A Guide to Microneedling and Collagen Induction Therapy

If you’ve been curious about microneedling – what it actually does, how it works, and whether it’s right for your skin. You’re in the right place.

Microneedling is one of the treatments I genuinely love talking about. The science behind it is fascinating, the results are real, and it’s one of the most versatile tools we have at Select Skin for improving skin texture, tone, and firmness, without surgery or significant downtime.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Microneedling?

First developed by Dr Desmond Fernandes in 1997, microneedling works by introducing controlled micro-injuries to the skin to trigger its natural healing response, which activates the production of new collagen and elastin, improving the skin’s texture, tone, and firmness over time.

It’s a minimally invasive treatment, suitable for a wide range of skin types and concerns, and it’s become one of the most well-researched and widely used procedures in professional skin clinics for good reason: it works. You may also see it referred to as skin needling, particularly in Australian clinics. Same treatment, same results.

Microneedling and Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT)

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and the scaffolding that keeps skin firm, plump, and elastic. From our mid-twenties, collagen production begins to decline, gradually at first, then more noticeably as we move through our thirties and forties. Sun exposure and environmental stress accelerate that decline.

Microneedling interrupts this process. By creating precise micro-injuries in the skin, it triggers the body’s repair mechanisms and stimulates fresh collagen and elastin production. This is what’s known as Collagen Induction Therapy, or CIT, and it’s the foundation of why microneedling delivers the results it does.

The Science Behind Microneedling

Modern microneedling devices use a pen-like handpiece fitted with fine surgical-grade needles. As the device moves across the skin, it creates thousands of micro-channels: tiny, controlled punctures that penetrate the skin’s surface without causing visible damage.

The skin reads these micro-injuries as a signal to repair. It responds by producing new collagen and elastin, increasing cell turnover, and improving overall skin architecture. Over a series of treatments, this cumulative repair process translates to visibly smoother texture, reduced lines and scarring, and a more even, radiant complexion.

Those micro-channels also serve another purpose: they significantly enhance the absorption of any serums or actives applied immediately after treatment. This is where exosome therapy comes in, and we’ll get to that below.

Dermapen 4: The Device We Use at Select Skin

Not all microneedling devices are equal. At Select Skin, we use the Dermapen 4 Medical skin needling device, one of the most advanced and well-regarded in the world, because precision and consistency matter when you’re working with the skin.

What sets the Dermapen 4 apart:

• 16 surgical-grade micro-needles arranged for effective, efficient coverage

• Advanced Oscillating Vertical Needle™ (AOVN) technology that creates 1,920 micro-channels per second, triggering the skin’s healing response more effectively than traditional rollers or pens

• Adjustable needle depth so treatment can be precisely calibrated to different areas and skin concerns

• Controlled micro-injury delivery that stimulates collagen and elastin production at an optimal level with minimal trauma

The result is a treatment that’s more comfortable, more consistent, and more effective than older microneedling methods, with results tailored to your skin’s specific needs.

What Can Microneedling Treat?

Dermapen 4 skin needling is particularly effective for:

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Loss of skin firmness and elasticity

• Acne scarring and post-surgical scarring

• Uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation

• Enlarged pores and uneven texture

• Stretch marks

It’s suitable for most skin types and tones, and because needle depth and intensity are fully adjustable, treatment can be tailored to very specific concerns and areas.

Microneedling and Exosome Therapy: A Powerful Combination

One of the most significant advances in how we use microneedling at Select Skin is pairing it with Exomide Exosome Skin Therapy.

Exosomes are tiny, stem cell-derived messengers that carry growth factors, peptides, and genetic instructions directly into skin cells, activating repair, stimulating collagen, and calming inflammation. On their own they’re remarkable. Applied immediately after microneedling, via the micro-channels the needling creates, their absorption is dramatically enhanced and their effect amplified.

