How Microneedling Treatments Can Reduce Facial Redness and Rosacea

How Microneedling Can Reduce Facial Redness and Rosacea

Microneedling is growing in popularity as a treatment for various skin concerns like acne scarring, wrinkles and large pores. But did you know it can also improve facial redness? For those with rosacea or general ruddy complexions, microneedling aims to dial back redness for a clearer, more even skin tone.

What Causes Facial Redness?

Facial redness has many possible causes:

• Rosacea - Chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes facial flushing and redness.
• Seborrheic dermatitis - Red, scaly rash caused by overgrowth of skin fungi.
• Eczema - Itchy, inflamed skin condition that flare ups can increase facial redness.
• Sun damage - Reddening caused by UV exposure that damages skin over time.
• Skin sensitivities - Ingredients in skin care products can trigger red, irritated skin.
• Alcohol consumption - Drinking alcohol expands blood vessels, inducing a flushed look.

For persistent facial redness not caused by short-term irritation, rosacea is often the culprit. There are various treatments available to reduce the red appearances of rosacea and sensitive skin.

How Does Microneedling Help with Redness?

Microneedling creates microscopic punctures in the skin using tiny needles on a roller or pen-like device. This stimulates the body's natural wound healing process, including collagen remodelling and increased elastin production.

The micro-injuries from the tiny needles also activate growth factors and stem cells in the skin. This combination of effects helps improve the visible signs of facial redness by:

• Thickening the dermis - Results in stronger skin barrier function.
• Boosting collagen - Plumps up indented scars to reduce redness.
• Increasing elastin - Helps skin better snap back for less redness.
• Reducing inflammation - Calms inflammation that worsens redness.

Performing multiple microneedling sessions encourages new collagen production and elastin to rebuild the dermis. This strengthens the skin and helps reduce signs of facial redness over time.

Does Microneedling Hurt for Redness Prone Skin?

Microneedling should not be excessively painful, even on sensitive redness prone skin. A numbing cream is applied 30-60 minutes before the procedure to keep discomfort to a minimum.

The needle depth used correlates with the amount of discomfort. Shallower depths of 0.5-1.5mm feel like light scratching. While deeper needles around 2.5-3mm are more uncomfortable, but still tolerable with numbing cream.

Microneedling should not damage the skin or cause bleeding with proper technique. There may be some redness and sensitivity for 24-48 hours after, which subsides quickly.

At-Home vs Professional Microneedling for Redness

Microneedling can be performed both professionally in a dermatology clinic, or using an at-home device. Below are the pros and cons of each option:

Professional In-Office Microneedling

Pros

• Deeper needle penetration for greater collagen stimulation.
• Higher intensity procedures using radiofrequency or PRP.
• In-clinic medical supervision for safety.

Cons

• Higher cost per session.
• Requires going into a clinic.
• More downtime with deeper needle depths.

At-Home Microneedling

Pros

• More affordable cost.
• Convenience of treating yourself at home.
• Shorter, minimal downtime.

Cons

• Typically lower needle lengths for safety concerns.
• No in-person medical guidance.
• May require more frequent sessions.

Working with an experienced dermatologist allows for maximum results, but at-home microneedling provides an accessible option for maintaining improvements long-term.

Microneedling Procedures and Devices Used for Redness

There are different types of professional microneedling techniques and tools available today.

Microneedling Pens

Microneedling pens contain a tip with very fine needles. Devices like the Dermapen mechanically punch the needles in and out of the skin to induce micro-injuries. The dermatologist can adjust needle depth based on your skin concerns.

Microneedling Rollers

These tools contain hundreds of tiny needles arranged on a rolling head. The dermatologist rolls the device across areas of facial redness in different directions to create controlled micro-wounds in the skin. Needle length can be adjusted based on treatment goals.

Radiofrequency Microneedling

This advanced form of in-office microneedling uses insulated needles to deliver targeted heat into the deeper layers of the skin. The radiofrequency energy further stimulates collagen and elastin production in the dermis to smooth and tighten loose skin prone to redness.

