Microneedling at Merrion Medical Aesthetics Oakville

One of the great benefits of microneedling is its versatility. This treatment can be done on the face, neck, and many other areas of the body that can benefit from collagen rejuvenation.

At Merrion, the most popular area for microneedling is the face—targeting issues like fine lines on the forehead, cheeks, or around the eyes, as well as acne scars or enlarged pores. Microneedling the facial skin can lead to a smoother texture and more even tone, giving you a refreshed look.

We also frequently perform microneedling on the neck and décolletage (chest), where it can tighten crepey skin and soften horizontal neck lines or sun damage. These areas often show signs of aging and sun exposure, and respond well to collagen induction therapy.

Beyond the face and neck, other treatable areas include:

• Chest: Improve skin texture and sun spots on the upper chest.
  
• Scars on the body: Microneedling can help fade surgical scars or stretch marks on areas like the abdomen or thighs by stimulating new collagen in those scarred tissues. Many postpartum patients choose microneedling to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
  
• Back or shoulders: Helpful for acne scars or other textural irregularities.
  
• Hands: In some cases, to improve crepey skin on the backs of the hands.
  

In fact, most areas with “aged” or damaged skin can potentially benefit from microneedling.

While the face is most common, practitioners also use microneedling for wrinkles or scars on the legs, abdomen, or other areas of concern. Our team will assess your individual needs—whether it’s facial rejuvenation or improving the appearance of a specific scar—and determine if microneedling is suitable for that area.

The treatment depth and technique can be adjusted based on the thickness of the skin in different regions. Rest assured that if microneedling isn’t appropriate for a certain concern, we’ll guide you toward other solutions. (For example, very deep dynamic wrinkles might be better addressed with Botox or volume loss with dermal fillers, which we also offer.) In many cases, microneedling is a wonderfully versatile option to rejuvenate skin across multiple areas of the face and body in a natural way.

Microneedling is performed in a comfortable, clinical setting by our trained medical professionals. Here’s an overview of what you can expect during and after a microneedling appointment at Merrion:

Before the procedure: We start by cleansing the treatment area thoroughly. Then a numbing cream is applied to your skin and left on for about 20–30 minutes to ensure you remain comfortable. Most patients report that with the topical anesthetic, they feel minimal to no pain during the needling—typically just a mild vibrating or scratching sensation.

During the procedure: Once your skin is numbed and prepped, the provider will gently move the microneedling device across the targeted area. The device’s fine needles rapidly pierce the skin’s surface at a controlled depth, creating micro-channels. You might feel a light pressure or a sandpapery sensation as the device passes over your skin. For shallow treatments, there is usually no bleeding; with deeper needle depths (for example, treating acne scars), you may see a small amount of pinpoint bleeding, which is normal and stops quickly. We adjust the needle depth and technique according to your skin’s needs—using longer needle settings on areas of deeper scarring and shorter needles on more delicate areas. A full-face microneedling session typically takes around 30 minutes. If multiple areas are being treated (face and neck, for example), it could be slightly longer, but most sessions are well under an hour from start to finish.

After the procedure: Microneedling is an outpatient treatment, so you can go home right afterward. Your skin will be reddish-pink and may feel like you have a mild sunburn—this is expected. There might also be slight swelling or tightness. This redness generally subsides significantly within 24–48 hours. Many patients find that by the next day they can easily cover any residual redness with light makeup (if needed), and it just looks like a post-facial glow. We advise you to avoid direct sun exposure for several days and use sunscreen, as your skin will be more sensitive while it’s healing. It’s also best to wait about 24 hours before applying makeup, to keep the fresh channels clear and let the skin breathe overnight. You might experience some dryness or flaking in the days after as your skin regenerates—a good moisturizer will help with this. Overall, downtime is minimal: most people return to work or their regular routine the next day, with only mild after-effects. By the end of the week, any pinkness is usually gone, and your skin begins to feel smoother and more radiant as it heals.

Every patient receives detailed post-care instructions from us, including gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and what to avoid (like vigorous exfoliation or swimming pools) for a few days. Following these guidelines will ensure you get the best outcome and protect your freshly treated skin. Within a week, you should notice a nice initial glow, and over the next few weeks, the real magic—new collagen—gets to work.

Microneedling results don’t appear overnight, but they are well worth the wait. Because this treatment relies on natural collagen regeneration, the improvements emerge gradually. You may notice an initial improvement (such as a dewy complexion or minor plumping of fine lines) within a couple of weeks after your first session.

However, the most significant changes—like reduction in scarring or tighter skin—develop as new collagen matures. Optimal results typically become visible 3 to 6 months after completing a series of treatments. This timeframe allows your skin to fully remodel itself from the deeper layers upward.

It’s important to understand that microneedling is usually done as a series for best results. Collagen-building is a cumulative process: each session builds on the last.

Many patients undergo an initial series of about 3–6 treatments spaced a few weeks apart (for example, one session every 4–6 weeks). After this series, you’ll likely see the most noticeable transformation in your skin’s texture and firmness once those months of collagen growth have taken effect.

Now, how long do the results last? The new collagen you’ve gained is essentially permanent collagen, but of course the natural aging process continues. In other words, microneedling has rewound the clock, but it can’t stop it completely. Generally, the improvements from a microneedling series can last several months up to a year or more.

Many of our patients choose to do a maintenance microneedling session about once a year to keep stimulating collagen production and maintain their results. Think of it like upkeep—just as you might get periodic facials or adjust your skincare routine over time, an annual microneedling touch-up helps preserve that smooth, firm skin you achieved.

