If you’re interested in microneedling, you have probably scrolled through galleries where images look filtered and tell you nothing about how they got those results. This page is built the opposite way.
These are microneedling before and after photos of our clients.
We do not retouch, filter, or colour-grade these images, and our clients wear no makeup.
We show honest results from one, two, or three sessions, so you can see whether microneedling suits your concerns. If you need a different treatment, book a free consultation.
Microneedling Before and After: Our Client Photographs
We shot all images in our Caterham room. We tried to capture each microneedling before and after photos under similar conditions: same lighting, camera, and angles.
In the caption, we tell you which areas were treated, how many sessions the client had, the intervals between sessions, and how many weeks passed between the final session and the ‘after’ shot.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a controlled skin resurfacing procedure.
It works by triggering your skin’s natural healing process to stimulate collagen production.
A device with very fine sterile needles creates tiny punctures in the top layer of the skin.
These punctures close within hours, but the response they trigger- inflammation followed by repair and new collagen- takes weeks to months.
The mechanism, in plain terms
Your skin is built on a scaffold of collagen and elastin. From your late twenties onward, your skin makes less of both, and existing fibres break down.
Microneedling exploits a simple fact: the wound-healing pathway that closes a paper cut also lays down new collagen underneath, and the needles are calibrated to trigger the pathway without leaving a mark on the skin above.
Over the eight to twelve weeks after each microneedling session, that new collagen matures and slightly thickens the dermis.
Repeat the process three or four times, and the cumulative effect shows up in real life and in photographs.
What Changes, and When
Most people ask us these two questions: What will you see after a single appointment? And what will you see if you commit to the full course of treatment?
After one session
Your skin will be pink for the rest of the day, but will settle overnight. Over the next two or three days, most of our patients tell us their skin feels smoother and looks a little brighter.
That is the effect of the exfoliation, which is the first stage of repair.
Within two weeks, your skin tone may look more even and your pores less prominent, but the effect doesn’t last long. This is why some clients book a single session before events.
One session provides a glow. It cannot soften scarring, reduce stubborn pigmentation, or significantly change skin texture. Be wary of claims that one appointment solves specific skin issues.
After a course of three to four sessions
The best way to see the full effect of microneedling is after three or four sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart.
Collagen response takes effect between eight to twelve weeks, giving your skin time to finish repairing.
Most of our clients who have completed the treatment observe the following effects:
- Softer fine lines around the eyes and mouth
- More even overall tone
- Pores that look smaller
- Reduction in the appearance of shallow scarring
More complex concerns take longer and may need a second course, or different treatment altogether.
If your skin sits somewhere in between, microneedling with an exosome boost can support recovery between sessions.
What Microneedling Treats Well
We recommend microneedling for clients experiencing concerns with skin texture and quality, such as:
- Fine lines around the eyes and mouth
- Overall skin texture and smoothness
- Enlarged pores
- Uneven skin tone and mild pigmentation
- The appearance of shallow acne scars
- Post-inflammatory marks left after breakouts
- Product absorption from your daily skincare
- Overall skin brightness and firmer skin quality
These work best when combined with our other advanced facial treatments.
What results are more modest
Microneedling does not resolve deep ice-pick scarring, active inflammatory acne, deep static wrinkles that stay visible when your face is at rest, or laxity that is more about lost volume than surface quality.
If these concerns apply, we will suggest a better alternative rather than provide an ineffective treatment.
For active acne, we recommend seeing your GP first. For pigmentation that has resisted good skincare, chemical peels are often a more direct route.
For hydration and overall skin quality without needling, skin boosters add hyaluronic acid at the dermal level, but results vary from person to person.
For deep static lines and lost volume, consider dermal filler treatments and anti-wrinkle injections too. They address different things, which we can discuss during the free initial consultation.
What Microneedling Costs
One microneedling treatment at Opulent Aesthetics starts at £130 per session. A standard course of 3 to 4 sessions is between £390 and £520.
Book the course upfront to receive a 10% discount.
How many sessions do you need?
Our standard course is 3 or 4 sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Some concerns require more than the standard three to four sessions, and we can guide you at your consultation.
Generally, three sessions are enough for those with normal skin, with a maintenance session every 3 to 6 months.
We discuss this during the first consultation.
During this free session, we discuss your goals, examine your skin, and recommend the best treatment plan.
When Microneedling Goes Wrong
Microneedling is safe when performed by a qualified professional, and it is not considered a harsh or invasive treatment.
Normal recovery includes pink skin for a day, some tightness for another day or two, and light flaking on days three and four as the surface renews and the skin repairs itself.
Things can still go wrong, especially when the procedure isn’t performed by a trained professional or when aftercare is ignored.
Visible signs include tracking marks along the cheeks or forehead and unexpected breakouts.
Please call the clinic that treated you the same day if any of the following happens:
- Bleeding that does not settle within two hours
- Swelling that gets worse rather than better after twenty-four hours
- Yellow discharge, crusting or an unusual smell
- A rash spreading beyond the treated area
- Sensitivity that gets worse rather than better on day three or four
- Any change in pigment in the treated area within four weeks
Common Questions
How long does it take to see results from microneedling?
Redness usually settles within hours or a few days, revealing brighter, smoother skin.
Beneath the surface, the skin continues healing and producing collagen for eight to twelve weeks, with improvements accumulating over time.
Is two sessions enough?
Usually not. We recommend three or four sessions, four to six weeks apart, with the final result assessed twelve weeks after your last one.
Two sessions can give you a visible glow, but they rarely resolve a specific concern.
What will my face look like two days after?
You may experience mild redness, like a moderate sunburn, on day one. This may ease by day two, sometimes accompanied by light flaking as the surface renews.
Most clients feel comfortable in public with mineral makeup by around forty-eight hours. Please avoid heavy makeup on day one.
Is microneedling worth it?
Microneedling is generally worth it if you want to improve the appearance of acne scars, fine lines, or uneven skin texture.
However, the results depend on the frequency and time between sessions your aesthetician recommends.
Before starting a treatment, book a free consultation so the aesthetician can assess your face.
Does microneedling age you faster?
No. The needles create micro-injuries that prompt your skin to produce new collagen, which can help you look more youthful.
Is 40 too old for microneedling?
No, microneedling is suitable across adult ages, including 40+.
Collagen production slows as people age; microneedling stimulates it.
Book Your Free Consultation
Whether you’re new to microneedling or returning for your next course, we’d love to help you look after your skin.
Drop by our Caterham and South Croydon rooms, or get in touch with the team to book your free consultation.