Microneedling
Personalized care for natural-looking results
Microneedling uses very fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, prompting a natural repair response and new collagen formation. At The Lab in Los Angeles, we use medical-grade devices and a structured, evidence-based approach to help improve texture, post-acne scarring, fine lines, and overall tone.
Every treatment starts with skin analysis, clear goals, and realistic expectations. We document your baseline, customize depth and technique to your skin, and track progress over time so results are measurable, not wishful thinking. Microneedling is a cash-pay, appointment-based service, and we are straightforward about what it can do, what it cannot, and whether it is the right choice for you right now.
Microneedling creates thousands of precise, superficial channels in the skin using tiny needles. These micro-injuries signal your body to start repairing, which increases production of collagen and elastin. Over time, this remodeling can soften the look of fine lines, acne scars, and uneven texture, and can support a more balanced, resilient surface. Results are gradual and build over a series of sessions, not overnight.
At The Lab, your visit starts with a focused consultation, skin exam, and documentation so we can track change accurately. Your licensed medical provider will cleanse your skin, apply a topical numbing cream, then use a sterile microneedling device set to depths that match your skin and goals. Targeted serums are applied while your skin is most receptive, followed by calming products and straightforward post-care instructions. Every step is performed by a medical professional who treats you as a study of one, not a template.
Microneedling can be a strong tool for specific skin concerns, but it is not a universal fix. The goal is steady improvement in texture, tone, and scars, not a filter-level transformation. Below is a quick look at who tends to do well, who should pause, and where this treatment usually fits.
Clients who want gradual, visible improvement in post-acne scars, fine lines, crepey skin, enlarged pores, and uneven tone. It is well-suited to mild laxity and early texture changes on the face, neck, and some body areas. If you are comfortable with a series of sessions and modest downtime in exchange for more even, refined skin, microneedling may be a good fit.
You have active skin infections, uncontrolled inflammatory acne, open wounds, a history of poor wound healing, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may need to wait. Recent isotretinoin use, certain autoimmune conditions, or a tendency to form raised scars can also make microneedling less appropriate. We will review these factors and may recommend postponing or skipping treatment if it is not in your best interest.
Face (cheeks, forehead, jawline), neck, and occasionally chest are the most frequently treated areas. Microneedling can also be used on the body for stretch marks and selected scars when appropriate. Your provider will outline where treatment is likely to give meaningful change versus where expectations should be more conservative.
People who value subtle, natural-looking change over time and are willing to follow a plan do especially well. If you prefer evidence over hype, want to avoid an overly “done” look, and appreciate frank conversations about limits and risks, you are very much our audience.
Facially, microneedling is often used for post-acne scarring, fine lines, enlarged pores, crepey or thinning skin, and patchy tone. On the body, it can help soften the appearance of some stretch marks and scars, especially when they are shallow or textural rather than very raised. Results build over several sessions as collagen remodels, so improvement is typically gradual and cumulative rather than dramatic after a single visit.
Compared with more aggressive options like ablative lasers or deep chemical peels, microneedling sits in the middle: more impactful than basic facials, usually gentler and with less downtime than the strongest resurfacing procedures. It is not always the right tool. If your goals, skin type, or lifestyle point toward a different modality or a simpler routine for now, we will say so and adjust your plan. The focus is long-term skin health guided by data, not chasing trends.
Most clients do not get “one and done” results. For overall texture and tone, we often recommend a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart. Acne scars and deeper textural changes usually need more sessions than early fine lines. Many people start to notice changes in feel and brightness within a few weeks, with more visible shifts in scars and lines emerging over several months.
As collagen rebuilds and reorganizes, improvements tend to continue even after your last session in the series. The degree of change varies with age, baseline damage, skin type, and how closely you follow aftercare. Microneedling can meaningfully refine skin, but it will not give poreless, flawless, or completely scar-free skin. Our job is to design a realistic plan, show you measurable progress, and avoid promising perfection.
Your visit starts with a short check-in and a review of any changes in your health or skincare. We cleanse your skin thoroughly, apply a topical numbing cream, and give it time to work. Once you are comfortable, your provider moves the microneedling device across the treatment area in sections, adjusting depth and settings based on your skin’s thickness and the concerns we are targeting.
Most people describe the sensation as pressure, vibration, and a scratchy feeling in some spots, rather than sharp pain, thanks to numbing. Afterward, we apply calming or targeted serums and review clear aftercare guidelines. Expect to be in the office for roughly an hour, including numbing time, depending on the size of the area we are treating.
