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Microneedling · Pleasanton & Sunnyvale
Microneedling in Pleasanton
In short
Microneedling makes a controlled injury and lets the skin answer it. Fine needles create thousands of small channels, and the repair that follows lays down collagen.
It is the straightforward option for texture, pore size and mild scarring, with a day or two of looking as though you caught the sun. Results build across a series.
What it does well
Skin that looks rough rather than lined, pores that have widened, and scarring that is shallow rather than deep. It is also one of the few treatments that suits most skin tones without much adjustment, because there is no light or heat involved.
Expect redness like mild sunburn on the day and a slight tightness the next. Makeup usually goes back on at day two.
Microneedling or RF microneedling
Plain microneedling creates the injury. Potenza adds radiofrequency heat at depth, so it tightens as well as resurfaces, at the cost of a longer recovery.
If your concern is purely surface quality, the simpler treatment is often enough. If laxity sits alongside the texture, the radiofrequency version earns its downtime.
When we would choose something else
Deep ice-pick scarring generally needs a different approach, sometimes alongside a resurfacing laser.
Active acne, active infection and a recent course of oral isotretinoin are reasons to wait.
Common questions
How many microneedling sessions do I need?
A short series spaced several weeks apart, because collagen builds cumulatively. One session gives a temporary glow rather than a lasting change.
Does microneedling hurt?
Topical numbing is applied first and most people find it very manageable. The skin feels hot afterwards, similar to sunburn.
Is microneedling safe for darker skin?
Generally yes. There is no light or heat targeting melanin, which is why it is one of the more tone-neutral options available.
Medically reviewed by Seth Eberlin, MD, Medical Director at Essential Bella. Last reviewed 20 September 2026. General information, not a substitute for an in-person assessment.