The Microneedling Support Hub - By Nina

FACT OR MYTH?

The deeper you microneedle, the better your results.

MYTH ❌

Going deeper does not automatically mean better results.

The correct depth should depend on the area being treated, skin thickness and what you’re trying to improve. Going unnecessarily deep can create more inflammation, increase recovery time and raise the risk of irritation or pigmentation without giving a better result.

For general skin rejuvenation, you often do not need deep microneedling at all.

The aim is controlled stimulation — not maximum depth. 💜

POLYNUCLEOTIDES — WHAT DO THEY ACTUALLY DO, AND WHY THEY’RE BEST LEFT TO THE PROFESSIONALS 🧬

Polynucleotides have become one of the biggest talking points in skin rejuvenation — but what are they actually doing once they are placed into the skin?

Polynucleotides are regenerative treatments designed to improve the quality and condition of the skin rather than simply add volume.

When professionally injected, they attract water and create a hydrating, supportive environment within the extracellular matrix.

This helps support fibroblast activity, tissue remodelling and the processes involved in collagen production, which can help improve:

✨ Fine lines
✨ Skin elasticity
✨ Hydration
✨ Texture
✨ Overall skin quality
✨ Tissue repair and recovery

Who are they suitable for?

Polynucleotides can be a good option for someone wanting to improve skin quality, hydration, elasticity and fine lines without changing facial shape.

They are particularly popular for:

✨ Fine or crepey skin
✨ Dehydrated or dull-looking skin
✨ Loss of elasticity
✨ Early signs of ageing
✨ Tired or creased under-eye skin
✨ Overall skin texture and quality improvement

Popular treatment areas include the under-eyes, face, neck and décolletage.

So why choose polynucleotides if microneedling can improve many of the same concerns?

There is definitely some overlap.

Microneedling can already give excellent results for collagen stimulation, texture, fine lines and overall skin quality by creating controlled micro-injury and triggering the skin’s own repair response.

Polynucleotides are not better than microneedling — they simply work differently.

Professionally injected polynucleotides can provide additional hydration and regenerative support, making them a useful option if you are already having microneedling but feel your skin needs an extra boost, particularly for hydration, elasticity or delicate areas such as the under-eyes.

They can complement a microneedling treatment plan as a separate professional treatment.

Polynucleotides are usually recommended as a course of treatments, because improvements build gradually rather than from one single session. The exact number and spacing will depend on the product, treatment area and practitioner protocol.

Suitability should always be assessed by the practitioner, as not everyone will be suitable for an injectable treatment.

And this is the important part:

Not all polynucleotide products are intended to be used in the same way.

Some PN products are specifically formulated and supplied for use with microneedling, while others are designed for professional injection.

A product being sterile or injectable does not automatically mean it should be microneedled into the skin.

Always follow the intended use and protocol for the exact product you are using.

Microneedling a PN product that is intended for injection is not the same method of delivery as a professional injectable polynucleotide treatment, and going deeper with your pen does not recreate an injectable treatment.

With professional injectable treatment, the practitioner deliberately places the product at the appropriate tissue level and follows the technique and protocol for that product and treatment area.

As with any injectable treatment, there are also risks, including infection, inflammatory reactions, incorrect placement and other complications that need to be recognised and managed appropriately.

So if you are interested in injectable polynucleotides, I would always recommend having them administered by an appropriately trained professional using a recognised product according to its intended method of administration.

Microneedling is an excellent treatment.

Polynucleotides are an exciting regenerative treatment.

They don’t replace each other — and one isn’t automatically better than the other.

The important thing is understanding which type of PN product you have and how that specific product is intended to be used.

The Microneedling Support Hub – By Nina 💜

🔄 What changed everything?

What one change made the biggest difference to your microneedling results?

Depth?
Technique?
Frequency?
Sterile HA?
Aftercare?
Something else?

💜 SKIN • SKINCARE • BEAUTY — LET’S TALK SKIN

☀️ SUN-DAMAGED SKIN — WHAT CAN ACTUALLY HELP?

Sun damage doesn’t always show up as obvious sun spots. Over time, UV exposure can contribute to:

✨ Uneven pigmentation
✨ Brown spots
✨ Dull, rough texture
✨ Fine lines
✨ Loss of firmness
✨ Uneven skin tone

The good news is that a lot can be done to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin — both at home and professionally.

At home, ingredients such as Vitamin C, retinoids, azelaic acid and barrier-supporting moisturisers can all play a role.