Immediately after microneedling, your skin will look pink to bright red and feel warm, similar to a sunburn. This usually settles significantly within 24 to 48 hours. Mild swelling or tightness is common, and some people notice light dryness or flaking over the next few days. Makeup is typically delayed until at least the next day, and intense workouts or heavy sweating are usually paused for about 24 hours to keep irritation and infection risk low.
Aftercare is intentionally simple: gentle cleanser, bland moisturizer, and strict sunscreen. We ask you to avoid active products like retinoids, acids, scrubs, and at-home devices for several days, and to skip tanning and direct sun. Do not pick or aggressively exfoliate any flaking. While complications are uncommon, infection, pigment changes, or prolonged redness are possible, which is why we give you clear written instructions and tell you exactly when to contact us if something does not look or feel right.
At The Lab, microneedling is performed by licensed medical providers who stay current on the evidence rather than social media trends. Our focus is controlled, natural-looking change that respects your features and your skin barrier. We use medical-grade devices, sterile technique, and conservative settings that we can scale thoughtfully as your skin responds.
We treat every client as a study of one. That means detailed skin analysis, consistent documentation, and protocols that adapt over time instead of a pre-set package. If the data, your history, or your goals suggest that microneedling is not the smartest choice, we will say so and help you find a better option or no procedure at all. The priority is long-term skin health, not selling a session.
The Lab operates as a cash-pay medical spa. Microneedling pricing depends on the areas treated and whether we incorporate advanced additions such as targeted growth-factor serums. Single sessions and series are available, and we will outline the most efficient way to reach your goals during your consultation rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all bundle.
A typical appointment, including numbing, runs around an hour, with longer visits for larger body areas. Most clients plan on a series of treatments for best results, plus occasional maintenance once goals are met. If you are curious whether microneedling fits your skin, schedule a consultation so we can review your history, examine your skin, and design a plan that makes sense for your timeline and budget.
With topical numbing, most people find microneedling very tolerable. You will likely feel pressure, vibration, and a scratchy sensation in some areas, especially over bony spots or where the skin is thinner. Discomfort is usually brief and manageable. If you are particularly sensitive, we can adjust settings, slow the pace, or break the session into smaller sections to keep you comfortable.
It depends on your goals and starting point. Mild texture or early fine lines may respond well to a short series, while deeper acne scars and long-standing sun damage typically require more sessions. Treatments are usually spaced several weeks apart to allow your skin to recover and remodel between visits. During your consultation, we will give you a range based on your specific skin rather than a blanket promise.
Plan for visible redness and warmth for the first 24 to 48 hours, plus possible mild swelling. Many clients feel comfortable returning to work the next day, especially in low-makeup or remote settings. Light dryness or flaking can show up over the next few days as the skin turns over. You will need to avoid makeup and heavy sweating for roughly the first day and be careful with sun and active products for several days longer.
When performed correctly, microneedling can be a good option for many deeper skin tones because it targets the dermis without relying on heat or light. That said, the risk of pigment changes is never zero. At The Lab, we adjust depth, frequency, and aftercare based on your skin type and history, and may suggest alternative approaches if we feel your pigment risk is higher than average.
Yes, microneedling is often used to soften the look of atrophic (indented) acne scars and some stretch marks. It works by encouraging new collagen to fill and smooth uneven areas over time. Improvement is real but not absolute; scars and stretch marks typically become less noticeable rather than disappearing completely. Deeper or very old scars may need more sessions and a more conservative expectation.
Many clients notice a subtle glow and smoother feel within a couple of weeks. Changes in scars, lines, and pore visibility take longer, generally building over several months as collagen reorganizes. Results from a completed series can last for many months, especially if you protect your skin from sun and use appropriate home care. Periodic maintenance treatments can help sustain those gains as your skin continues to age.
Microneedling often pairs well with other non-irritating treatments and medical-grade skincare, but the timing matters. Some procedures and active products need to be spaced out to avoid overwhelming your skin or increasing risk. We will map out a logical sequence for any combined plan so that each treatment supports, rather than competes with, the others.
People with active infections, open lesions, uncontrolled inflammatory skin disease, recent significant sunburn, or a history of very poor wound healing should not have microneedling until those issues are resolved. Certain medications, health conditions, or a strong tendency to form raised scars may also be reasons to skip or modify the procedure. Your consultation is where we screen for these factors and, if needed, recommend a different path.
