In brief
- With microneedling, fine needles make thousands of tiny pricks in the top layer of your skin. Your skin repairs them and produces new collagen as it does.
- You do it as a course of four to six sessions, three to four weeks apart.
- After a treatment you are red for one to two days. Make-up is allowed from the third day, and ideally you wait two weeks.
- It is booked most often for small acne scars, fine lines, pigmentation and enlarged pores.
- At Moons in Enschede microneedling costs €89.00 to €99.00 per session. We work with the Dermapen.
Written by Nilay, owner and beauty therapist at Moons BeautyUpdated on
What is microneedling?
Microneedling is a skin treatment in which a pen with very fine needles goes over your skin. The needles make thousands of tiny channels in the top layer of your skin. Your skin starts repairing them and produces new collagen and elastin as it does. Those are the fibres that keep your skin firm and supple.
During the treatment active ingredients are worked in as well, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or PDRN. Through the channels your skin absorbs them better than when you apply them at home.
It also goes by the name of the device. At Moons we work with the Dermapen. We set the depth per zone, and the needles are sterile and single-use. Around your eyes we work shallower than on your cheeks.
What does microneedling do for your skin?
Microneedling works on the structure of your skin. This is what it is booked for most often.
Small acne scars
Dents and unevenness left behind once the spots have gone. Over a course we see them become shallower. More on this under acne scars.
Fine lines and loss of firmness
The skin becomes firmer, so lines look softer. Microneedling doesn't fill deep wrinkles. A filler does that.
Pigmentation
Often combined with peels, and always with daily sun protection. The approach is under pigmentation.
Enlarged pores and dull skin
Your skin looks smoother and make-up sits differently on it. This is what most people notice first, often after just one or two sessions.
How often do you have microneedling?
You do microneedling as a course of four to six treatments, three to four weeks apart. That rhythm follows your skin: it needs about four weeks to renew itself.
The collagen keeps building in the months after the course. That's why you only see the full result after about three months. After the course comes maintenance. How often that is depends on your skin and on what you came for.
You pay per treatment. So after each session you decide for yourself whether to continue.
How long are you red, and when do you see results?
The downtime is short, the result takes longer to show. This is what you see in each phase.
The first day
Red, warm and tight
Your skin is red, roughly like after a day in the sun. That's part of it. You go home without make-up.
Days two and three
The redness subsides
Your skin can feel dry or flake slightly. Leave the flakes alone and don't scrub just yet.
Weeks one and two
Smoother and fresher
This is the first thing you see, and make-up sits differently on it. Deeper in your skin the work is still going on.
After three months
The result of the course
After four to six treatments your skin is firmer and more even, and small scars look shallower. Take a photo at the start, because you get used to your own skin.
Aftercare: what is allowed when?
After the treatment your skin is more sensitive than usual for a while. With a few days of rest it recovers fastest.
| Topic | The first few days | After that |
|---|---|---|
| Make-up | Better not. If you really must, from the third day | Ideally you wait two weeks |
| Sun and sunbed | Stay out of the sun | Apply sun protection every day, especially with pigmentation |
| Exercise and sauna | Skip them | Fine again |
| Scrubs and acids | Don't use them | Only start again once your skin has settled |
| Flakes | Leave them alone | They disappear on their own |
| Sleeping | On a clean pillowcase | As you normally do |
If your own practitioner gives you different advice, follow that. You can read why sun protection is always part of it under sun protection.
Does microneedling hurt?
Beforehand a numbing cream goes on your skin and soaks in for twenty minutes. During the treatment you therefore mainly feel vibration and a slightly scratchy sensation. Around your nose and on your forehead it's a little more sensitive than on your cheeks.
Afterwards your skin feels warm and tight, like after a day in the sun. That fades within one to two days.
When it's possible, and when it's not.
Microneedling on skin that isn't ready for it makes things worse instead of better. That's why the limits here are strict.
A good idea if
- You have small scars or unevenness left over from spots in the past
- Your skin feels less firm and you see fine lines appearing
- You have pigmentation that doesn't improve with skincare alone
- You're willing to commit to a course and a home routine
Check with us first
- Active, inflamed spots or a skin infection. Then we wait until your skin has settled
- Just been in the sun or on the sunbed. Then we wait about two weeks
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Then we don't do microneedling. The mild nourishing treatments are fine
- Blood thinners or medication that makes your skin vulnerable, such as isotretinoin. Check with your GP or specialist first
- Recent botox or fillers. Mention it when you book and ask your doctor how long you need to wait
- A spot that changes shape or colour. See your GP about it first
The downsides of microneedling.
