Microneedling: Procedure, Results and When It's Recommended

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Microneedling has become one of the most popular minimally invasive skin treatments available today. The procedure works on a straightforward principle: controlled micro-injuries stimulate the skin's natural healing process, prompting the production of new collagen and elastin. The outcome is firmer, smoother, and more radiant skin — without surgery.

How Does Microneedling Work?

During the treatment, a device fitted with fine needles creates thousands of microscopic channels in the skin. These micro-injuries signal the skin to begin its repair response, triggering the production of collagen and elastin — the two key proteins responsible for skin firmness and elasticity.

Needle depth is adjustable, typically ranging from 0.25 to 2.5 mm, and is tailored to the area being treated and the concern being addressed. Superficial skin irregularities respond well to shallower settings, while atrophic scars or more pronounced lines may require deeper penetration.

Some devices combine microneedling with radiofrequency energy (RF microneedling), which delivers heat into the deeper layers of the skin. This enhances the overall effect but does mean a slightly longer recovery period.

What Skin Concerns Does Microneedling Address?

Microneedling produces good results for a range of common skin concerns:

• fine lines and early wrinkles
• enlarged pores
• uneven skin texture
• mild acne scars and atrophic scarring
• dull skin lacking radiance
• mild skin laxity

It is worth being clear about what microneedling is not suited for: deep structural wrinkles, significant skin sagging, and active acne breakouts fall outside its effective range. In these cases, other approaches — such as surgical lifting, dermal fillers, or targeted acne treatment — will deliver better outcomes.

What Happens During a Microneedling Session?

Every treatment begins with a consultation, during which the doctor assesses your skin and helps define your goals. On the day of the procedure, the skin is cleansed and a topical anaesthetic cream is applied, taking effect over approximately 30 minutes.

The session itself lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. Afterwards, the skin appears red and feels slightly sensitive — similar to mild sunburn. This is a normal response and typically resolves within one to two days.

Important aftercare points:

• avoid direct sun exposure for at least 2 to 3 days
• hold off on active ingredients such as retinoids and acids during the recovery period
• use a broad-spectrum SPF daily

For optimal results, a series of 3 to 4 sessions is recommended, spaced four weeks apart. A maintenance session once or twice a year helps sustain the improvement.

How Many Sessions Are Needed, and When Are Results Visible?

This is the question most people ask before starting treatment. A single session does produce some visible improvement in skin texture and glow — but the full results emerge after completing a series of 3 to 4 treatments. This is because collagen remodelling is a gradual process, taking 4 to 6 weeks to fully unfold.

A realistic timeline looks like this:

• after the 2nd session: noticeable improvement in skin texture, with a more even tone
• 4 to 6 weeks after completing the series: best, fully developed results
• pores appear smaller, fine lines softer, and any treated scarring less visible

Microneedling is a progressive treatment that works with your skin's own biology — the improvements build over time rather than appearing overnight.

Combining Microneedling With Other Treatments

The effects of microneedling can be amplified by pairing it with complementary treatments. The most common combinations include:

• PRP (platelet-rich plasma): applied immediately after microneedling, the growth-factor-rich plasma penetrates deeper through the open micro-channels, enhancing healing and regeneration
• mesotherapy cocktails: active ingredients applied post-treatment absorb more effectively into freshly treated skin than they would on intact skin

On the same day as microneedling, we do not perform botulinum toxin injections or dermal fillers. The sequencing and combination of treatments is always planned individually during the initial consultation.

Where to Start?

If you are considering microneedling in Ljubljana, the first step is a skin consultation with one of our doctors. At Klinika Višnjar, we assess your skin, listen to your goals, and recommend a protocol that is right for you — whether that means a standalone microneedling series or a combined approach.

Book a consultation and let us plan the path to healthier, more radiant skin together.

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