it comes to color since I have melasma and it was triggered by being in two hot countries back-to-back. I even wore a hat every time I was outside, but melasma is triggered by hormones AND increase of internal body temperature so it’s tough to get away from. But if you can look past the color change, you’ll see a huge improvement in my fine lines and scarring on the cheeks. I’ve been so incredibly happy with the changes in my skin’s texture and how much the deep smile lines (parentheses lines) have diminished with each treatment. I’m SO happy with the results.

PaleOMG Microneedling Experience

UPDATE – Below is a photo taken 10 days after my fourth microneedling treatment. I could not be happier with the results from microneedling! I continue to be surprised each month with the progress I see! The lines around my mouth continue to improve and the scarring on my cheeks is barely visible at this point. This will definitely be a treatment I will be doing on a regular basis!

PaleOMG Microneedling Experience

To conclude – I LOVE MICRONEEDLING! The results after just one treatment have me hooked and I cannot wait for my next one. I’m planning to do 6 treatments 4 weeks apart, then I’ll decide with Marcy how often I should continue getting them. After 6 treatments, I’ll also add more photos to this post with an update on my skin! If you’re in Denver, I can’t recommend Marcy Tarango at Cherry Hills Facial Aesthetics (720-459-7960) enough! She is a miracle worker! Again, if you have ANY questions, I’m happy to answer them below! I hope this post helps and gives you a little insight into what this skincare treatment is like! I seriously can’t recommend it enough and can’t wait for my next appointment next week!

PaleOMG Microneedling Experience

Oh, Hi! I’m Juli.

I’m a food hoarder. And a really bad dancer. If you don’t know me well, you will probably not understand my humor. Therefore, I apologize ahead of time. Thanks for listening to my ramblings of my ever-changing life and trusting my kitchen mishaps. Your trust in me is appreciated.

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92 thoughts on “My Experience w/ Microneedling & Why I’m Obsessed”

    1. i can’t recommend word of mouth enough. that’s how i found my spot. a friend had beautiful skin so i asked her where she went and the rest is history. but you could also look for a medical esthetician because they will have a lot of school and experience. i started off at a plastic surgeon office when i first started a skincare routine.

  1. I love microneedling and have had it done four times. It really works wonders! Do you know what brand device your lady uses?

  2. Jamie Trembula

    YAY!!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and including before/after photos. I’ve been contemplating what to do about old acne scars and I am definitely going to be looking into microneedling now!! You look great!!

  3. Hi Juli:

    I recently had a micro needling treatment and loved it too. Durning the healing time I experienced a lot of dryness and flaky skin, did you? How did you treat? Any special products you used during the 7-10 days of healing that worked well.

  4. It’s really sad you hate yourself so much and are so obsessed with cosmetic self- improvements. Perhaps you were bullied in childhood but whatever the case, your deep psychiatric issues are very, very evident in your constant search for things to hate about your appearance. Look deep inside, what is it you’re running from that happened to you that is the cause for this obsession with self-correction and vanity? I feel very sorry for you. You should spend your effort on finding good mental health care and hopefully work with someone who can help you find self-love.

    1. thanks for your feedback Meg. i usually find that whenever i am feeling negative feelings towards another human being for the choices that they are making, it’s usually coming from a place of insecurity and jealousy. so i think through those feelings and i do a little soul searching to figure out what is missing in my own life. it’s been a really helpful technique that has helped me find happiness. i’m obviously not your jam and that’s ok! i hope you find what drives you and gets you excited.

      1. Bravo Juli! What a classy response to ugliness! So sorry you have to endure these types of criticism. Please keep posting your skin updates as someone who also suffers from acne scarring I find your posts helpful. Carry on!

      2. If wanting to better yourself or boost your self confidence is considered mental illness, then I am just as crazy as this blogger! I have been dermarolling for almost 8 years (only anfew times a year) so that must make me a complete nut job, but atleast I will look good in the psycho ward

      3. Yes Meg is clearly pretty envious, anyone has a right to feel great about themselves in various areas of their life. I love myself too and looking forward to my microneedling session this Sunday 😃🤗 YAY !! (Nothing wrong with preserving what one already loves ).
        Hey you keep enjoying your beauty !

    2. As another internet stranger coming across your comment… I believe some more empathy would probably go a long way in how you manage your relationships with others. I’m sure your intention was kind, but it comes across as a bit mean spirited and critical.

    3. She’s just taking care of herself. It’s not that serious. Taking care of yourself is different for everyone and this is what clearly makes her happy. Such an unnecessary comment. Just let people be happy and mind your business.