The longevity also depends on what concerns were treated. For instance, acne scar improvements tend to be long-lasting since the scar structure has been remodeled with new collagen. Fine lines or general skin quality improvements may gradually fade as you continue to age and lose collagen normally. Keeping up with good skincare (like sun protection and topical antioxidants) will extend your microneedling results.

We’ll guide you on maintenance, but rest assured that microneedling sets in motion a collagen boost that provides months of benefit—and with occasional follow-ups, your skin can continue to look refreshed and youthful over the long term.

Wondering if microneedling is the right treatment for your skin? It’s an excellent option for many people, but as with any procedure, there are ideal candidates and some contraindications. Generally, you might consider microneedling if you are looking to address:

• Fine lines and mild to moderate wrinkles – for example, early signs of aging like crow’s feet or smile lines that you’d like to smooth out.
  
• Uneven skin texture or enlarged pores – microneedling can help refine rough texture and make pores appear smaller by increasing collagen around them.
  
• Acne scars or other mild scarring – it’s clinically shown to soften the appearance of acne scars, surgical scars, or stretch marks, especially shallow to medium-depth scars.
  
• Skin laxity – if you’re noticing a bit of loose skin or loss of firmness (for instance, slight sagging in the cheeks or under the chin), the collagen boost from microneedling can impart a subtle tightening effect.
  
• Overall skin dullness – if your complexion has lost its glow or you have mild discoloration or sun damage, microneedling can refresh skin tone and brightness.
  

Microneedling is favored by those who want noticeable yet natural-looking improvement in their skin quality without injections or surgery. It’s also a plus for people who don’t have the time for a long recovery—as mentioned, downtime is minimal. Another big benefit: because it doesn’t involve lasers or harsh chemicals, microneedling is considered safe for all skin colours (from fair to deep complexions) without the same risk of causing pigmentation changes.

However, microneedling is not right for everyone or every situation. You should avoid microneedling (or postpone it) if you have any of the following:

• 
  Active acne or infection in the area: Microneedling over active pustular acne or an open sore (like a cold sore) could spread bacteria and worsen the condition. We’ll recommend clearing any breakouts first. Similarly, if you have a skin infection or rash (e.g., impetigo, eczema flare, psoriasis plaque) on the area, that should be resolved before treatment.
  
• 
  Severe skin conditions: People with moderate to severe psoriasis or eczema in the treatment area are generally advised not to do microneedling during flare-ups, as it could irritate the condition.
  
• 
  Recent Accutane (isotretinoin) use: If you have taken isotretinoin for acne in the past 6–12 months, you may need to wait, because that medication can make your skin more fragile and prone to injury.
  
• 
  Tendency to form keloid scars: If your skin has a history of forming keloids (overgrown scar tissue) from minor injuries, microneedling might not be recommended since any needling could potentially trigger a similar over-healing response. We will evaluate this carefully.
  
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  Blood disorders or anticoagulant medication: Conditions that affect blood clotting (or if you’re on blood thinners) could increase bruising risks, so it’s something to discuss with our physician before proceeding.
  
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  Pregnancy or nursing: While microneedling is not chemical and only affects the skin, as a precaution it is generally not done during pregnancy because the skin can be more reactive and there’s a (very low) risk of infection. It’s best to wait until after pregnancy/breastfeeding to be extra safe.
  

During your consultation, we will review your medical history, skin condition, and goals to confirm that microneedling is appropriate. If for any reason it isn’t, don’t worry—Merrion offers a range of other treatments, from injectables like botox and fillers to high-tech laser resurfacing and professional skincare, so we will find an alternative that suits you. Often, microneedling can be combined with other treatments as well: for example, some patients receive botox for dynamic wrinkles and do microneedling for overall texture, tackling aging on multiple fronts. We might also recommend medical-grade skincare to complement your in-clinic treatments for maximum results. Our priority is that you get the right solution for your unique skin needs.

In summary, microneedling is ideal for men and women who are in generally good health, want to improve their skin’s appearance, and are prepared to undergo a series of minimally invasive treatments and a brief recovery period to achieve a significant payoff in skin rejuvenation. If that sounds like you, then microneedling could be a fantastic choice to revitalize your skin.

Not significantly. We apply a topical numbing cream before the treatment, so most patients only feel a mild vibrating or scratching sensation—generally not pain. The needle entry is very shallow. You might experience a little more sensitivity in bony areas (like along the forehead or jawline), but it’s brief and tolerable. Our clients often say the procedure was much more comfortable than they expected. If you are particularly needle-phobic, let us know—we can take extra measures to ensure your comfort.

Side effects are typically minor and short-lived. Right after treatment, your skin will be red and feel warm (like a moderate sunburn). This usually calms within 24–48 hours. You may also have mild swelling or tightness, and some people get slight flaking or dry patches as the skin heals over the next few days. Tiny pinpoint scabs can form if there was any bleeding, but these heal quickly. Bruising is uncommon but can happen in very sensitive skin. The risk of infection is extremely low when performed with sterile technique—just follow the post-care we provide (like avoiding makeup for a day and keeping the area clean). Most patients have minimal to no downtime and can resume normal activities the next day. We do advise avoiding intense workouts, saunas, or direct sun for a day or two. Serious side effects like lasting discoloration or scarring are exceedingly rare when the procedure is performed correctly.