How people get it: Done by dermatologists and med spas, usually in a series of sessions. Home rollers use much shorter needles.
The basics
What it is
Microneedling is a non-surgical treatment option for facial skin aging.
Source: PubMed abstract: Microneedling for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review. ↗
What the research has found so far
- A review of studies found 83% of patients reported being satisfied with their microneedling treatment.
- A review of studies found microneedling was linked to high patient satisfaction and low rates of side effects.
- The review's authors said the lack of standard ways to measure results means more research is needed on how well it works for facial aging.
Source: PubMed abstract: Microneedling for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review. ↗
On Microneedling and aging, PubMed lists 46 trials in people, 55 studies that watched people over time, 8 animal and lab studies. See the counts and searches
Stage 2 because there are 46 published trials and 37 registered trials in people, but no large ones yet.
A stage shows how far research has got, not whether it will work for you. How stages work
Side effects and risks
A review of studies found the most common side effects were temporary redness, scaling, burning sensation and itching.
Source: PubMed abstract: Microneedling for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review. ↗
What to expect: sessions, results and recovery
In a review, most trials treated patients with multiple microneedling sessions, with schedules that varied by number and timing.
Source: PubMed abstract: Microneedling for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review. ↗
What studies and labels describe
What studies or labels describe, not a recommendation.
Studies have mostly used several microneedling sessions, and the number and timing of sessions varied.
Source: PubMed abstract: Microneedling for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review. ↗
Roughly what it costs
We don't have prices for this yet.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Is Microneedling a sensible option for me, given my health and the medicines I take?
- Could Microneedling interact with any medicine or supplement I already take?
- What side effects should I watch for, and when should I stop or call you?
- How would we tell whether it is helping, and when should we review it?
This is general information gathered from the sources listed, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.
What experts say
No expert views collected yet. Each one we add names the person and links to where they said it.
Recent research
New studies that mention Microneedling appear here after the morning update.
Trials
None of the registered trials of Microneedling is one we have linked as aging-related yet.
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 37 registered trials that mention Microneedling, for any condition (the count in The science below). Here we show the ones about aging. See them all ↗
The science
Counted from PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov on Oct 17, 2026, using one search for Microneedling in relation to aging. Each link opens the exact search.
- Randomized trials in people
- 35 search ↗
- Large trials (multicenter or phase 3)
- 1 search ↗
- Phase 3 trials
- 0 search ↗
- Trials in people
- 46 search ↗
- Studies that watched people over time
- 55 search ↗
- Animal and lab studies
- 8 search ↗
- Registered trials
- 37 search ↗
PubMed search used
(microneedling[tiab] OR "micro-needling"[tiab] OR "collagen induction therapy"[tiab] OR "percutaneous collagen induction"[tiab] OR "radiofrequency microneedling"[tiab] OR "microneedle radiofrequency"[tiab] OR "fractional microneedling radiofrequency"[tiab]) AND (wrinkle*[tiab] OR rejuvenation[tiab] OR "skin laxity"[tiab] OR "skin texture"[tiab] OR photoaging[tiab] OR "skin aging"[tiab] OR "skin ageing"[tiab] OR photodamage[tiab] OR "Skin Aging"[mh])
Counts are search results, so they include some records that only mention Microneedling. How we count
Cite or share this page
Longevity Verdict. (n.d.). Microneedling (including RF microneedling): Research stage and evidence. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://longevityverdict.com/treatments/microneedling
<iframe src="https://longevityverdict.com/embed/stage/microneedling" title="Microneedling (including RF microneedling): research stage on Longevity Verdict" width="340" height="72" style="border:0" loading="lazy"></iframe>
The badge shows this treatment's current research stage and links back here. It updates by itself when the stage changes.