Microneedling: Cost, Results, and Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve been researching ways to improve your skin — whether it’s acne scars, fine lines, uneven texture, or just dullness that won’t quit — you’ve almost certainly come across microneedling. It’s one of the most popular aesthetic treatments in the country, and for good reason: it works, it’s backed by science, and it’s suitable for a wide range of skin types and concerns.

But with so many variations, price points, and claims floating around, it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s marketing. This guide covers everything you need to make an informed decision — from how microneedling works to what it costs at Radiant Holistic Health in the North Little Rock / Maumelle area.

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling — also called collagen induction therapy — uses a device equipped with fine, sterile needles to create thousands of tiny, controlled punctures in the skin’s surface. These micro-injuries are small enough that you won’t see them, but they’re significant enough to trigger your body’s natural wound-healing response.

That response is the whole point. When your skin detects these micro-injuries, it ramps up production of collagen and elastin — the two proteins responsible for keeping skin firm, smooth, and youthful. Over time, this new collagen remodels the treated area, improving texture, tone, and overall appearance.

It’s a deceptively simple concept: create controlled damage, let your body rebuild something better.

What Does Microneedling Treat?

Microneedling is remarkably versatile. It’s used to address:

Acne scars — particularly rolling and boxcar scars that create uneven texture
Fine lines and wrinkles — especially around the eyes, mouth, and forehead
Enlarged pores — collagen remodeling tightens pore appearance
Uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation — including sun damage and melasma
Stretch marks — on the abdomen, thighs, and other areas
General skin texture and dullness — for a smoother, more radiant complexion
Hair loss — stimulating dormant follicles on the scalp (more on this below)

The breadth of what microneedling can address is part of what makes it so popular. Few treatments offer this range of benefits with minimal downtime.

Types of Microneedling

Not all microneedling is the same. There are several variations, each with distinct advantages:

Standard Microneedling

The foundational treatment. A device with fine needles creates micro-channels in the skin, triggering collagen production. This is effective on its own for mild to moderate skin concerns and is the most affordable option.

PRP Microneedling (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

Often called the “vampire facial,” PRP microneedling combines standard microneedling with your own platelet-rich plasma. Before the procedure, a small amount of your blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to isolate the growth-factor-rich plasma. This PRP is then applied to your skin during microneedling, where it absorbs through the micro-channels.

The growth factors in PRP accelerate healing and enhance collagen production beyond what microneedling alone can achieve. It’s particularly effective for acne scarring, deeper wrinkles, and overall skin rejuvenation.

RF Microneedling (Radiofrequency)

RF microneedling adds radiofrequency energy to the process. The needles deliver heat energy into the deeper layers of the skin, causing additional collagen contraction and remodeling. This makes RF microneedling especially effective for skin tightening and laxity — concerns that standard microneedling addresses less directly.

RF microneedling tends to produce more dramatic results for sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and larger pores, though it typically comes at a higher price point.

Exosome Microneedling

One of the newer developments in the field, exosome microneedling applies exosomes — tiny cell-derived vesicles packed with growth factors, proteins, and signaling molecules — to the skin during treatment. Exosomes are thought to enhance cellular communication and repair, potentially amplifying the regenerative effects of microneedling.

This option is gaining traction for clients seeking maximum rejuvenation, particularly for aging skin and more stubborn scarring.

What Happens During Treatment?

Here’s what to expect when you come to Radiant Holistic Health for a microneedling session:

Step 1 — Consultation. Hannah Blaylock, APRN, will evaluate your skin, discuss your goals, and recommend the most appropriate type of microneedling for your needs.

Step 2 — Cleansing and numbing. Your skin is thoroughly cleansed, and a topical numbing cream is applied. We typically let the numbing cream work for 20-30 minutes to ensure your comfort.

Step 3 — Treatment. The microneedling device is passed over the treatment area in a systematic pattern. If you’re receiving PRP or exosome microneedling, those serums are applied during this step. The actual treatment takes about 20-30 minutes for the face.

Step 4 — Post-treatment care. A soothing serum or mask is applied, and you’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions before heading home.

Does Microneedling Hurt?

This is everyone’s first question, and the honest answer is: not much. The topical numbing cream does the heavy lifting. Most clients describe the sensation as a light scratching or vibrating feeling. Some areas — like around the nose and forehead — are more sensitive than others, but the discomfort is very manageable.

