Is at-home microneedling safe?
Although this smoothing treatment is usually performed by a pro, you can do it at home if you follow a few safety precautions.
StackedSkincare Microneedling Tool
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$89.00
Microneedling is a procedure done in a dermatologist’s office and involves fine needles creating microchannels of “injury” on your face, says Dr. Stacey Tull, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at St. Charles County Dermatologic Surgery. Yes, you read that right — but don’t be scared — we’re not talking big wounds. The fine needles make tons of tiny, barely detectable pin pricks to the surface level of your skin that then stimulate collagen production and triggers your skin to repair the minor injuries, which can improve texture, says Tull.
The needles are usually in a pen-like device, gently running over your skin. Tiny electric currents push the needles in the pen’s tip into your skin as the device glides over your face, creating tiny, controlled injuries.
Are you wondering why you’d want to make all those little injuries in your skin? “Microneedling stimulates collagen and the release of growth factors that help improve pores, texture, and tone,” says Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of AziMD Skincare. Because of its positive impact on skin texture, it can be a particularly good treatment for those with acne scars or fine lines and wrinkles, says Tull.
Microneedling at home is a bit different than the in-office procedure. A dermatologist’s microneedling device usually has needles longer than those found in devices you can buy over the counter. This means that at-home microneedling is less effective than the kind done by a professional because you aren’t creating as significant of an injury to the skin. However, the shorter needles of at-home devices make them a bit safer for non-professionals to use.
“It’s often safer and more effective to have microneedling performed by a trained professional in a controlled environment, especially for more intense treatments,” says Shirazi. “However, microneedling can be done at home, but using sterile equipment is essential to minimize the risk of infection or other complications.” If you are choosing to try microneedling at home, you should:
You should also only microneedle every few weeks. Doing it too often can irritate the skin, says Shirazi.
If you want to try microneedling at home, there are several devices at varying price points you can consider. I rounded up a list of five highly rated microneedling tools. They all have at least a 4.0-star average rating from at least 1,000 reviews or have been tested by NBC Select editors.
NBC Select editorial director, Lauren Swanson, has used the BeautyBio GloPro for over five years. “My skin texture improved a lot when I combined this at-home tool with my in-office microneedling appointments.” The GloPro has lip and eye attachments to target different areas of your face.
Stacked Skincare’s microneedling tool has an aluminum handle and stainless steel needles that are .2 millimeters long. It has a removable roller head and you can purchase replacement heads. After using the tool, you should mist it with an alcohol spray to disinfect it, according to the brand.
This at-home microneedling kit comes with five attachments: three microneedling rollers (small, medium, and large), a microneedling stamp for smaller areas, and a silicone cleansing brush. The attachments have titanium needles that are .25 millimeters in length, a length that our experts say is safe for at-home use (in-office treatments use longer needles). The kit comes in a plastic case to help keep your attachments clean.
With .25-millimeter titanium needles, you can use this roller on your face and scalp, according to the brand. It has an ergonomic handle and a non-slip grip. It does not come with a carrying case, so you’ll want to store it somewhere clean and dust-free.
This sleek black microneedling roller has titanium needles that are .25 millimeters long. The roller has an ergonomic handle covered in silicone for a steady grip. It also has a storage case to keep it clean and dust-free between uses.
I’ve been using this tool for a few months now and my skin feels much more hydrated and glowy. It comes with disposable roller heads that each have over 3,000 dissolving needling tips made out of hyaluronic acid. As they make contact with your face, they dissolve, hydrating your skin. You can use a roller head until all of the needles are gone — then, just pop a new one on.
According to our experts, those with sensitive skin or active flare ups of things like eczema or psoriasis should avoid trying microneedling at home. Don’t have any of these conditions? Microneedling can be particularly beneficial for those with fine lines, hyperpigmentation or acne scars, says Tull.
If you go to a dermatologist for in-office microneedling, they may use needles anywhere between .5 and 2.5 millimeters in length, says Shirazi. The length is determined by the issue you are trying to address. Shorter needles are used for general texture, whereas longer needles may be used to address scarring, says Tull. At-home microneedling devices have shorter needles — usually around .25 millimeters. The shorter length helps prevent you, as a novice, from doing damage to your skin, says Tull.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed two board-certified dermatologists.
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