PRP Microneedling

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can be combined with microneedling for amplified effects. Your blood is first drawn and spun to isolate plasma with concentrated growth factors. This PRP is then dripped over the skin during microneedling to boost collagen stimulation and cell turnover for reducing signs of facial redness.

At-Home Microneedling Devices

For in-home use, microneedling tools use needle lengths up to 1.5mm for safety. Options like the dermaroller or Dr. Pen contain microneedles on a handheld roller or pen-like tip for rolling across areas of facial redness.

Microneedling Redness Treatment Protocol

A course of multiple microneedling sessions is recommended for optimal results on redness. Here is an example in-office regimen:

• Apply numbing cream and let sit for 30-60 mins before treatment.
• Cleanse the face thoroughly before microneedling.
• Perform 2-4 passes with the microneedling device across redness prone areas like the cheeks, nose and chin.
• Apply a calming serum or mask after to aid healing.
• Use gentle cleansers and moisturizers for 2-3 days post-treatment.
• Repeat sessions every 4-6 weeks until desired reduction in facial redness is achieved.

For at-home microneedling, 2-3x weekly sessions help boost collagen and maintain improvements in facial redness between monthly or bimonthly professional treatments.

Who is a Good Candidate for Microneedling Redness Treatment?

The following patients are ideal candidates for microneedling to decrease signs of facial redness:

• Patients with mild to moderate inflammatory rosacea seeking alternates to laser therapy.
• Those with visible capillaries and diffuse redness.
• People with facial redness and scarring wanting combined treatment.
• Patients with seborrheic dermatitis related facial redness.
• Individuals with skin sensitivities who do not tolerate lasers well.
• Anyone looking for a safe, non-invasive approach to reduce facial redness.

Microneedling can help reduce redness symptoms for many rosacea sufferers and those with chronically reddened complexions when performed consistently.

Are There Any Side Effects of Microneedling for Redness?

Microneedling is well-tolerated with minimal side effects and downtime. Possible side effects can include:

• Mild redness and sensitivity for 24-72 hours after treatment.
• Small scabs or crusts around needle points that resolve quickly.
• Temporary dryness, itching or peeling around needled areas.
• Bruising, typically minor and infrequent.

When performed correctly at the appropriate depths for your skin, side effects dissipate rapidly after microneedling sessions. Practicing proper aftercare helps minimize side effects as well.

Microneedling Redness Treatment Before and After Care

Proper before and after care makes microneedling treatments more comfortable and effective for reducing redness. Recommended pre and post treatment guidelines include:

Before Microneedling

• Avoid blood thinning medications, supplements, alcohol for 1 week pre-treatment.
• Cease use of retinoids and exfoliating products 3-5 days before.
• Cleanse face the day of and apply numbing cream per your dermatologist's advice.
• Arrive with a clean face, no make-up, lotions, creams or sunscreen on the skin.

After Microneedling

• Listen to your dermatologist's aftercare instructions closely.
• Keep treated skin clean, hydrated and protected daily.
• Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer approved by your provider.
• Stay out of the sun, heat and avoid sweating for 48 hours post-treatment.
• Do not scrub, pick or scratch the treated skin during healing.

Avoiding sun, irritation, and proper wound care after will optimize your results from microneedling for a calm, clear complexion.

The Takeaway on Microneedling for Facial Redness

Microneedling is emerging as a beneficial skin rejuvenation technique to reduce visible signs of facial redness. The microscopic injuries created during treatment spur new collagen formation, elastin production, and skin thickening over successive sessions.

This can improve the overall appearance of redness prone skin. Microneedling aims to gradually strengthen and reinforce the dermis. This enhances resilience against inflammation and dilated capillaries that worsen red facial complexions.

While professional procedures deliver superior outcomes, convenient at-home microneedling can prolong and maintain results. Performing sessions consistently over a course of 4-8 treatments provides cumulative improvements in redness. Microneedling combined with precautions against sun damage, skin sensitizers, and inflammation helps create a clearer, calmer-looking complexion.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.