    4. Perhaps you are not a professional in the psychiatric field and shouldn’t be giving advice. This is her channel, her choice, her journey so maybe you should just not watch it. You were obviously looking at ways to to improve your own skin or curious otherwise your intentions would not have found you on her blog…….🧐

    5. Wow, you are the one looking up micro needling. Was it to insult someone? She is being helpful to us. Not everyone appreciates or even cares about opinions. Just because you can speak doesn’t mean you should.

    6. If your car gets old, don’t you go in for repairs? Skin is very similar, if we maintain it. If someone else can afford certain treatments and wants to help other people achieve the results they got- what does this have to do with your psychoanalysis of some “childhood bullying” or “deep psychiatric issues”. I understand some people take it to an extreme and that is a mental illness. But her blog post if far from that. May I ask you if perhaps you were bullied in school and now hide behind an electronic device to bring negativity to others? Your deep psychiatric issues are very, very evident in your comment on this post.

    7. Meg, it’s really sad that you hate yourself too much to invest in your own cosmetic self-improvements. Perhaps YOU were a bully back in high school, as your own deep psychiatric issues are very, very evident in your petty, pathetic search for things to judge/hate on other women about. Look deep inside, what is it that happened to you that is the cause for this obsession with correcting other women’s vanity, while clearly ignoring your own vain insecurities which clearly cause you to judge them in the first place? I feel very sorry for you. You should spend less effort hating on strangers online, and more effort searching for good mental health care and hopefully work with someone (preferably a therapist experienced with unaccountable, passive-aggressive narcissists) who can help you learn to love others as much as you claim to love yourself .

    8. You are so right ! She was probably bullied by you when she was little! And the worst part is that you are still around. So stop doing it, if you’re going to feel sorry, start feeling it for yourself. Thanks.

    9. Hey Meg! I am just a 40 something guy finding new lines on gravity’s roadmap of what is my face and looking for tips to age gracefully. Thank you Juli! This information is super helpful! I am glad to know the day after looks like a mean sunburn!

    10. Madison Ana Rose

      I was looking at anti-aging stuff for my mum, and I came across your comment. Serious cringe.
      You’re too grown to be so bitter.

      Sis, you need literal therapy cause you’re pressSsSSsed.

    11. WOW YOU ARE SO BOTHERED TO COME AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING THAT IS SUCH A PERSONAL CHOICE . WHY ARE YOU EVEN ON HERE I FOUND HER INFO VERY HELPFUL AS I MYSELF WANT TO GET THIS PROCEDURE DONE. PLEASE GET OUT OF HER PAGE IF YIU DONT LIKE WHAT SHE POSTS.

    12. Meg, YOU ARE THE ONE OBSESSED, coming here and leaving this nasty comment, YOU ARE THE ONE THAT REEEEALLY NEEDS PSYCHIATRIC HELP. I don’t feel sorry for you though, you sound AS MISERABLE AS A H4TER DESERVES TO BE. It’s her body, she’s not harming anyone else, so this is none of your effing business. Your comment is giving JEALOUSY FROM A LONG TIME AGO, my guess is you are actually somebody that bullied her and keeps coming back for more. GO GET A LIFE, YOU SH|TTY SCRAP OF A HUMAN.

    13. Seeking treatment that your skin loves triggering collagen release to improve your skin is not about self confidence it is about fighting the aging process naturally without using surgery to tighten skin looking like cat lady as so many actresses do. You do realize that your body doesn’t produce collagen like it did before the age of 25 and it goes down rapidly with time. Microneedling just encourages production of collagen to get back your youth having less wrinkles and firm skin eliminating sagging that comes with the aging process.

    14. When you look good you feel good Nothing wrong in looking after yourself as long as it’s not too extreme It’s not like she has any cosmetic surgery If we were all natural then we wouldn’t get our hair cut and styled or wear makeup or dress up We do these things to feel good in ourselves To say someone must hate themselves cos they like to feel and look good is actually very sad on your part Do you ever use creams etc on your skin to improve it Do you cut your hair to or let grow naturally All these things we do to look good Only becomes an obsession when it goes to the extreme like filler Botox lip enhancers etc all she’s doing is improving her skin You mention mental health Jesus I think you need to cop on to yourself just cos someone likes to look good We all are not natural beauties and some of us need a little help

  5. Hi Juli, Thanks for the info above it was very helpful and I’m so excited to try it! Would you recommend doing it after the summer sun season? I’m going to Cabo in a couple of weeks and Hawaii at the beginning of September plus I live in Vegas, so get tons of sun. Wondering if doing it doing it now would be counterproductive? Thanks again.

    1. if you’re not good about wearing a hat at all times, i would recommend waiting. i’m in the sun constantly, but you’ll really never find me without a hat so i’ve been doing microneedling throughout the summer. it just depends how you live your life!

