Microneedling vs. Laser: Which Skin Rejuvenation Treatment Is Right for You?

In recent years, skin care has shifted from treating isolated concerns to focusing on restoration and repair. Advancements in technology have brought modern treatments, such as microneedling and lasers, that address issues like sun damage, fine lines, scarring, enlarged pores, acne, and more. These treatments promote overall skin rejuvenation to stimulate collagen, repair sun damage and minimize and prevent the signs of aging.

However, with most treatments offering the benefits of rejuvenation, it’s not always easy to decide which may be right for your skin. Two of the most popular options are microneedling and laser. If you’ve been searching for microneedling near you or considering laser skin care, this guide compares both to help you choose the treatment that best meets your skin’s needs. 

Microneedling Near You: Revitalize Your Skin

Microneedling is a skin resurfacing treatment designed to stimulate the skin’s natural repair process. It’s performed with a handheld device with very fine needles that create micro-punctures on the skin’s surface, activating the body’s natural healing to stimulate collagen and repair the skin. In as few as three treatments, microneedling can help improve your complexion,  the appearance of wrinkles on the face or neck, texture irregularities, pore size and the appearance of acne scars.

Microneedling is a non-invasive procedure that usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the area being treated. There’s no downtime and you can go home immediately after the procedure. 

Mild bruising, redness, and swelling are common, and deeper penetration may cause minor bleeding. Applying ice packs can help reduce redness, and it’s important to avoid sun exposure until your skin heals. Results can be seen after three sessions spaced three weeks apart.

We also offer Radiofrequency Microneedling, which combines thermal energy and needling for smoother and firmer skin. RF energy delivers gentle heat into the deeper layers of the skin. This thermal effect causes existing collagen fibers to contract and stimulates fibroblasts (the cells that produce collagen) to form new collagen. When combined, fractionated RF microneedling delivers more enhanced rejuvenation results than either treatment could achieve alone.

At Visage Med Spa, we can add Klardie® Skin Boosters, PDRN (DNA sourced from salmon), or Ariessence® Platelet Derived Growth Factor to amp up your results. All our RF Microneedling treatments are combined with a light Erbium YAG laser treatment. This will bring your result to the next level. Book a consultation for a personalized treatment plan. 

Laser Skin Care: Resurfacing Treatment for Smooth, Vibrant Skin

Laser skin care treatments use concentrated light energy to target specific concerns. The energy penetrates the skin’s layers, creating controlled heat that triggers the body’s natural repair process. This response stimulates collagen and elastin production, removes damaged cells, and gradually improves skin tone, texture, and firmness, which is why they’re often referred to as skin resurfacing treatments.

Lasers use different wavelengths to reach varying depths of the skin. Selecting the right wavelength for your specific skin concern helps achieve the most effective results. Ablative lasers like the Erbium YAG remove the skin’s outer layer to stimulate collagen and promote skin repair and rejuvenation. These types of laser skin care treatments are recommended for deeper wrinkles, pronounced sun damage, and acne scarring. 

Non-ablative laser skin care treatments, for example, Lase MD, are suitable for skin rejuvenation, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, and scars. It’s a fractional laser which delivers micro-beams of energy into the skin’s inner layer without removing the surface. Lase MD fractional laser treats columns of skin while leaving the surrounding skin intact for faster healing.

Ablative lasers like Erbium YAG usually take longer to heal, about ten days to two weeks, as they penetrate deeper in the skin. However, fewer sessions are required to see results. Lase MD offers faster healing, about three days to a week, but may involve more sessions due to shallower penetration. 

At Visage Med Spa, we often combine BroadBand Light with LaseMD for optimal correction of skin texture and tone. Light settings may be used for a laser peel. 

Microneedling vs. Laser: Which One is Right for You

Microneedling and laser are both minimally invasive treatments that help rejuvenate your skin and are highly effective for acne scarring, sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles. Understanding the differences will make it easier to choose the treatment that’s right for you:

• Treatment method: Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries (and with RF, added heat) to trigger the body’s natural healing response to repair the skin. Lasers use light energy to penetrate the skin and induce collagen production for skin regeneration. 

• Issues they treat: Both treatments are highly effective for overall skin rejuvenation. However, laser treatments, especially ablative ones can treat deeper wrinkles, lines and sun damage while microneedling is suitable for mild to moderate repair. 

• Downtime: With microneedling, there's typically minimal downtime. Lasers may take longer, depending on the type of treatment.

• Sessions required: Microneedling usually requires a series of three or more treatments spaced a few weeks apart. Ablative lasers may show visible results after one session, with each session lasting about half to one hour. Non-ablative fractional lasers often need multiple treatments for the best results.

Treatment results for microneedling and laser skin care include firmer, more even looking skin with anti aging benefits. Ablative lasers generally offer quicker results. Maintenance treatments are required for both to maintain results. 

The most effective treatment is one that’s designed around your features, skin health, and comfort level. A consultation with an experienced provider at a reputable med spa near you is the best way to understand your options and get a personalized treatment plan to achieve your desired outcome.  

Your Best Look Starts Here: Laser Skin Care and Microneedling Near You 

Microneedling and laser skin care treatments are both non-surgical and highly effective skin resurfacing treatments. With an experienced provider and a treatment plan tailored to your aesthetic requirements, they can even be combined together or with other aesthetic procedures like dermal fillers and injectables to get more transformative results. The right choice comes down to your skin’s unique needs, desired recovery time, and long-term goals.

If you’re searching for a med spa near me that prioritizes personalized care in a warm, welcoming environment, we’re here for you. With over 20 years of experience and a range of aesthetic services, our team is committed to helping you look and feel your best. 

Serving patients near Mayfield, Beachwood, Orange Village, Willoughby, Kirtland, and Cleveland’s East Side, we specialize in advanced treatments designed to deliver natural results. Call today or book online to schedule your consultation.