Microneedling asks more of you than a regular facial. These are the things to know beforehand.
- You are red for one to two days, and in the days after your skin can be dry or flaky
- One treatment is not enough. The result comes from a course of four to six sessions
- You only see the full effect after about three months
- Ideally you wear no make-up for two weeks, and you stay out of the sun for the first few days
- It isn't always possible. With pregnancy, inflamed skin or freshly sunburnt skin we skip it
Which variant suits which skin?
The technique is always the same. The difference lies in the serum that is worked in during the treatment.
| Topic | For which skin | Price at Moons |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid | Dry, tight or tired skin | €89.00 |
| Niacinamide | Skin out of balance, with blemishes, redness or enlarged pores | €89.00 |
| Brightning | Pigmentation, sun damage and a dull complexion. With vitamin C | €89.00 |
| Collagen | Skin ageing | €99.00 |
| PDRN, hyaluronic acid and exosomes | Skin ageing and scars. PDRN is also called salmon DNA | €99.00 |
| PDRN with LED therapy | The same treatment, finished with LED light | €119.00 |
A treatment takes 50 minutes, with LED therapy 75 minutes. LED is also possible with the other variants, for €20.00 extra.
What does a course of microneedling cost?
You pay per session. Because you come for a course, the amounts for four to six treatments are shown here too.
| Treatment | Per session | Usual course | Full course (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microneedling with hyaluronic acid | €89.00 | 4 to 6 sessions | €356.00 to €534.00 |
| Microneedling with PDRN | €99.00 | 4 to 6 sessions | €396.00 to €594.00 |
| Microneedling with PDRN and LED | €119.00 | 4 to 6 sessions | €476.00 to €714.00 |
These are the prices at Moons in Enschede. Elsewhere the price may differ. All our prices are on the prices page.
Microneedling at home with a roller or pen?
Online you can buy dermarollers and pens for home use. The biggest difference from the salon is control. With the Dermapen we set the depth per zone, and the needles go straight in and straight out. A roller at home doesn't give you that control over the depth, so you risk irritation and damage.
Then there is hygiene. In the salon the needles are sterile and single-use.
If you want to do something for your skin at home, a good routine with sun protection does you more good. What belongs in it is explained in the order of your skincare.
Microneedling, peel, laser or botox?
These treatments are often mentioned in the same breath, while each of them does something different.
| Topic | What it does | Where you can go for it |
|---|---|---|
| Microneedling | Works on structure and firmness: small scars, lines and pores | At Moons, with the Dermapen |
| Peel | Works on the surface: dull skin, uneven colour and clogged pores | At Moons. The comparison is in microneedling or a peel |
| Microneedling with radiofrequency | Adds heat and works deeper in the skin | In a clinic. At Moons we work with the Dermapen, without radiofrequency |
| Laser | Works with light, deeper than a treatment in the salon | In a clinic or with a doctor |
| Botox and fillers | Botox relaxes muscles, a filler fills in. Filling a deep wrinkle takes a filler | With a doctor |
We don't do injectables or laser. If you're unsure what suits your skin, start with the first skin appointment.
What to look for when choosing a salon?
These are the signs of a place that handles microneedling with care.
They look at your skin first
Microneedling shouldn't be the first treatment with someone who doesn't know your skin yet. With us you start with the first skin appointment.
The needles are sterile and single-use
Ask about it. A new, sterile needle for every client is the norm.
The depth is set per zone
Around your eyes it should go shallower than on your cheeks.
You're told when it's not possible
With pregnancy, inflamed skin or freshly sunburnt skin, a salon should say no.
You get an explanation of the days after
What to avoid, when make-up is allowed again and why sun protection is part of it.
You can see real work
Photos of their own clients and what others write. Ours are on the results page and under reviews.
Where the salon ends and the doctor begins.
Microneedling in a salon works in the top layer of the skin. If you have deep scars or a skin condition, or you use heavy medication for your skin, see your GP or dermatologist first. If your skin stays red, painful or swollen for longer than a few days after a treatment, call your GP as well.
