At Home Microneedling vs. Med Spa Microneedling

In the past decade microneedling has taken the world of beauty by storm. Thousands of microneedling videos can be found on TikTok – and Instagram is full of photos of celebrities and everyday people displaying the many skincare benefits of microneedling. Microneedling is indeed an extremely effective treatment for reducing fine lines, minimizing dark spots (hyperpigmentation), reducing pores, smoothing acne scars, and tightening loose facial skin.

Originally, microneedling was only performed in a med spa by a trained aesthetic professional. But, soon thereafter, “over the counter” or “do it yourself” microneedling treatments started to be sold online – especially on Amazon and in the TikTok shop. But do these at-home microneedling products really work? And are they worth the money?

The reality is that there are some huge differences between the microneedling products and tools you can buy on the internet, and the medical-grade microneedling performed at a licensed medical spa. In this article, the skincare experts at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids discuss the differences between at-home microneedling and clinical strength med spa microneedling.

At Home Microneedling is Not as Effective as Med Spa Microneedling

Microneedling works by creating tiny puncture “wounds” in the skin that stimulate the body’s repair mechanisms. As the body repairs the perceived injury from the needle penetration, new collagen and elastin is produced that smooths and tightens the skin.

But the microneedling tools sold online for home use are much shorter, and therefore much less effective, than clinical-grade med spa microneedling devices. Typically, at-home microneedling devices contain needles that are 0.25 to 1mm. This means that they only penetrate the top, superficial layer of the skin (epidermis) – so the skin repairs are superficial as well.

Medical grade microneedling devices, however, penetrate much more deeply. At Spa Medica Grand Rapids we offer Morpheus8 RF microneedling that has the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin than any other microneedling device, going as deep as 4mm!

These longer needles penetrate deep into the dermis (lower layers of skin) stimulating skin regeneration on a deeper structural level for superior, longer lasting results.

At Home Microneedling Hurts A Lot More than RF Microneedling!

Because over-the-counter microneedling devices are not clinical grade, the needles are typically thicker and more jagged – often causing tear and pulling of the skin that is downright painful. Additionally, at-home microneedling must be done without any anesthetic, making the process even more painful!

However, the clinical grade microneedles used by professionals, including Morpheus8 at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids, are incredibly fine and smooth. This means deeper insertion without pulling, tearing and tissue injury – so there is less pain.

Additionally, we offer medical grade anesthetic (numbing) to every patient – so microneedling does not hurt at all when performed at SpaMedica in Grand Rapids!

RF Med Spa Microneedling Includes RadioFrequency

The biggest advantage of medical microneedling is the incorporation of radiofrequency energy during the treatment. SpaMedica offers Morpheus8, a state-of-the-art medical device that combines microneedling with radiofrequency to achieve advanced repair and remodeling of the skin on a deeper cellular level.

Morpheus8 is a “Subdermal Adipose Remodeling Device” (SARD) which delivers RF heat energy deep into the dermis through the microneedles during penetration. This thermal energy not only instantly contracts and tightens skin, it accelerates collagen and elastin production, and it can also melt and mold the fat for facial and body contouring.

Obviously, at-home microneedling equipment does not include radiofrequency energy. So in addition to being much more painful, at-home microneedling will never be nearly as effective a medical grade radiofrequency med spa microneedling.

At Home Microneedling is Not Always Safe

In addition to being more comfortable and more effective, med spa microneedling is also much safer than trying to microneedle your face at home. Everyone’s skin type and dermal condition is unique.  So, while microneedling treatments are great for most adults and the majority of skin types, there are exceptions – and some people are not good candidates for microneedling

People with certain underlying medical conditions, including bleeding or scarring disorders, or who take certain medications (such as blood thinners) are not good candidates for microneedling. Additionally, microneedling at home can cause certain skin conditions to flare up – making skin problems, including hyperpigmentation, eczema, rosacea and acne, worse. So, a consultation with a licensed medical professional is very important before trying microneedling – to ensure that microneedling is safe and right for you.

Additionally, at home microneedling can lead to infection, scarring and other complications if the conditions or products are not 100% sterile. And with many online products coming from China, there is no way to know if the needles and products you are putting into your skin are sterile and safe.

The licensed med spa providers at Spa Medica in Grand Rapids have the skill, training, and clinical tools to achieve optimum results for you based on your unique skin and medical history – while also avoiding infection, preventing damage to your skin, and ensuring there is no worsening of underlying conditions.

Best Med Spa Microneedling – Grand Rapids, MI

Med Spa Radiofrequency Microneedling provides a safer, less painful and much more effective treatment than in-home microneedling. SpaMedica in Grand Rapids, MI will develop an individualized microneedling treatment plan just for you – based on your unique skin type and condition – utilizing the latest technologies in radiofrequency skin rejuvenation.

Schedule an appointment at Spa Medica in Grand Rapids today and get clearer, tighter, smoother, younger looking skin with Morpheus8 RF Microneedling!

Grand Rapids RF Microneedling: (616) 888-3890