About Microneedling
Learn about microneedling and how it will transform your skin
What is microneedling?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a professional skin rejuvenation treatment that uses very fine sterile needles to create tiny microchannels in the surface of the skin. These controlled micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural healing response, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin - the proteins responsible for firm, smooth, youthful-looking skin.
During the treatment, the needling device glides across the skin, creating microchannels at a controlled depth. The skin immediately begins its natural repair process, increasing blood flow and releasing growth factors that rebuild healthy tissue. Over time, new collagen and elastin fibres form, plumping the skin and improving tone, texture and firmness.
Microneedling also enhances the absorption of skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or peptides, allowing them to penetrate up to three times deeper for more visible, long-lasting results. The treatment can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, minimize acne scars and pigmentation, refine pores, and promote firmer, smoother, and more radiant skin
Why should I be microneedling?
From your mid-twenties, your skin naturally begins to lose collagen and elastin. These are the proteins responsible for keeping it firm, smooth and youthful.
Between the ages of 25 and 30, collagen levels start to drop by about 1% per year and by your thirties, you may notice early signs of ageing such as fine lines, dullness and slower healing.
After forty, this decline accelerates, leading to sagging and visible wrinkles. After fifty, especially post-menopause, collagen can decrease by up to 30% within just a few years.
Microneedling helps counter this natural loss by triggering your body’s own repair process.
Using a pen-like device with fine, sterile needles, it creates thousands of tiny micro-channels in the skin. These controlled micro-injuries stimulate collagen and elastin production, strengthening and renewing your skin from within.
Over time, microneedling helps to:
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Improve texture and firmness
- Fade acne scars and pigmentation
- Tighten pores
- Boost product absorption
It’s a gentle, science-backed way to restore smoother, firmer and more radiant skin - safely and naturally from home with the right guidance.
What are the main benefits of microneedling?
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Improves skin texture and firmness
- Fades acne scars and pigmentation
- Minimises enlarged pores
- Smooths uneven skin tone
- Enhances product absorption
- Restores a healthy, radiant glow
- Helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks
Is microneedling safe for everyone?
Microneedling is suitable for most healthy skin types and can safely improve texture, tone, firmness and overall radiance when performed correctly. It’s ideal for anyone looking to refine pores, smooth fine lines and rejuvenate dull or uneven skin.
However, microneedling should be avoided on areas with active acne, eczema, cold sores, rosacea, open wounds or sunburn.
Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking blood thinners, using Roaccutane or prone to keloid scarring should always consult a medical professional before treatment.
🚫 Do not microneedle over any raised or flat moles on the face or skin tags on the neck or body.
🚫Do not microneedle over any cosmetic tattoos, tattooed eyebrows/lip liner or freckles.
Is microneedling painful?
Most users experience only mild discomfort during microneedling. For deeper treatments, a topical numbing cream can be applied 15–20 minutes before your session to ensure comfort.
Nano-needling, on the other hand, does not puncture the skin and is virtually painless, making it an excellent choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
How often should I microneedle & when will I see results?
Most people perform microneedling treatments every 4 weeks, depending on the needle depth and their skin’s healing time. This allows the skin to fully repair and rebuild collagen between sessions.
You’ll usually start to notice smoother, more radiant skin within 1–2 weeks, with full collagen results developing over 6–8 weeks.
For nano-needling, which is a gentler, non-invasive option, treatments can be performed once per week to maintain glow and enhance product absorption.
Is microneedling just for the face?
While microneedling is most commonly performed on the face, it’s also highly effective on other areas of the body. It can be used on the neck, chest (décolletage), hands, stomach, thighs and hips to help improve texture, firmness and the appearance of stretch marks or scars.
When treating beyond the face, always start with lower needle depths, ensure the skin is clean and smooth and use 36-pin cartridges for body areas. Avoid microneedling directly over bony areas and do not apply active ingredients like acids or retinoids afterwards.
Extending treatments to the neck and chest helps create a smooth, youthful glow that matches your face.
What are the needles made of and can I reuse them?
The needles are made from high-quality surgical stainless steel and titanium for precision, durability and safety.
Microneedling cartridges are designed for single use only - they should never be reused, as this can compromise both hygiene and skin safety. With each use, the needles become dull, increasing the risk of irritation and reducing treatment effectiveness.