Frequently asked questions about microneedling
What is microneedling?
With microneedling, a pen with very fine needles goes over your skin. They make thousands of tiny channels in the top layer of your skin. Your skin repairs them and produces new collagen and elastin as it does, which makes it firmer and smoother.
What does microneedling do to your skin?
It works on the structure. Small acne scars look shallower, fine lines become softer, pores finer and the skin firmer. It doesn't fill deep wrinkles.
How often should you have microneedling?
As a course of four to six treatments, three to four weeks apart. Your skin needs about four weeks to renew itself. After the course comes maintenance.
How long are you red after microneedling?
Usually one to two days, roughly like after a day in the sun. After that your skin can be dry or flake slightly for a few more days.
When do you see results from microneedling?
After one or two sessions your skin often already looks smoother and fresher. The result on small scars, lines and firmness builds up over the course and is clearly visible after about three months.
When can you wear make-up again after microneedling?
From the third day, if you really must. Ideally you wear no make-up for two weeks, so your skin can recover in peace.
How long should you stay out of the sun after microneedling?
Stay out of the sun for the first few days, and after that apply sun protection every day. With pigmentation that's really necessary. If you've just been in the sun or on the sunbed before your appointment, we wait about two weeks before treating you.
When can you exercise again after microneedling?
Skip exercise and the sauna for the first few days. Once the redness has gone and your skin feels calm, it's fine again.
Does microneedling hurt?
Beforehand a numbing cream goes on and soaks in for twenty minutes. After that you mainly feel vibration and a slightly scratchy sensation. Around your nose and on your forehead it's a little more sensitive.
What are the downsides of microneedling?
You are red for one to two days, you need a course of four to six sessions and you only see the full effect after about three months. Ideally you wear no make-up for two weeks, and it isn't possible during pregnancy or with inflamed skin.
Can you have microneedling if you're pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. During your pregnancy and while you're breastfeeding, we don't do microneedling. The mild nourishing treatments are fine.
Can you have microneedling with acne?
With active, inflamed spots we wait, because the needles would spread the inflammation. Once your skin has settled, microneedling is actually the treatment booked most often for the small scars left behind.
Does microneedling help with acne scars?
That's what it is booked for most often. In practice we see small scars become shallower over a course. What's achievable depends on the type of scar and how long it has been there.
Can you do microneedling at home?
Rollers and pens are for sale. At home you have no control over the depth and you risk irritation and damage. In the salon the depth is set per zone and the needles are sterile and single-use.
What does microneedling cost?
At Moons in Enschede microneedling costs €89.00 to €99.00 per treatment, depending on the serum. With LED therapy added it's €119.00. You pay per session.
What is microneedling with salmon DNA or exosomes?
Salmon DNA is the nickname for PDRN, an active ingredient that is worked in during microneedling. At Moons that's the variant with PDRN, hyaluronic acid and exosomes, for skin ageing and scars. It costs €99.00. Everything about the substance itself is in PDRN and salmon DNA.
What is the difference between microneedling and a peel?
Microneedling works on the structure of your skin: small scars, lines and pores. A peel works on the surface: dull skin, uneven colour and clogged pores. They are often alternated. The full comparison is in microneedling or a peel.
How does it differ from microneedling with radiofrequency or laser?
Microneedling with radiofrequency adds heat and works deeper, and a laser works with light. Those are treatments for a clinic or a doctor. At Moons we work with the Dermapen in the top layer of the skin, without radiofrequency.
Can you have microneedling after botox or fillers?
Always mention it when you book. How long you need to wait after botox or fillers is something to ask the doctor who injected them.
Can I start with microneedling straight away?
Not at Moons. You book microneedling after the first skin appointment. By then we have seen your skin and know how it reacts to something gentler.
From reading to doing
What we do with this in the salon
Microneedling in Enschede
Six variants with the Dermapen, with price, steps and booking.
Microneedling with PDRN
Salmon DNA, exosomes and hyaluronic acid, for skin ageing and scars.
Microneedling with collagen
Collagen fragments and peptides, for the first signs of skin ageing.
Microneedling for pigmentation
Brightening active ingredients, for pigmentation and a dull complexion.
Microneedling with hyaluronic acid
Moisture deep in the skin, for dry, tight or tired skin.
Microneedling with niacinamide
Vitamin B3, for skin out of balance and for enlarged pores.
