Microneedling

What is Microneedling?

Microneedling is a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that uses a device with very fine, sterile needles to create thousands of controlled microchannels in the skin. These micro-injuries are small enough to heal rapidly, but significant enough to trigger the body's wound-healing cascade — stimulating new collagen and elastin production, improving blood flow, and regenerating healthier skin from the inside out.

Unlike ablative treatments that remove the surface of the skin, microneedling works beneath the surface with the skin barrier largely intact. This means less visible recovery while still producing real, lasting improvement in texture, tone, and firmness.

What Microneedling Can Treat

• Fine lines and early wrinkles
• Acne scars and pitted scarring
• Enlarged pores
• Uneven skin texture and roughness
• Stretch marks
• Dull or tired-looking skin
• Mild skin laxity
• Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone
• Surgical scars (see Scar Revision)

Microneedling Add-On Combinations

Microneedling's greatest strength may be its versatility — the microchannels it creates allow topical serums and biologic treatments to penetrate far more deeply than they could on intact skin, dramatically amplifying results.

The Treatment Experience

Before treatment, a topical numbing cream is applied for 30–45 minutes to ensure comfort. Dr. Kieu then passes the microneedling device across the treatment area in a controlled pattern, adjusting depth settings for different zones of the face. The treatment itself takes approximately 20–30 minutes; the full appointment including numbing is about 60 minutes.

Immediately after, skin will appear pink to red — similar to a mild sunburn. This typically resolves within 24–48 hours. Most patients return to normal activities the following day, though sun exposure should be avoided during the healing period.

Recommended Protocol

Most patients achieve their best results with an initial series of 3–6 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart, followed by quarterly maintenance treatments. Collagen remodeling continues for 3–6 months after each session, so improvements accumulate progressively throughout the series.

Ideal Candidates

• Patients with fine lines, acne scars, enlarged pores, or dull texture
• Those seeking skin improvement with minimal recovery time
• Patients of all skin tones — microneedling is safe for darker skin types that may not tolerate lasers
• Anyone looking to enhance the effect of topical treatments or other procedures
• Good general health; no active skin infections or open acne lesions in treatment area

RF Microneedling with Morpheus8

For select patients, Dr. Kieu also offers radiofrequency (RF) microneedling using the Morpheus8 device. RF microneedling combines the collagen-stimulating effect of standard microneedling with the delivery of radiofrequency energy through the needle tips directly into the deeper dermis and subdermal tissue. The RF energy generates controlled heat at depth, producing a more pronounced skin tightening and remodeling effect than microneedling alone — particularly useful for mild-to-moderate skin laxity and deeper textural concerns.

Morpheus8 is not a treatment Dr. Kieu reaches for routinely — for most patients, standard microneedling with PRP or PRF produces excellent results with a gentler profile. She tends to recommend RF microneedling in specific situations: patients with early jowling or neck laxity, those with significant acne scarring requiring deeper remodeling, or cases where skin tightening is a primary goal alongside texture improvement. If RF microneedling is appropriate for your concerns, she will recommend it at consultation.