Microneedling Risks and Side Effects

Every treatment arrives with a promise, and microneedling is no exception. The promise is the easy part to remember. The side effects are the part to ask about.

This guide sets out what one named source says about side effects, then turns to what a second provider might say. It ends with questions worth asking before you agree to anything. A dermatologic surgery society also has its own microneedling page if you want a wider read.

What the source says

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says any microneedling device has the potential to cause side effects that last a short time or a long time. That is a statement about devices in general. It applies to a proposal whichever provider makes it.

What a second provider might say

A second provider may propose a different device, a different plan or no treatment at all. That is useful, not a contradiction. Ask each provider which side effects they would watch for in your case and how they would handle them. Before the second visit, read this page on microneedling devices so you know what to ask about the device.

Which benefits have backing

The statement above backs one point, which is that side effects are possible. Any benefit you are promised on top of it needs its own source. Ask the provider to name that source, and note whether it comes from an independent publisher or from the seller of the device.

Questions to ask before you agree

Put these to every provider and compare the answers:

• Which side effects should I expect, and for how long?
• Which device will you use?
• What does the price cover, and what happens if I need a follow-up or stop early?
• Where does the benefit you describe come from?

If a provider cannot answer, that is information too. A dermatology academy's page on microneedling and scars is another read to finish before you decide.