The combination accelerates recovery, deepens results, and leaves the skin in a measurably better state than either treatment achieves alone. If you’d like to understand more about exosome therapy, we’ve written about it in detail separately.

What to Expect: Your Microneedling Treatment at Select Skin

Microneedling should always be performed by a qualified practitioner. At Select Skin, every treatment begins with a thorough skin consultation so we understand your skin, your goals, and the right approach for you.

1. Preparing your skin

In the two weeks before your appointment, we’ll recommend a tailored homecare routine using active skincare products. Well-prepared skin responds better to treatment and heals more effectively. This step matters.

2. On the day

When you arrive, a topical anaesthetic cream is applied to the treatment area. This takes around 40 minutes to work, so we build that time into your appointment. Most clients find the procedure comfortable once the numbing cream has taken effect.

3. The treatment

Your therapist guides the Dermapen 4 skin needling handpiece across your skin in careful, methodical passes. Needle depth and intensity are adjusted throughout to suit different areas. Thinner skin around the eyes, for example, is treated differently to the cheeks or forehead. The session itself is typically 30 to 45 minutes.

4. Immediately after

Targeted serums and protective creams are applied to support the healing process and protect the skin barrier. If you’re combining your treatment with exosome therapy, the exosomes are applied at this stage, absorbed deeply via the micro-channels the needling has created.

5. Aftercare at home

You’ll leave with clear aftercare instructions and any products you need. Expect some redness and mild sensitivity for a day or two. This is your skin healing, and exactly what we want. Sun protection is essential in the days following treatment.

Results: What to Realistically Expect

Microneedling results are cumulative. A single treatment produces noticeable improvements, but a series of typically three to six sessions, depending on your skin and goals, is where the real transformation happens.

Most clients notice improvements in texture and radiance within a week or two of their first session. Deeper changes in firmness, scarring, and overall skin quality develop over the following weeks as collagen remodelling progresses.

Results are also influenced by your homecare routine, UV protection, and how consistently you follow the plan we put together during your consultation. We’ll be with you every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is microneedling painful?

With topical anaesthetic applied beforehand, most clients find the treatment very manageable. You’ll feel some sensation, a mild prickling or warmth, but significant discomfort is uncommon. We always work at a pace and depth that suits you.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your skin and what you’re treating. For general skin rejuvenation and texture, three sessions is a common starting point. For acne scarring or more significant concerns, six or more may be recommended. We’ll map this out clearly during your consultation.

Is there downtime?

Microneedling is minimally invasive but not zero-downtime. Most clients experience redness and mild sensitivity for one to two days post-treatment, similar to a mild sunburn. By day three, most people are comfortable returning to normal activities and makeup. We’ll advise you on what to expect based on the depth of your treatment.

Is microneedling safe for all skin types?

Dermapen 4 microneedling is suitable for most skin types, including darker skin tones where some other resurfacing treatments carry risk. Your therapist will assess your skin thoroughly at consultation and flag any contraindications before proceeding.

Can microneedling be combined with other treatments?

Yes , and this is one of its strengths. At Select Skin, we frequently combine microneedling with Exomide Exosome Therapy for enhanced results and faster recovery. It can also complement HIFU and other treatments depending on your skin goals. We’ll discuss what makes sense for you during your consultation.

What’s the difference between microneedling and a dermal roller?

Dermal rollers are at-home devices with much shorter, less precise needles, creating surface-level stimulation but can’t match the depth, consistency, or safety of a medical-grade device like the Dermapen 4. Professional microneedling reaches the deeper layers where meaningful collagen stimulation actually happens, and the treatment is calibrated to your skin by a trained therapist.

Ready to Find Out If Microneedling Is Right for Your Skin?

The first step is a skin consultation: a thorough, no-pressure conversation where we look at your skin properly, understand what you’re hoping to achieve, and put together a treatment plan that makes sense for your goals and your budget.

Book your consultation at Select Skin, or get in touch if you have questions.

We’d look forward to seeing you soon.

Mel x