  6. Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m curious at to what skincare products your esthetician recommended immediately after your procedure and during the healing process?

  7. Hi Julie – been following you for years. I also got to see Shawn and have had microneedling but at another location. Question for you – how do you compare the needling vs profractional treatment. I know the difference in healing but interested in the differences you have seen in your skin with one vs the other? Like why did you decide on needling and not continuing with profractional, etc. TIA!

    1. microneedling is just something i can do on a regular basis vs profractional. i’ve found that my skin looks more plump and supple from the regular microneedling. profractional goes much deeper so it’s better longterm, but microneedling can be done so frequently that it’s great for short term benefits. i hope that makes sense! i will definitely do microneedling more often, probably every 4-6 weeks or as often as i can, and do profractional once a year

  8. Thanks for sharing! Just did my first microneedling session last week. I’m pumped to see how my skin looks after a few more sessions. Do you think you’ll continue to do profractional on occasion?

    1. Thank you for sharing! I’m so grateful for you & all your content!! Had my first micro needling yesterday-exciting stuff! You make my day brighter everyday with your stories…and Jackson of course.

  9. I love watching your videos! I did the trinity laser which I liked but I broke out a month later which felt like a waste of money when I was trying to treat acne scars. Do you have any suggestions on acne treatment? I am getting married in two months and would love some advice! Keto has helped and so have probiotics but I still get cystic acne every month and don’t want to take antibiotics from the dermatologist.

    1. Try taking Chia seeds! They have cleared up my skin! I currently take 2 tsps 2X a day with food, like almond or goat yogurt. Also eliminating chocolate, concentrated sugars (like juice & honey) and dairy from a cow (goat & sheep do not make me break out).

      Thanks for your helpful post about microneedling Juli – you handled that nasty comment with such diplomacy!

  10. I have melasma as well and got an IPL treatment a year ago which really flared it! 🙁 Did you find that the microneedling made the melasma flare?

  11. Hi! Great post and very helpful! Have a question.. I have some acne scars, since you have done both fractional laser and microneedling, which one would you recommend the most?Which is more worth it? Thank you!
    Zoi

    1. i personally prefer microneedling right now because it’s not as painful and the recovery time is quicker. you do need more treatments though compared to profractional, so that’s something to keep in mind!

  12. Hi! I just got my first microneedling session today at a credible plastic surgeons office. However, my face is not really all that red. I have redness in certain spots (like parts of my forehead), but not so much on my cheeks, or entire face. Does that mean that the treatment isn’t working as well, or was done wrong?

    1. i’m not sure. there are a bunch of different microneedles out there and different size needles. i usually do a 1mm needle, if it’s below that i don’t really bleed nor do i get the same results. you may want to ask what size needle they are using!

      1. awesome, so this is all pre-laser, meaning these awesome results are solely from microneedling? Thank you for posting this helpful article, lovely lady!

        1. i consistently get different laser treatments done, but the results you’re seeing in these photos are from the microneedling because i wasn’t doing many laser treatments between those microneedling appointments

          1. Hi, I have just learned my colleague who is a nurse can do this procedure microneedling. She does not do this as her primary job. She has offered a free session to me. I do not have scars or discoloration, however, I do have some deep lines around the corners of my mouth. And some lines on my forehead. Would you say this procedure will help with my lines? They do bother me quite a bit. I’m concerned I’ll be spending hundreds of dollars after the initial free session to achieve the best results only to have them diminish over time. It seems like a very costly procedure to maintain. I’m looking for more long lasting results, any suggestions?

          2. microneedling definitely helps with fine lines. i’ve had better success with deeper lines with the halo laser treatment

  13. Hey 🙂 did you continue to get microneedling done? Have my first session in two weeks, and would love to see if you continued for more sessions or not.

    1. i think i did 8 or more sessions, but i haven’t in a while since i’ve had acne issues and it’s not great to have done when you have active acne

  14. Sometimes when I get cosmetic things done I end up feeling like I’m all about vanity!! But honestly, whatever makes you happy is key and having a good facial treatment is fun! I just got micro needling done for the first time. Your photos are clear, and great quality to really see the results. Mine was 550!! I am wondering if I could have gotten the same thing, and same quality work done for cheaper somewhere D: !

  15. Thank you for this information. I’ve had my first session and the only things that are worrying to me is that it’s been 5 weeks and I still have tiny dots most noticeably on my forehead and over my upper lip. Also around my nose it’s unusually tight and dry still. Did you experience that at all?

  16. Thank you for sharing your experience! So helpful! I am about to start my first of a round of 5 or 6, and wanted to see/hear realistic accounts as I go into it.

