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Does Micro-needling Hurt?

Posted July 11, 2025 in Microneedling

Woman getting a microneedling procedure done

When someone mentions “needles” when talking about cosmetic treatments, some people may envision a painful, scary procedure. But micro-needling is far from painful. In this blog, we break down exactly what happens during a micro-needling session, what sensations you might feel, and why thousands of patients happily return for routine treatments despite those intimidating-sounding needles.

5 Min Read:

Table of Contents

What Is Micro-needling?

Micro-needling uses a special tool with extremely fine needles to create thousands of microscopic holes in the skin’s surface. These little injuries trick your body into healing mode, which pumps out fresh collagen and elastin. The cool part? Your outer skin stays mostly intact.

Micro-needling may be the treatment you’re looking for if:

  • You are concerned about those acne scars or fine lines that makeup never quite covers
  • You want tighter skin, but are not quite ready for a surgical procedure
  • You prefer gradual, natural improvements over dramatic overnight changes
  • Your skin is mostly healthy without active breakouts or rashes

How to Prepare for Your Micro-needling Session

Your skin needs special care before those tiny needles work their magic. Start your prep about a week before your session. Put away all your fancy skin products with retinol or acids. Your face needs to relax before treatment. Those strong ingredients can make your skin too sensitive when the micro-needling starts.

For your appointment day:

  • Wash your face clean (no makeup, lotion, or any other topical products on your skin) before arriving at your micro-needling session
  • Stay hydrated and bring a water bottle
  • Avoid alcohol for 24 to 48 hours before your session
  • Pick out loose clothes that won’t rub against your neck later

What Does a Micro-needling Session Feel Like?

Many first-time micro-needling patients are curious about what the treatment will feel like. When you arrive for your session, your aesthetic specialist will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the specified area. This ensures you will feel little to no discomfort or pain during the treatment.

When the actual micro-needling starts, your aesthetic specialist will pass the pen across your face with a specified amount of pressure. Most patients describe it as a light scratchy feeling with occasional tiny pressure points. Some patients feel more sensation on their forehead compared to their cheeks, but it’s nothing too intense or unbearable.

Afterward, your face may feel warm and slightly taut, with mild sensitivity similar to what dermatologists call a superficial inflammatory response. This temporary sensation typically subsides within 24 to 48 hours as your skin begins its collagen-building process.

Will My Face Hurt After Micro-needling?

Your skin goes through changes after the numbing cream stops working. Most patients feel warmth and tightness across their face for several hours. The sensation registers as mild discomfort rather than actual pain.

Redness appears within the first few hours. This happens because your body sends blood to repair those tiny punctures. Your aesthetic specialist will give you a special serum to apply that night. Follow their instructions as closely as possible and use only gentle products.

Skip makeup completely for 24 hours. Your skin needs to breathe while those micro channels close. Avoid touching your face, exercising, saunas, hot showers, or anything that raises your body temperature.

By the second day, redness typically fades significantly. Some patients notice light flaking as skin cells turn over. Apply a gentle moisturizer and SPF 30+ sunscreen until your skin returns to its typical appearance.

Is Micro-needling Worth It?

The stunning results make this treatment worth every penny for many patients. With micro-needling, the skin actually changes at the structural level rather than just looking superficially different for a few days.

Most patients start seeing real improvements after their very first treatment. While everyone has different goals, these benefits may make micro-needling worth considering:

  • Your skin feels baby smooth where it used to feel rough or bumpy
  • Acne scars finally start fading away
  • Fine lines around your eyes and mouth become less obvious
  • Dark spots from years in the sun blend more evenly with your skin

Recovery takes barely any time compared to more expensive treatments. You can usually get back to your regular routine by the next day. For what it costs versus what you get, micro-needling ranks among the best values in skin treatments today.

Need Professional Micro-needling in Fresno, CA?

At Aspire Medispa, your treatment includes Matrix Pro® technology. This system adds powerful radio frequency heat right through those same tiny needles. Your skin gets two types of stimulation at once. The results? Way better collagen production where you need it most.

Call (559) 435-8477 today or fill out our online form to get more information or schedule a consultation.