Improve Skin Texture, Tone, Fine Lines & Acne Scars With Microneedling

If your skin looks less smooth or firm than it used to, or you’re bothered by acne scars, enlarged pores, fine lines, or uneven texture, microneedling may be an excellent option for you.

At Refine Dermatology in Knoxville, TN, we use microneedling to stimulate your skin’s natural healing process and encourage new collagen and elastin production. The result is gradual, natural-looking improvement in the overall quality and appearance of your skin.

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment with relatively little downtime, making it a popular choice for patients who want to rejuvenate their skin without more aggressive procedures.

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling is a cosmetic dermatology treatment that uses very fine, sterile needles to create tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the skin.

These controlled micro-injuries stimulate the body's natural wound-healing response. As your skin repairs itself, it produces new collagen and elastin.

Rather than dramatically changing your appearance, microneedling works with your body's own regenerative processes to gradually improve your skin.

At Refine Dermatology, we use SkinPen®, an FDA-cleared microneedling device designed specifically for this type of treatment.

What Can Microneedling Treat?

One of the benefits of microneedling is its versatility. It can address several common skin concerns with a single treatment approach.

Microneedling may improve the appearance of:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Acne scars
• Enlarged pores
• Uneven skin texture
• Uneven skin tone
• Hyperpigmentation
• Dull-looking skin
• Mild loss of firmness

Because microneedling stimulates collagen production rather than simply resurfacing the outermost layer of the skin, improvements continue to develop over time.

How Does Microneedling Work?

During a microneedling treatment, the device creates controlled microchannels in the skin using tiny sterile needles.

These micro-injuries activate the body's natural repair response. As part of that process, your skin begins producing new collagen and elastin.

Collagen provides structure and strength to the skin, while elastin helps it maintain flexibility. As new collagen is produced and remodeled, the skin can gradually become smoother, firmer, and more even in appearance.

What Happens During a Microneedling Appointment?

Your comfort is an important part of the treatment experience.

Before your microneedling procedure, a topical numbing cream is applied to the treatment area. The numbing cream typically sits for approximately 30 minutes before the procedure begins.

Once your skin is numb, the microneedling treatment itself generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

During treatment, you may feel some pressure or light vibrating sensations. Some areas, particularly the forehead, may be more sensitive than others. However, most patients tolerate microneedling very well.

From beginning to end, you can expect to spend a little over an hour in the office.

What Can I Expect After Microneedling?

Immediately following treatment, your skin will likely look red and may feel warm or sensitive. This can resemble a more intense sunburn and is a normal part of the healing process.

For most patients, the redness begins improving fairly quickly.

Here is a typical timeline:

Immediately after treatment: Skin may appear red and feel warm or sensitive.

The following day: Redness is typically significantly improved.

Around day three: Your skin often looks much closer to normal.

Within about one week: Many patients begin noticing a healthy, refreshed glow.

Although the visible redness resolves relatively quickly, the deeper rejuvenation process continues long after the treatment itself.

How Long Does It Take to See Microneedling Results?

Microneedling produces gradual results because your body needs time to produce and remodel new collagen.

You may notice improvements in your skin's overall appearance and glow relatively soon after treatment. However, collagen production continues for months, meaning your skin can continue to improve well beyond the initial recovery period.

More significant results may develop over several months, with changes continuing for up to approximately six months after treatment.

How Many Microneedling Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments recommended depends on your individual skin concerns and goals.

For many patients, a series of treatments provides the best results. A typical starting plan may include three to four treatments spaced approximately four to six weeks apart.

Some patients may benefit from additional treatments depending on the concern being treated and the degree of improvement desired.

During your cosmetic consultation, we can evaluate your skin and recommend a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.

Is There Downtime After Microneedling?

One of the reasons patients choose microneedling is that it offers skin rejuvenation with relatively little downtime.

Your skin may be red and mildly inflamed for approximately 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions to help your skin heal properly and maximize your results.

You should plan to protect your skin from sun exposure following treatment and follow the post-treatment skincare recommendations provided by our team.

Is Microneedling Safe for All Skin Types?

Microneedling is a versatile treatment that can be appropriate for many different skin types.

However, not every cosmetic treatment is right for every person. Your skin type, current skin condition, medical history, medications, and treatment goals should all be considered before beginning a cosmetic procedure.

At Refine Dermatology, we believe cosmetic treatments should be personalized rather than one-size-fits-all. A professional evaluation allows us to determine whether microneedling is appropriate for you and whether another treatment may provide better results for your specific concerns.

Why Choose Refine Dermatology for Microneedling?

Cosmetic treatments should still be approached with medical expertise and careful attention to your individual skin.

At Refine Dermatology, our cosmetic philosophy centers around personalized, physician-led care.

Our goal is simple: to help you achieve healthy, beautiful skin while keeping your results natural-looking.

Ready to Improve Your Skin?

If you're looking for a minimally invasive way to improve skin texture, tone, fine lines, acne scars, or overall skin quality, microneedling may be a great option.

At Refine Dermatology in Knoxville, TN, we take a personalized, physician-led approach to cosmetic dermatology. We'll help you understand your options and determine whether microneedling is the right treatment for your skin.

Contact Refine Dermatology to schedule a cosmetic consultation and learn more about microneedling in Knoxville, TN.

Frequently Asked Questions About Microneedling

Does microneedling hurt?

Most patients tolerate microneedling very well. A topical numbing cream is applied before treatment to help keep you comfortable. You may feel pressure or light vibrating sensations during the procedure, and some areas may be more sensitive than others.

How long does a microneedling treatment take?

The microneedling procedure itself typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Because topical numbing cream is applied beforehand, you should plan to spend a little over an hour at the office for the entire appointment.

How long will my skin be red after microneedling?

Your skin will typically appear red immediately after treatment, similar to a more intense sunburn. For many patients, the redness is substantially improved by the following day and the skin looks much closer to normal by approximately day three.

When will I see results from microneedling?

You may notice a healthy glow within about a week, but the deeper benefits develop gradually. Your skin continues producing and remodeling collagen for months after treatment, with results continuing to develop for up to approximately six months.

How many microneedling treatments do I need?



A series of treatments is generally recommended for optimal results. Many patients begin with three to four treatments spaced approximately four to six weeks apart, although your individual treatment plan will depend on your skin and goals.

Can microneedling help acne scars?

Yes. Microneedling can be an effective treatment for improving the appearance of acne scars by stimulating collagen production and remodeling the skin. The number of treatments needed can vary depending on the type and severity of scarring.

Can microneedling help wrinkles?

Microneedling can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating new collagen and elastin production. Because the treatment works gradually, results tend to look natural rather than dramatically altering your appearance.

Does microneedling help enlarged pores?

Microneedling may help improve the appearance of enlarged pores by stimulating collagen and improving overall skin texture.

Is microneedling the same as a chemical peel?

No. Both are considered skin rejuvenation treatments, but they work differently. Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen production, while chemical peels use a chemical solution to exfoliate and resurface the skin.

The best option depends on your skin concerns and goals.

If you’d like to discuss cosmetics further, please feel free to give us a call or contact us by filling out our cosmetic survey and we’ll reach out to you by the next business day to schedule you with Dr. Salyards or Bailey Chitwood.