  17. Hi! I’m just now finding your blog. Thank you for sharing your experiences with these treatments! I’m in my early 40’s and have been overwhelmed with trying to figure out the best treatment for my skin. I’ve never had acne, but I do have discoloration and deep wrinkles on the forehead, larger pores now, and my skin is beginning to sag giving me jowls. Which treatment would you say gave you the most skin tightening (lift)? And for someone who has never worn foundation, would these treatments cause marks that stay behind? Thank you for your blog!

      1. I did my first microneedling with PRP.
        I have a low pain tolerance so it was a bit painful today.
        I haven’t heard of the halo laser, but it sounds good and maybe less painful.

      2. I am currently researching at home micro needling kits. I have found the Doctor Pen M8 seems to have the best reviews. But it also looks like you have to buy the lidocaine, salmon dna and hyaluronic acid plus a calming mask to put on afterwards. But the results I have seen are astonishing and it seems so much cheesier than going to a professional. Any thoughts? By the way you are beautiful and I definitely saw improvements for you!

        1. if you are good with putting yourself through some pain and trust yourself with that kind of thing, then AWESOME!! i’m sure you can get great results with it!! i prefer a professional because I don’t necessarily trust myself to actually do it on a regular basis, but that’s just me. you gotta do what works for you!

  18. I appreciate your blog and pictures about your experience as well as your feedback on the process. This treatment was suggested for me and I had no idea what it was. Until your post I also didn’t know that this isn’t a one and done type of thing. I’m 55 years old and my skin is ready for a rejuvenation. This might be just what I need. Thank you for sharing your journey!

  19. Great article! I had microneedling with PRP done almost 3 years ago and the aesthetician told me before the treatment that she was very aggressive and used the deepest setting possible and also did the nose, etc… (I know, shoulda seen the red flags lol). It was my first and only in-office procedure up until this past month when I joined a different medspa which I LOVE and am now considering this treatment again. I would love to revisit the procedure with aestheticians and PA’s that I trust. Thank you so much for providing such a thorough review and before and after pics.

    Oh yeah, and I paid $500 to be tortured for my first round of MN… The medspa where I am now a member, I get it for $160 which allows me to leave a fat tip and still save money. Love to take care of the folk who take care of me.

    p.s. I apologize for the chew-out response to Meg… I have a zero tolerance policy for outright haters, and your response was just much, much classier than she deserved lol 😉

  20. I bought my own micro-needling device and RF machine and am having outstanding results. I did have to do extensive research prior to starting but the experience is as good as it was with my aesthetician. The best part is that I’m saving hundreds of dollars and can now afford
    to use the devices every month.

  21. I really like your comparison of exercising to seeing results with treatments like this. I think far too often people expect a miracle with skin care regimens. It’s just not like that at all.

    Have you tried hot microneedling with radio-frequency? That would sure take things up a notch!

  22. Does she include a peel before the needling? My daughter had it done in Florida and they used a VI peel beforehand. I was wondering if that was too harsh for her? She has melasma around her lips.

  23. Thanks for writing about this. I’ve had one session so far just for fine lines under my eyes and on my cheeks down to my cheekbones. It’s been 3 weeks since my 1st session and those areas are dry (they were dry before anyway) but I can’t really see a difference in the lines yet. I’m booked in for 2 more sessions about a month apart. I’m hoping by then I’ll be able to start seeing a difference 🙂

  24. Hi Juli!

    I had my first microneedling appointment last Monday and before we started the esthetician showed me your photos (which I had already seen multiple times reading this post before hand).. and I was like “omg that’s Juli!” – pretty funny. Anyways, I had such a great experience.. I was very red for the first day but the next day there was barely anything. I feel like I can already see the results and I’m so excited for my next appointment in April. I really love your skin care posts and all the content you’re creating.. I’ve been following you since you started the blog and we’re posting kitchen dance videos and I’ve loved seeing how you’re constantly changing over the years. Xx

  25. Hi Juli,
    I am scheduled for my first microneedling this Friday. I’m very nervous and hoping I don’t regret this decision. I’m inspired by your photos. Reflecting back on the experience, would you still do this? Are you still having it done each year?

    FYI: I am reaching out to you because I want an unbiased opinion. Obviously, the people who make money off of cosmetic procedures will push it.

    Thanks,
    Tiffany

    1. no need to be nervous! yes, i got microneedling done a few times this past year while pregnant! and i still love it! i still prefer lasers over microneedling, such as the halo or moxi laser, but microneedling is amazing if you keep up with the recommended treatments!

  26. Finally I found a face that has the EXACT same issues I have. Im a tall slender active woman and the lines and sag around my mouth. I was looking into Halo laser treatment after a very bad and expensive experience with threading. I’m sold on trying this!

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