Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries that trigger the skin's own repair cascade, producing new collagen and elastin. Needle depth and passes are calibrated to your skin rather than set by protocol.
The same channels that stimulate repair also allow an infusion to be driven in, which is why the agent chosen changes the nature of the result.
What it treats
Depth is a decision, not a setting
Deeper is not better. Beyond the depth needed to trigger repair, additional trauma adds inflammation without adding stimulus, and inflammation is what produces pigmentation afterwards.
That trade-off is different for every skin, and it is the reason the approach here is deliberately conservative for deeper tones. The full protocol for that is in the third section below.
What a session is like
- Numbing
- Topical cream applied 30 to 45 minutes beforehand.
- Sensation
- Pressure and vibration. Most describe scratching rather than pain.
- Session length
- 60 to 90 minutes including numbing, and the blood draw for PRP.
- Course
- Typically 3 sessions.
- Interval
- 4 to 6 weeks, at least 6 for Fitzpatrick V and VI.
- Downtime
- Redness like mild sunburn, settling over 2 to 3 days.
- Full result
- 3 to 6 months after a series.
- Performed by
- Dr. Mundluru.
For PRP, blood is drawn first, similar to a routine blood test, then spun for 10 to 15 minutes to concentrate the plasma before it is applied.
Before, during and after
This is the protocol we follow. Open any of these to read it before booking, or again the week of your appointment.
Common questions
Is microneedling safe for darker skin?
Yes, with preparation and a conservative technique. Inflammation is what drives pigmentation afterwards, so the approach here uses shallower initial depth, fewer passes, no pinpoint bleeding as an endpoint, and intervals of at least six weeks for Fitzpatrick V and VI. Preparation in the four weeks beforehand matters more than the session itself, and the full protocol is set out on this page.
Does it hurt?
Topical numbing cream is applied 30 to 45 minutes beforehand, and with it most people describe a scratching or buzzing sensation rather than pain. The forehead, nose and upper lip are more sensitive than the cheeks.
PRP or a serum, which is better?
They do different things. PRP concentrates your own growth factors and produces a more robust healing response, with more redness in the first day but results that build further and last longer. Serums target a specific concern, such as hydration, brightening or collagen stimulation, with a milder recovery. Which one is chosen depends on what is being treated.
How many sessions will I need?
Typically three, four to six weeks apart and at least six weeks apart for Fitzpatrick V and VI. Texture and pore improvement is usually visible at four to six weeks, and acne scarring generally needs the full series before the change is clear.
Why can't I exercise afterwards?
The micro-channels created by needling stay open for about 24 hours, and sweat introduces bacteria into them. For the same reason, apply nothing to the skin except what we have approved, keep your hands off it, and sleep on a clean pillowcase.
I broke out after microneedling. Is that normal?
Small breakouts in the days afterwards are a normal purging response as congestion comes to the surface, and they resolve on their own. What is not expected is spreading redness, warmth, pus or fever, or new dark patches in the weeks after, and those are worth contacting us about.
Can I have microneedling while pregnant?
No. Microneedling is not performed during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It does not establish a physician-patient relationship, and it cannot account for your individual history, medications or skin. Suitability for treatment is decided at consultation following examination.