Your skin has been slowly losing collagen since your mid-20s. Roughly 1% per year, according to dermatology experts. When you do the math at 35 or 40, it adds up to a gradual loss of firmness and elasticity. Microneedling prompts the body to rebuild its own collagen, and at Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic, we offer Rejuvapen microneedling in Houston to improve your skin’s health and appearance with no incisions and very little downtime.
If you’re familiar with SkinPen® microneedling, this is the same type of treatment. Rejuvapen NXT® is an FDA-cleared, medical-grade microneedling pen with adjustable settings to address fine lines, certain acne scars, textural changes and early laxity. Every treatment is performed by a team trained and supervised by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Payne for precision you can trust and results you can feel confident about.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive treatment that creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to improve texture, firmness, and overall radiance. You may also know it by the name of the device used, such as SkinPen or Rejuvapen. The idea can sound counterintuitive at first — deliberately damaging the skin to improve it — but those tiny injuries activate your body’s natural healing response, which in turn stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen and elastin production.
That makes microneedling useful for concerns that involve skin texture, including fine lines, acne scars, enlarged pores and mild laxity. Treatment can also be adjusted in depth and intensity depending on the area being treated and the type of improvement you want to achieve.
Benefits of Microneedling
- No surgery, no incisions. Microneedling creates microscopic channels in the skin’s surface, small enough that the skin seals them within hours and recovers within days.
- Works across a wide range of skin tones. Unlike some laser treatments, microneedling doesn’t target melanin, which makes it a suitable option for patients across a broad range of Fitzpatrick skin types.
- Addresses multiple concerns in one treatment. Fine lines, certain acne scars, uneven texture, photoaging and early firmness changes can all be addressed within the same session, depending on your skin and treatment plan.
- Results that build over time. Because the improvement comes from your own collagen production, results look natural and continue to develop for weeks after each session.
- Treatable on the face and body. Microneedling isn’t limited to the face. It can be used on the neck, décolletage, abdomen and other areas where skin quality is a concern.
- Performed within a board-certified plastic surgeon’s practice. At Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic, treatment planning and clinical oversight reflect the standards of a surgical practice led by Dr. Payne.
- Can be combined with other treatments. For patients addressing skin texture alongside other concerns, microneedling can be incorporated into a broader skincare plan that includes dermal fillers, wrinkle relaxers and more.
- Precise, personalized treatments with Rejuvapen NXT. Your provider can adjust needle depth and speed for each area of the face for highly personalized treatments. The device also features a corded design for continuous, consistent power throughout treatment and uses sterile, single-use cartridges for each patient.
What Can Microneedling Treat?
Microneedling is used for a range of skin concerns, including:
- Fine lines and early wrinkles
- Certain acne scars and post-inflammatory texture changes
- Uneven skin texture
- Enlarged pores
- Loss of firmness and elasticity
- Stretch marks, depending on clinical assessment
Some concerns, like surface texture and photoaging, tend to respond relatively quickly. Others, like deeper scarring or firmness changes, take more time. During your consultation, your provider will give you an honest picture of what’s realistic for your particular needs and goals.
Is Microneedling Right for Me?
Most adults who want to improve their skin’s health and appearance are good candidates for microneedling. Because it is a physical, mechanical process that uses needles instead of heat or lasers, microneedling is generally safe for all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) and less likely to trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
That being said, people who report the most satisfying outcomes tend to have the following in common:
- A specific skin quality concern: Microneedling is most effective when there’s a defined concern to address, such as acne scarring, textural irregularity or early laxity. Patients with realistic expectations about gradual improvement typically have better experiences than those expecting immediate or dramatic results.
- Stable overall health: As with any in-office treatment, candidates should be in good general health. Active infections, certain inflammatory conditions and medications can affect whether treatment is appropriate at a given time.
- No active skin infections or open wounds: Microneedling on compromised skin creates unnecessary risk. Your provider will review your skin at your consultation and reschedule if the timing isn’t right.
- A willingness to protect results with sun care: Microneedling initiates a healing process, and UV exposure during that window can interfere with recovery and affect outcomes. Sun protection before and after treatment is part of the commitment.
While appropriate for a wide range of patients, candidacy still depends on your medical history and the condition of your skin at the time of treatment. A history of keloid scarring warrants careful evaluation, while pregnancy, nursing and certain medications that interfere with healing may affect whether treatment is recommended. Dr. Payne and his team will review these factors during your consultation to determine if Rejuvapen microneedling is right for you.
What Should I Expect at My Microneedling Appointment?
A microneedling appointment at our Houston practice typically takes about 60 minutes to complete. The first step is applying a topical anesthetic, which takes 30 to 45 minutes to reach full effect. Once your skin is numb, your provider reviews the treatment zones and sets the Rejuvapen NXT to the appropriate depth and speed for each area.
The numbing cream keeps you comfortable, so most patients describe the treatment itself as pressure rather than pain. The handpiece moves evenly across the skin in a controlled pattern. Treatment time, after the anesthetic has taken effect, is usually around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size and scope of the area being addressed.
What Is the Microneedling Recovery Process Like?
Microneedling recovery tends to be relatively mild. Immediately after your appointment, your skin will look pink or flushed and may feel warm, tight or mildly sensitive, similar to a moderate sunburn. This is an expected response and part of the controlled healing process. For most patients, the redness settles over the next day or two as the skin starts to recover.
You’ll be able to resume your normal routine right away, with no need to take time off from work and other activities. Some visible redness may linger, but this can be covered with makeup after about 24 hours. Your skin may also be more reactive than usual in the first few days following treatment, so gentle skincare and sun protection are especially important. Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions based on your treatment plan.
