Microneedling for Men at a Glance
Microneedling is an anti-aging therapy that punctures the skin with needles.
The needle punctures initiate a process that stimulates the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
This treatment is particularly suitable for men, as it repairs and rejuvenates the skin that is often subjected to the stresses of shaving and environmental factors.
Prior to the treatment, a local anesthetic cream is applied to ensure comfort during the procedure.
A typical Microneedling session usually lasts around 30 minutes, with the numbing cream needing approximately 30 minutes to take effect before the treatment begins.
For optimal results, it is recommended to undergo Microneedling every 4–6 weeks, with an initial series of approximately 3–6 treatments. Afterward, regular maintenance sessions can be performed every 6–12 months to sustain the results.
The cost of a facial Microneedling treatment starts at approximately €290 (indicative price, individual billing according to German Fee Schedule GOÄ).
Microneedling for Men
Microneedling is my preferred anti-aging therapy. As a professional, I regularly undergo various treatments like Botox, hyaluronic acid, skin boosters, and more. However, there is nothing I enjoy and do as frequently as Microneedling. Every 6–8 weeks, I lay down on the treatment bed for this procedure. The older I get, the more I swear by it. I have shared my own Microneedling experiences numerous times, whether on this website, Instagram, as a standalone treatment, or in combination with PRP.
Microneedling is ideal for men too. Daily shaving and environmental factors can heavily impact men’s skin. Additionally, men’s skin tends to age faster than women’s skin after the age of 35. It requires special repair and regeneration, making Microneedling perfectly suitable.
In my practice in Munich, I now treat a significant number of male patients with Microneedling. The experiences I have had with Microneedling for men have been consistently positive. The overall skin condition has significantly improved for all of them. Acne scars have visibly faded. In this report, I would like to share some of my experiences with Microneedling for men.
What is Microneedling?
But what is Microneedling exactly? Microneedling is a procedure in which the skin is punctured with numerous needles. The needle punctures create micro-injuries beneath the skin, triggering a healing process that leads to the production of new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
What are the Benefits of Microneedling?
The medical term “percutaneous collagen induction” emphasizes the purpose of Microneedling: to replace old, unfavorable skin structures (wrinkles, scars, spots, stretch marks) with new, youthful skin fibers. The skin is regenerated, gradually, over time. This process indeed works.
There are different methods of puncturing the skin. One approach involves using small rollers embedded with dozens of needles, while another method involves electric devices that stamp the needles into the skin. Regardless of the technique, the main objective is to achieve a high number of punctures at an adequate depth.
Microneedling Needs to Penetrate Deep Into The Skin
The depth of the needle punctures is crucial for the success of Microneedling. Based on my experience, for proper Microneedling, the punctures should be between 0.7 mm and 1.5 mm deep. Only then does collagen synthesis occur, and only then can the skin be repaired and regenerated. Personally, I undergo Microneedling at depths ranging from 1.5 mm to 2 mm. Since Microneedling at this depth can only be performed by a doctor, it is referred to as “Medical Needling.” It is also only tolerable with prior numbing (in the form of lidocaine cream).
When reading reports of negative experiences with Microneedling, often the procedure is complained about being painful. This indicates to me that numbing was not used, which may be more common in cosmetic studios due to lack of experience and time constraints. Applying the numbing cream takes approximately 30 minutes to take effect, and people often try to skip this step. But my advice is clear: No needling without numbing.
Microneedling for Wrinkles and Scars
Microneedling achieves good results for early wrinkles and scars. It is commonly used to treat acne scars. Recently, I achieved pleasing results in a patient with the aftermath of a dog bite (in her case, the costs were fully covered by her accident insurance).
Furthermore, I have had positive experiences with Microneedling in the treatment of large pores and oily skin. In such cases, needling is combined with a diluted Botox solution (referred to as “Micro Botox” or “Skin Botox”). The treatment is demonstrated in the video of this article, where I treat my husband, Thomas, using this method.
Combination with Other Therapies
Microneedling can also be combined with other therapies such as peeling, hyaluronic acid (skin boosters), or PRP to achieve specific effects. As mentioned in other articles on my blog, I have had good experiences with the combination of Microneedling + PRP, commonly known as the “Vampire Facelift.”
Why Microneedling?
Microneedling is capable of repairing structural damage to the skin, offering much more than creams and lotions. While it may not smooth out wrinkles as effectively as Botox, based on my experience, Microneedling is still effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The significant advantage of Microneedling over Botox or hyaluronic acid is that it actually rejuvenates the skin. The treated area not only appears younger but also becomes younger.
Brightening Under-Eye Circles with Microneedling
As mentioned earlier, Microneedling stimulates skin regeneration, medically referred to as “collagen induction.” Microneedling provokes the formation of new collagen and elastin fibers. Collagen is an essential component of the subcutaneous tissue and connective tissue, providing skin firmness and elasticity. By renewing collagen fibers, skin damage such as scars can be repaired.
Additionally, the additional collagen helps thicken very thin skin, effectively addressing issues such as dark under-eye circles. I have treated several patients in my practice who have undergone Microneedling specifically for under-eye circles.
Microneedling has long been popular among women. It has been shown to be effective in treating stretch marks, visible tissue tears that often occur after pregnancy. Microneedling also has a rejuvenating effect on the face, as new collagen contributes to a beautiful complexion and a fresh glow.
Microchannels in the Skin
Contrary to what one might assume, Microneedling does not cause injuries to the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin). Instead, the needle punctures gently separate the epidermal cells, creating fine microchannels that close approximately 30 minutes later. While these channels are open during the Microneedling procedure, substances such as PRP, hyaluronic acid, or Micro Botox can be delivered into deeper layers of the skin.