On a scale of 1 to 10, most of our clients rate it between a 2 and a 4.

Downtime and Aftercare

Microneedling has significantly less downtime than more aggressive treatments like laser resurfacing or chemical peels. Here’s what to expect:

Day 1-2: Your skin will look and feel like a mild sunburn — pink to red, warm, and slightly tight. This is normal.
Day 2-3: Redness fades. Some clients experience minor flaking or dryness as the skin renews itself.
Day 4-7: Most visible signs of treatment are gone. Your skin begins to look smoother and more luminous.

Aftercare essentials:

Avoid direct sun exposure and wear SPF 30+ daily for at least two weeks
Skip active skincare ingredients (retinol, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C serums) for 3-5 days
Don’t wear makeup for at least 12-24 hours post-treatment
Use gentle, hydrating cleansers and moisturizers
Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and heavy sweating for 48-72 hours

Following these guidelines closely makes a real difference in your results.

When Will You See Results?

Microneedling results aren’t instant — they build as your body produces new collagen. Here’s a general timeline:

1-2 weeks: Initial glow and improved skin texture as inflammation resolves and surface-level healing completes
4-6 weeks: Noticeable improvement in fine lines, pore size, and overall tone as new collagen starts to mature
3-6 months: Maximum results, particularly for acne scars and deeper concerns, as collagen remodeling continues

This is why we recommend a series of treatments rather than a single session. Each treatment builds on the last, compounding results over time.

How Many Sessions Do You Need?

The number of sessions depends on what you’re treating:

General skin refreshing and mild concerns: 3 sessions, spaced 4-6 weeks apart
Moderate acne scarring or wrinkles: 4-6 sessions
Deep scarring or significant texture issues: 6+ sessions

Many clients continue with maintenance treatments once or twice a year after completing their initial series.

Microneedling for Hair Restoration

Microneedling isn’t just for the face. It’s increasingly used as a treatment for hair thinning and hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) in both men and women.

The mechanism is similar to facial microneedling: the micro-injuries stimulate blood flow and growth factor release in the scalp, which can reactivate dormant hair follicles and improve the absorption of topical hair growth treatments. When combined with PRP, scalp microneedling has shown promising results in clinical studies.

Hair restoration microneedling typically requires a longer series of treatments — usually 4-6 sessions minimum — and results develop gradually over several months.

Cost at Radiant Holistic Health

We believe in transparent pricing. Here’s what microneedling costs at our clinic:

Facial Microneedling:

Single session: $400
Package of 3 sessions: $1,000 (save $200)

Hair Restoration Microneedling:

Single session: $600
Package of 4 sessions: $2,200 (save $200)

The package pricing makes a meaningful difference, especially since most treatment plans involve multiple sessions. During your consultation, Hannah will recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific goals and budget.

Microneedling is typically not covered by insurance, as it’s considered an elective aesthetic procedure.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Microneedling is suitable for most skin types and tones — one of its significant advantages over laser treatments, which can cause hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones. Good candidates include:

Adults with acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, or uneven skin texture
People with mild to moderate skin laxity
Those experiencing hair thinning
Anyone looking for a skin-refreshing treatment with minimal downtime

Who Should Avoid Microneedling?

Microneedling is not recommended for people with:

Active acne breakouts or skin infections in the treatment area
History of keloid scarring
Active eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea flares in the treatment area
Blood clotting disorders or those on blood-thinning medications
Pregnancy
Recent radiation therapy in the treatment area

If you’re unsure whether microneedling is right for you, a consultation is the best place to start. Hannah can evaluate your skin and health history to determine the safest and most effective approach.

Is Microneedling Worth It?

For most people — yes. Microneedling offers real, measurable improvements in skin quality without the cost, risk, or downtime of surgical procedures. The results are natural-looking because they’re literally built by your own body’s collagen production.

The key is setting realistic expectations and committing to the recommended number of sessions. A single treatment will give you a nice glow. A full series can genuinely transform your skin.

Ready to learn more? Visit our microneedling services page or call Radiant Holistic Health at (501) 441-3735 to schedule a consultation with Hannah Blaylock, APRN, in the North Little Rock / Maumelle area.