Microneedling Recovery Timeline
- Immediately after treatment: Expect redness, warmth and mild sensitivity. Your skin may look moderately sunburnt. You may have some pinpoint bleeding.
- Days 1-2: Redness and swelling usually begin to subside. The skin may still feel tighter than usual, with some lingering warmth.
- Days 3-5: Dryness or light flaking may become more noticeable as the skin continues healing. Most visible redness has typically faded by this point.
- Around one week: The skin generally looks and feels much closer to normal, although the repair process beneath the surface is still underway. Your results will develop in the weeks and months after treatment.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect?
Microneedling results develop gradually as the skin repairs itself and gradually begins producing new collagen and elastin. Early improvements may include a smoother texture and fresher overall appearance, while changes in firmness, fine lines and acne scarring tend to become more noticeable over the following weeks.
The extent of improvement depends on the concern being treated, treatment depth, your skin and the number of sessions completed. One treatment can make a difference, and some patients do notice meaningful change after a single session, but microneedling really shines with consistency. Acne scars and deeper textural irregularities also respond best to a series of treatments, with each session building on the last.
Because microneedling works through collagen remodeling, improvement can continue after the skin looks fully recovered on the surface. Your provider can recommend a treatment schedule based on your goals and the degree of correction you want to achieve.
Does Microneedling Really Help With Acne Scars?
If you’re considering microneedling for acne scars in Houston, start with the type of scarring you have. Acne scars come in different shapes and depths, and that affects how well they respond to microneedling. In general, microneedling works best for rolling and boxcar scars, where collagen remodeling can help soften depressions and create a smoother, more even surface.
Which Acne Scars Respond Best to Microneedling? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Acne scar | What it looks like | Response to microneedling |
| Rolling scars | Broad, shallow depressions that give the skin a wavy or uneven appearance | Rolling scars often respond well, as collagen remodeling helps soften the uneven texture |
| Boxcar scars | Round or oval depressions with more defined edges | Can respond well, particularly when scars are relatively shallow |
| Icepick scars | Small, narrow scars that extend deeper into the skin | Usually less responsive to microneedling alone |
Many patients have more than one type of acne scar, and treatment is often planned around the pattern as a whole. Rolling and shallower boxcar scars may respond well to microneedling, while deeper boxcar and icepick scars often need a more targeted or combination approach.
Why Houston Chooses Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic
Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic may be best known for body contouring, but our foundation in plastic surgery brings a broader perspective to aesthetic care. Our founder, Dr. Eric Payne, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in craniofacial surgery and more than 15 years of experience treating patients in Houston. He has built his practice around individualized care that starts with understanding what each patient wants to improve.
Now, we’re bringing that same commitment to personal attention and individualized care to services like Rejuvapen NXT microneedling. You can expect an honest conversation about your skin, thoughtful recommendations and a team that takes your goals seriously.
Meet Dr. Payne | Meet Our Team
Ready to Talk About Your Skin?
The right treatment starts with understanding your skin. During a microneedling consultation at Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic in Houston, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Payne and his team will look closely at your concerns, discuss the kind of change you want to see and recommend a plan tailored to you. If Rejuvapen NXT is a good match for your skin, your provider will tailor the treatment plan around the concerns you want to improve most.
If you’re ready to get started, call us today at 713-461-8866 to schedule a consultation. Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic serves patients from Houston and throughout Southeast Texas who want to take advantage of Dr. Payne’s experience and individualized care.
Microneedling FAQs
Is Rejuvapen the same as SkinPen?
Rejuvapen NXT and SkinPen are both FDA-cleared microneedling devices that work the same way: fine, sterile needles create controlled micro-channels in the skin, and your skin responds by producing new collagen and elastin. The difference is the pen. SkinPen has more name recognition, but we prefer Rejuvapen at Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic. It has nine speed settings and finely adjustable needle depth, so each area can be treated with precision. But with either pen, your results depend more on the skill of your provider than the device itself, which is where the training and expertise of our team factor in.
Does microneedling hurt?
Most patients tolerate microneedling very well. We apply numbing cream before treatment to keep you comfortable, so you may feel pressure, vibration or a light prickling sensation rather than sharp pain. Some areas, like the forehead and jawline, can feel a little more sensitive than others, but the treatment is generally very manageable.
How many sessions will I need?
Most patients need a series of treatments to see their best results. A common starting point is around three to six sessions, but the right number depends on what you are treating, how your skin responds and how deeply each session is performed. Some people notice changes after one or two treatments, while concerns like acne scarring usually take longer. Results build gradually, so consistency matters just as much as the individual appointment.
What should I avoid after microneedling?
Your skin will be more sensitive for a few days after treatment, so this is a good time to keep your routine simple. Don’t pick at any peeling or flaking skin. We also recommend avoiding retinol, exfoliating acids and other strong active ingredients for several days, along with heat, heavy sweating and makeup during the early recovery period. Gentle skincare, good sun protection and following your provider’s aftercare instructions can help your skin heal comfortably. Call our office if redness gets worse instead of better.
Can I wear makeup after microneedling?
Usually not right away. Because the skin barrier is temporarily disrupted after treatment, your provider may recommend avoiding makeup for the first 24 hours or longer, depending on your skin and treatment depth. Once your skin has settled, you can return to your normal routine.
How is professional microneedling different from at-home dermarollers?
At-home dermarollers can be tempting, but they are much more limited than professional microneedling. Medical-grade pens like Rejuvapen NXT and SkinPen use precise, adjustable needle depths to reach the layers of skin where collagen remodeling happens, while home rollers mostly work at the surface. Professional treatment also gives you the benefit of sterile equipment, proper technique and a plan tailored to your skin, which makes a big difference for your safety and results.