The fact that Microneedling does not injure the epidermis has several advantages. There is no risk of wound healing or pigmentation disorders, setting Microneedling apart from other skin rejuvenation procedures such as peeling or ablative laser resurfacing. Negative experiences with Microneedling are therefore rare when the procedure is performed correctly. I strongly advise against attempting Microneedling at home.
Microneedling and Men’s Skin
Microneedling is particularly interesting for men’s skin. Men’s skin contains significantly more collagen than women’s skin. Additionally, the collagen fibers in men’s skin do not run parallel but form a network, making it firmer and more robust in younger years. Men’s skin also ages slower than women’s skin until the age of 30.
Men’s Skin Ages Later but Then Faster
However, thereafter, the decline is rapid. The production of new collagen fibers slows down around the age of 35, leading to a decrease in the skin’s firmness. Elasticity is reduced, and the previously supportive collagen framework becomes rigid, contributing to the aging process. Deep wrinkles become more prominent, and under-eye circles and bags become more noticeable.
Oily Skin and Large Pores
Men’s skin is also oilier and more prone to large pores due to higher sebum production compared to female skin. While men may experience less dryness and require less skincare due to the abundant sebum supply, they are more prone to oily skin and larger pores.
Based on my experience, Microneedling is an effective therapy for all these concerns. By stimulating collagen synthesis, it revitalizes the skin. Supportive collagen fibers are renewed, resulting in improved skin firmness and elasticity. Skin irregularities and minor wrinkles are diminished. Microneedling accomplishes what the male body becomes less capable of naturally after the age of 35. When combined with micro-Botox, Microneedling also proves to be an effective treatment for large pores and oily skin. This is discussed in the following video.
Recommended Frequency of Microneedling
The recommended frequency of Microneedling sessions depends on individual skin conditions and desired outcomes. Typically, it is advised to undergo Microneedling every 4–6 weeks. This allows sufficient time for the skin to regenerate and produce new collagen between sessions.
For optimal results, I recommend an initial series of approximately 3–6 treatments, depending on the skin type and condition. Following this, regular maintenance sessions can be conducted every 6–12 months to sustain the results.
Microneedling + Micro-Botox
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My Conclusion
Summarizing my previous experiences with Microneedling, particularly concerning men, I can state this:
Improvement of Skin Appearance
Based on my experiences, including treatments for men, Microneedling is an excellent therapy for improving the skin’s appearance. Large pores, pigmentation spots, minor scars, and wrinkles become noticeably less prominent after just 2-3 treatments. The combination with PRP is effective against under-eye shadows.
Numbing is Essential
As I undergo Microneedling myself on a regular basis, I can attest that the procedure is unbearable without numbing. In the video, you can see how I applied a thick layer of lidocaine cream to my husband Thomas’ face, allowing it to take effect for a full 40 minutes. Afterward, he hardly felt anything from the needling. This is the approach I take with other patients as well.
Proper numbing is particularly important for the nose, where many men have large pores. Unfortunately, the nose is also very sensitive. To enhance the numbing effect, I typically cover this area with foil, a technique known as “occlusion.” As you can see in the video, Thomas experiences no pain on his nose, only a slight tickling sensation.
Needling with Additives
In the video, you can observe the application of Botox while needling is performed. The distribution on the skin follows a checkerboard pattern. The needles create 150 microfine channels, each 0.75 mm deep, in every square centimeter of Thomas’ skin. Through these channels, the Botox can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. The same principle can be applied to deliver other substances under the skin, such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or hyaluronic acid boosters.
Bleeding is harmless
Bleeding after Microneedling may appear dramatic, but it is not cause for concern. It is simply blood from the superficial capillaries that are injured by the needle punctures, leading to what is known as “petechial bleeding.” Based on all my experiences with Microneedling, these bleeding episodes are harmless and subside within seconds.
Redness for the Next 2–3 Days
As shown in the photos and treatment video, medical Microneedling results in significant facial redness. In my experience, this redness typically lasts for 1–3 days. Thomas’ redness was hardly visible the day after the treatment. However, other patients still appeared sunburned two days later. Although this does not necessarily require significant downtime, I would not consider it completely socially acceptable during that time.
Therefore, I recommend that all my patients plan for a Microneedling treatment so that they have 2-3 days available before any important events. During this time, the skin is also very sensitive, and they should avoid heat and steam (such as from cooking pots, opening the oven, or dishwasher). Additionally, a good sunscreen should be applied when outdoors.
How Often Should Microneedling be Repeated?
My husband Thomas repeats the combined treatment of Microneedling and Botox every 4 months. This is because the effect of the Botulinum toxin on the skin diminishes significantly and needs to be refreshed. Thomas underwent Microneedling without Botox three times at 4-week intervals. Since then, he has repeated the treatment every 6 months. Due to his positive experiences with Microneedling, it has become part of his skincare routine.
This aligns with my general recommendation: Microneedling should be repeated 2–3 times at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks to achieve optimal results. Afterward, a maintenance session every 6–12 months is sufficient to keep the results fresh.
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About the Author:
Dr. med. univ. Eva Maria Strobl is the owner of LIPS and SKIN Aesthetic Medicine practice in Munich. She is a trained specialist in general medicine (MedUni Vienna) and has over 10 years of specialization in non-surgical aesthetic procedures. Dr. Strobl is a member of the German Society for Aesthetic Botulinum Therapy e.V. (DGBT), the German Society of Anti-Aging Medicine e.V. (GSAAM) and of Network Global Health. She publishes regularly on her blog and on DocCheck.
