Do you have to bleed before microneedling is effective?

Question

I was told where I go for Botox that if you don't bleed while microneedling that it doesn't do any good. True? They weren't saying you had to bleed to know you had large bough needles or applying enough pressure but that it's actually the blood being rolled in that makes it effective.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @Lynn47712! This is an excellent question. Bleeding isn't actually necessary--some patients experience pinpoint bleeding and others do not. Best of luck to you, Dr. Nima!

Georges Kaado, MD · Answer

Hello, I would have to say in order to stimulate the cell you would need some sort of reaction. There are different types of microneedling devices on the market. I would ask what device they will use and depth that they will be using. Everyone's skin type is different from thickness to what you use as a daily skincare regimen. I would consult a couple offices and google the device they will be using.

Best of luck to you.

Best of luck to you.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

No, you don't have to bleed in order for microneedling to be effective. Microneedling does create micro injuries to the skin, but bleeding/redness is variable. I do recommend combining microneedling with prp and lasers to get the best outcomes. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Patricia Faraz, MD · Answer

No, you do not have to bleed with microneedling to see the benefits of the treatment. Each patient is different how they respond. Microneedling is a controlled injury to the skin. To stimulate the collagen production the needles must  go into the dermis, which often leaves pinpoint bleeding. Using PRP during your treatment aids in healing and is always recommended to use with all microneedling treatments.Hope this helps!

Kimberly Finder, MD · Answer

Microneedling is a mechanical stimulation of the skin with tiny needles to cause new collagen formation and remodeling of existing collagen. Bleeding isn't necessary, and it's quite variable--some patients experience pinpoint bleeding and others do not. It doesn't seem to matter for results in our experience. Even if there is some pinpoint bleeding the downtime is very minimal and the experience of having a microneedling procedure is so easy that this is a very popular treatment.

Aurora DeJuliis, MD · Answer

It depends what kind of problem you are trying to correct. If you have a relatively good skin and you are trying to stimulate collagen the needles do not have to go deep and there is no bleeding. But for scars, bleeding is common during the procedure simply because the needles need to go deeper under the scars otherwise it will not be effective. Keep in mind that bleeding is always very little and limited and you will bleed just for few seconds during the procedure.

Edsel Antonio, DO - Account Suspended · Answer

Actually, bleeding might be an indication that the procedure isn't being done correctly or the needle depth is too much.  The problem with bleeding is that you're causing micro trauma to the skin.  It also depends on what you're using the microneedling for.  If it is to break up a scar or resurface the skin then yes you will likely bleed.  If its for PRP or HA treatments then there should be little to no bleeding.

Justin Harper, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello Lynn47712Microneedling is a fantastic and minimally invasive skin-rejuvenation procedure that involves the use of a device that contains fine needles. We use state of the art physician grade technology called Skin Pen II. The fine needles  of the device are used to minimally puncture the skin to create a controlled skin injury. Each puncture creates a channel that triggers the body to fill these microscopic wounds by producing new collagen and elastin.Some people are prone to bleeding while others are not. The response we are looking for is skin deep since we are targeting the Dermis layer and stimulating the elastin and collagen response. So bleeding is normal, but not needed.I have extensive experience in microneedling, our prices for microneedling are currently $249. Please see my RealSelf profile for more examples of this procedure.Thank you

Scott Powell, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

No, you do not need to bleed for microneedling to work.  At most, there may be pin-point bleeding.  If there is a lot of bleeding, the process may be more traumatic than beneficial.The purpose of the microneedling is to stimulate collagen and create micro-channels.  The channels also allow the application of medications or PRP if desired.  If scars are being treated, then a deeper setting is required for the microneedling.  This usually has slightly more bleeding, but again, should be pin point at most.Good luck to you,Dr. Powell

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Do you have to bleed before microneedling is effective?

Answers (9)

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