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Updated Oct 14, 2024Want to Try a Prewedding Microneedling Treatment? Proceed—With Caution
The Knot beauty editor put this anti-aging service to the test. Here's what you should know.
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As a beauty editor at The Knot, I'll try any trendy treatment once. So when I heard microneedling—aka piercing your face with lots of tiny needles—was the unlikely-sounding solution to a variety of skin woes, I knew I had to test it out. Below, a rundown of the prewedding beauty treatment taking over social media—and how to factor it into your bridal beauty timeline.
The Microneedling Process
Microneedling (also called collagen induction therapy if you're fancy) involves a mechanized device that repeatedly punctures the skin with tiny, sterile needles. The treatment creates microscopic "damage" in the skin, which activates your body's wound healing processes and revs up collagen production. Without getting too technical, an increase in healthy skin cells and collagen can reduce fine lines, scars and hyperpigmentation. Basically, the treatment is similar to using a dermaroller on steroids—with even more noticable benefits.
I sat down with Kendra Bray, owner of Better Brows & Beauty NYC, before undergoing the treatment to discuss my basic skin concerns (some melasma on my upper lip, a few fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes and a generally dull complexion). We chatted while she numbed my face with topical lidocaine for half an hour before starting the treatment. Once I was totally numb, Bray started going over my face section by section with the microneedling device. Since I was numb, the process felt like using a gritty face scrub. It definitely wasn't painful, but I could sense that my skin was being strongly exfoliated. Towards the end of the treatment, my face began to sting a little, but the whole experience was over before I felt any real discomfort. After the treatment, Bray gave me a hyaluronic acid serum and an oil-based serum to use for a few days in lieu of my usual (much more intense) skin routine.
How to Recover After Microneedling
There's no sugarcoating it: Immediately after microneedling, I looked rough. My face was blotchy, bright red and swollen. (You know that scene in Sex and the City where Samantha shows up to Carrie's book party looking like beef carpaccio? It was kind of like that.)
See? I'm not kidding.
I was initially concerned (read: grossed out) by my reflection, but Bray assured me I would only resemble raw meat for 24 hours or so. Fortunately, she was right. Unlike more aggressive laser treatments I've tried in the past, there was virtually no downtime with microneedling. I even wore makeup to work the next day without any residual irritation. My skin started to peel about four days after my appointment, but was totally back to normal within a week.
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Microneedling and Your Wedding Beauty Routine
All this talk of raw meat brings us to the very essential question of timing. How should you factor microneedling into your bridal beauty plan? While the unsightly effects don't last very long, Bray suggests planning your treatments as far as six months in advance of your wedding date—especially if your skin concerns are severe. If you're looking to correct deep acne scars or extensive hyperpigmentation, it could take up to six treatments to see results, with four to six weeks between sessions to heal. If your skin concerns are less severe (like mine), anywhere from one to three treatments will do the trick. If you opt for just one microneedling session, make sure to time it at least two weeks before your day. That way, your face won't look irritated or flaky right before you walk down the aisle—trust us, even the best glam team can't do a lot to fix blotchy, peeling skin. (Plus, it's always a good idea to give yourself a time cushion with any beauty treatment in case you have an adverse reaction.)
The Results of Microneedling
In the weeks following my microneedling treatment, there was a remarkable improvement in my skin. The hyperpigmentation on my top lip faded, my overall complexion was dewier and my pores even seemed smaller. Coworkers commented I look "refreshed" and a friend even asked what I'd done to amp up my skincare routine. I noticed my makeup went on more smoothly, and I started wearing less of it—especially on my top lip. While this procedure is a splurge at approximately $650 a session, it delivers results. Bottom line: Whether you want to correct severe skin issues in the months leading up to your wedding or just boost your bridal glow with a one-and-done approach, this is one Instagram trend worth investing in.