Just as important is protecting the skin from further damage with daily broad-spectrum SPF 30–50, reapplication when needed, hats, shade and good sun habits. If pigmentation is a concern, a tinted SPF containing iron oxides can also be helpful.

Professional options may include microneedling, chemical peels, IPL/light treatments and laser or resurfacing treatments, depending on your skin type, the type of sun damage and your individual concerns.

⚠️ Any new, changing, bleeding, crusting or unusual mark should always be medically checked rather than treated cosmetically.

💜 You can improve the visible signs of sun damage — but the first treatment is always preventing more of it.

The Microneedling Support Hub by Nina

🏆 Best result

What’s been the best result you’ve achieved with microneedling?

Acne scars?
Hair growth?
Texture?
Fine lines?
Pigmentation?

Microneedling Preparation Guide

Professional Clinic & Home Set-Up

Preparation is the first part of microneedling.

Before you begin, your treatment area should be clean, organised and everything you need should already be within reach.

Once treatment starts, you don’t want to be opening drawers, touching cupboards, grabbing your phone or suddenly realising you’ve forgotten something.

⸻

👩‍⚕️ PROFESSIONAL / CLINIC SET-UP

In clinic, I prepare my full treatment area before I begin.

Where possible, I prefer to use single-use/disposable items to keep the treatment as hygienic as possible.

Hygiene & Preparation

🧤 Disposable nitrile gloves

🫧 Hand washing
I always wash my hands thoroughly before putting my gloves on.

🎀 Disposable headband
To keep the client’s hair completely away from the treatment area.

🛏️ Disposable couch roll / clean prepared treatment area

🗺️ If you’re new to microneedling, have a facial mapping guide to hand
A laminated facial mapping, depth & speed chart can be useful while you’re learning. Keep it nearby so you can quickly check the recommended settings for each area.

Once you’re experienced and confident with your settings, you may not need to refer to it during treatment.

⸻

Cleansing & Preparing the Skin

🫧 Always double cleanse
The skin should be thoroughly cleansed to remove makeup, SPF, skincare and surface debris.

🧽 Disposable facial sponges
I use disposable sponges when removing cleanser rather than reusable face cloths.

🩹 Gauze
I use gauze to wipe and prepare the skin.

🧴 Clinisept+
This is what I personally use for my final skin preparation before microneedling.

⸻

Pen, Cartridge & Product

🖊️ Disinfect the microneedling pen before and after every treatment
I use my 70% alcohol spray to wipe down the pen thoroughly before each client.

Once the pen is clean and dry, I apply a fresh disposable pen sleeve/barrier before fitting the new cartridge.

After treatment, I remove and dispose of the cartridge and sleeve, then wipe the pen down again with 70% alcohol before storing it.

💉 New, sealed disposable microneedling cartridge
A fresh cartridge is used for every treatment and is never reused.

💧 Sterile HA or a product specifically recommended for microneedling

Products I personally use include:

• Hyaron — my preferred option, used directly from the syringe
• Derma 2.0 Exosomes
• Eve Taylor Sterile HA

If the product is supplied in a vial

In clinic, I use a new disposable syringe with a sterile BD Microlance needle to transfer the product into the syringe.

Once the product has been drawn up, the needle is removed and disposed of immediately into the sharps bin.

The product is then dispensed directly from the syringe throughout the treatment.

I don’t waste any product.
If there is product remaining in the syringe once I have finished microneedling, I apply the remainder over the treated skin and gently tap it in.

Any product drawn up is for that treatment only.

⸻

Equipment I Keep Prepared in Clinic

🫧 Liquid hand sanitiser
I keep this close by as an extra hygiene precaution during treatment — you never know when you may need it.

🧴 70% alcohol spray
I keep a spray bottle of 70% alcohol ready for wiping down my pen and disinfecting suitable surfaces and equipment.

🥣 Clinical metal kidney dish / kidney tray
Useful for keeping treatment items organised and within reach.

🩹 Sterile gauze

🧻 Tissues

🗑️ Sharps bin
Used Microlance needles and microneedling cartridges go directly into the sharps bin.

🗑️ Appropriate clinical waste disposal

📄 Aftercare instructions
Have your client’s aftercare information ready so they leave knowing exactly how to look after their skin following treatment.

⸻

🔴 Optional LED Light Therapy

If I use LED following microneedling, I recommend red light.

The LED device/head should always be cleaned and disinfected between clients.

Where the surface is suitable, I wipe it down with 70% alcohol before use.