You may use the same cartridge during a single treatment session across the face, neck, décolletage and body, but always start each new session with a fresh, sterile cartridge to protect your skin and maintain professional-grade results.
How does at home microneedling compare to clinical treatments?
At-home devices like the Ultima M8 deliver professional-style results using smaller, controlled needle depths - allowing for safer, more consistent treatments.
Best of all, each at-home microneedling session will save you thousands, as in-clinic treatments often cost over $400 per visit and typically require ongoing sessions for visible results.
Enjoy the same professional-grade outcomes for just a fraction of the cost, all from the comfort of home.
What is Nano-needling?
Nano-needling is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that enhances your skin’s glow and boosts product absorption by up to 97%.
Instead of needles, it uses tiny silicone or titanium tips to create micro-channels on the skin’s surface - helping serums like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and peptides absorb deeper and work more effectively.
It’s completely pain-free, has no downtime and can be done once a week to smooth texture, brighten tone and hydrate the skin. It’s also a great introduction to microneedling, allowing you to practice your technique and build confidence before moving to deeper treatments.
While nano-needling is optional, it’s an excellent way to enhance serum absorption and maintain results between microneedling sessions.
Preparing For A Microneedling Treatment
What to do when preparing for a treatment
What skincare ingredients or products should I stop using before treatment?
Discontinue active ingredients such as retinol, AHAs, BHAs and vitamin C for 3–5 days before your session 3 if low strength and 4-5 if higher strength.
These products can increase sensitivity and irritation. Keep your routine simple gentle cleanser, a hydrating serum and moisturiser only.
How long to wait after injectables, laser or professional skin treatments before microneedling?
Allow your skin to fully recover before introducing new stimulation. Wait 10–14 days after Botox or fillers and 3–4 weeks after laser, chemical peels or other intensive treatments. This ensures the skin barrier is calm, stable and ready for safe microneedling.
Can I exfoliate, dermaplane, or use active products in the days leading up to my session?
Avoid exfoliation and dermaplaning for at least 48 hours before treatment.
Microneedling already provides deep exfoliation and renewal; combining it with other resurfacing methods can over-stimulate the skin and delay recovery.
Should I use numbing cream, and if so, how should I apply it safely?
For deeper microneedling sessions (0.75 mm +), you may apply a topical numbing cream. Use a thin, even layer on clean skin for 15–20 minutes, then remove completely with a sterile wipe or facial cleansing before beginning. Never needle over residue, as this can clog cartridges or irritate the skin.
What time of day is best for microneedling and why?
Evening is ideal. Your skin can recover overnight without exposure to sunlight, pollution, or makeup, allowing post-treatment serums to deeply absorb while you rest so you wake up with calmer, more radiant skin.
What serum should I use during the treatment?
We always recommend using The Age Reset Co. Glide & Recovery Serum during your microneedling treatment. It’s formulated without preservatives, fragrances, essential oils, or occlusive ingredients that can irritate or inflame the skin when penetrated beneath the surface.
Many standard serums - even hydrating ones - contain preservatives, oils or silicones that are safe for topical use but should never be pushed into deeper skin layers. Doing so can increase the risk of irritation, breakouts or barrier disruption.
If you prefer an alternative, sterile saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is a safe, neutral option that supports glide and hydration. However, it doesn’t offer the same smooth texture as our Glide & Recovery Serum, so you’ll need to work in smaller sections and reapply more frequently to maintain even glide and coverage.
If you choose not to use a serum or glide medium, you can opt to stamp the pen instead. However, never use a gliding or cross-hatch technique without a glide, as this can cause unnecessary friction, irritation and damage to the skin barrier.
Avoid using any serums containing oils, preservatives, or active acids, as these are not suitable for microneedling and may increase the risk of bacterial contamination or irritation.
Do I need to patch test before my first session?
Yes, we always recommend you do a small patch test behind the ear or along the jawline using your Glide & Recovery Serum and device at a shallow depth. Wait 24 hours to confirm there’s no irritation before performing a full treatment. This is why each Ultima M8 comes with 2 complimentary cartridges, as each cartridge is single-use, it allows one for a patch test and one for a treatment.