⸻

☀️ Before My Client Leaves

Mineral SPF 50

I personally apply Heliocare mineral SPF50 for sensitive skin before my client leaves the clinic, particularly if they are going to be exposed to daylight.

Freshly microneedled skin needs protecting from UV exposure, so sun protection forms part of my aftercare.

⸻

🏠 HOME MICRONEEDLING SET-UP

Preparation at home is just as important.

Have everything laid out and ready before you begin so you are not touching cupboards, drawers, bottles or unnecessary items once treatment has started.

Your Set-Up

🧤 Disposable nitrile gloves

🎀 Clean or disposable headband
Keep all hair completely away from the face.

🧼 Clean, disinfected work surface

🫧 Double cleanse your skin
Wash the face thoroughly twice to remove makeup, SPF, skincare and surface debris, then rinse well.

🗺️ If you’re new to microneedling, have a facial mapping guide to hand
A laminated facial mapping, depth & speed chart can be really useful while you’re learning.

Keep it beside you so you can quickly check the recommended settings for each area rather than guessing as you go.

🩹 Clean gauze
Have gauze ready for your final skin-preparation wipe.

⸻

Skin Preparation

After cleansing, you can use:

• Clinisept+
• A hypochlorous acid (HOCl) skin spray — for example Vital Baby Aquaint from Boots or an HOCl skin spray from Superdrug
• 70% alcohol skin-prep wipes

Allow the skin to dry before beginning.

⸻

Pen, Cartridge & Product

🖊️ Clean your pen before AND after every treatment
Before you start, wipe the microneedling pen down with 70% alcohol and allow it to dry.

After treatment, dispose of the used cartridge and wipe the pen down again with 70% alcohol before putting it away.

💉 New, sealed disposable cartridge
One cartridge = one treatment. Never reuse it.

💧 Sterile HA or product specifically recommended for microneedling

For example, Hyaron.

If your product comes in a syringe, dispense it directly from the syringe as you work.

If decanting, prepare a clean glass dish and clean fan brush before you begin.

⸻

Other Useful Items

🩹 Sterile gauze

🧻 Clean tissues

🪞 Mirror
If using a handheld mirror, clean and disinfect it beforehand — especially the handle you’ll be touching.

🗑️ Waste bag/bin ready

⸻

Preparation Is Part of the Treatment

Your microneedling treatment starts before the pen touches the skin.

Prepare your area.

Have everything within reach.

Keep unnecessary touching to a minimum.

Use clean or disposable items wherever practical.

Hope this helps

Nina 💜

🤔 Changed your mind?

Has there ever been something you believed about microneedling that you later discovered wasn’t actually true?

💭 Looking back…

If you could go back to your very first microneedling treatment, what advice would you give yourself?

🧬 What does collagen actually look like?

We hear about collagen everywhere — in creams, powders and supplements — but what does the collagen inside our body actually look like?

Collagen is one of the main structural proteins in the body. It’s found in the skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels and the supporting tissues around our organs.

Our hair and nails aren’t made of collagen — they’re mainly made of keratin — but collagen still forms part of the supportive tissues around the hair follicles and within the skin.

A simple way to think of collagen is microscopic ropes woven together into a supportive mesh within the dermis.

Collagen starts as tiny protein strands, bundles into stronger fibres, and forms part of the framework that gives skin its strength, structure, firmness and resilience.

As we age, and with factors such as UV exposure, that collagen network can become thinner, weaker and more fragmented.

So what about collagen creams?

They can help moisturise the skin, but they don’t simply replace the collagen fibres deeper in the dermis. If you’re choosing a moisturiser, ingredients such as ceramides are often more useful for supporting the skin barrier.

What can help stimulate collagen?

Treatments such as microneedling, laser resurfacing, radiofrequency, ultrasound-based treatments and certain professional chemical peels can encourage collagen production or remodelling. Retinoids can also help support collagen over time.

So how does microneedling help?

Microneedling creates thousands of tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This triggers the skin’s natural wound-healing response and activates fibroblasts — the cells responsible for producing collagen and other parts of the skin’s support structure.

Over the following weeks and months, new collagen is produced and remodelled, helping to improve the skin’s texture, firmness, resilience and overall structure.

💡 Collagen isn’t a cream sitting on top of the skin. It’s part of the structural framework within it.

💜 Experience

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned since you started microneedling?

It could be a technique, a mistake, a product or simply something you wish you’d known sooner.