Microneedling in Torrance, CA

Keeping your skin smooth, clear, and even in tone takes more than at-home products. At South Bay Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center in Torrance, CA, we use treatments like microneedling to support healthier skin and a more refreshed appearance. This minimally invasive approach can give you noticeable improvements in tone, texture, and firmness.

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling creates thousands of perforations in the skin using fine, sterile needles. These tiny channels trigger the body’s healing response, which includes the production of new collagen and elastin. As your skin repairs itself, the surface becomes smoother, firmer, and more even in tone.

Who Microneedling Is For

Microneedling works well for a wide range of patients, including those with sensitive or darker skin tones. Because the process doesn’t use heat or aggressive resurfacing, it avoids many of the risks linked to other treatments. It is also suitable for those who want noticeable improvements with little downtime. Most healthy adults can be considered good candidates after a consultation.

What Does Microneedling Treat? 

Acne Scars

Breakouts can leave behind uneven texture, deep marks, or boxcar-type scarring that does not improve with creams or exfoliants. When we perform microneedling therapy, we trigger controlled wound healing in the skin, which encourages your body to rebuild collagen where scars have formed. This process smooths the surface gradually and helps the scar tissue blend better with the surrounding skin.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Fine lines around the eyes, mouth, and forehead appear as collagen breaks down and skin elasticity decreases. Microchannels in the skin encourage fresh collagen production in exactly the areas where aging becomes visible first. The skin becomes firmer and smoother as it remodels, which can help soften the appearance of fine lines.

Enlarged Pores

Pores can stretch and remain enlarged due to excess oil, loss of collagen, or past breakouts. Microneedling helps improve the firmness of the surrounding skin, which can reduce the appearance of pores by tightening the area around them. The channels also allow skincare products to penetrate more effectively, which supports cleaner, more balanced skin.

Skin Laxity

Mild to moderate laxity in the skin often responds well to microneedling, especially in areas like the cheeks, lower face, and neck. As your skin begins to produce more collagen and elastin, it can become visibly firmer and more lifted. This process offers a non-surgical way to support more youthful skin tension with very little recovery time.

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks form when the skin stretches faster than collagen can support it, leaving visible gaps in the dermal structure. These marks often appear on the abdomen, hips, thighs, or arms, especially after pregnancy or weight changes. With microneedling, we can break down old scar tissue while stimulating fresh collagen to rebuild and smooth the area and to help the stretch marks fade in both texture and color.

Sun Damage and Hyperpigmentation

Excess sun exposure can leave uneven pigmentation, dark spots, and a roughened texture that does not respond well to over-the-counter products. Treating the skin with microneedling can help remodel damaged areas while supporting healthier pigment regulation. Although it does not lift pigment directly like a laser, it improves overall skin tone and texture through gradual cellular renewal.

Dull, Dehydrated Skin

When your skin lacks hydration, or cell turnover becomes sluggish, your skin may look flat and dull rather than fresh and luminous. Microneedling creates microchannels that allow hydrating serums to deeply penetrate while encouraging surface skin formation. Microneedling gives the skin a brighter, more vibrant appearance and supports better product absorption for those trying to enhance their skincare routine.

How Microneedling Works

When we perform microneedling, the skin responds by activating a cascade of biological processes known as the wound healing cycle. This includes the release of growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), all of which help regulate inflammation and stimulate tissue regeneration. Fibroblasts begin producing new collagen types I and III, which form a stronger dermal matrix and improve skin resilience. The microchannels also disrupt old, compacted cells and loosen surface buildup to allow better communication between the epidermis and dermis. This layered remodeling strengthens the skin’s structural integrity from the inside out.

The Importance of Choosing Professional Microneedling

At-home derma rollers do not reach the same depth or have the same precision as medical-grade devices and can increase the risk of irritation or infection when used incorrectly. Professional treatments allow us to control needle depth, speed, and technique based on your skin’s needs. The treatment is performed in a sterile environment with single-use tips. We also use serums and technology that are not available for home use, with results that are more noticeable and more consistent.

What Areas Can Be Treated With Microneedling?

Microneedling is most often used on the face, but we also treat areas like the neck, chest, and hands where signs of aging or sun damage may appear. Some patients choose to treat the abdomen, thighs, or hips to improve stretch marks or skin texture. The treatment is versatile and can be adjusted to suit delicate or more resilient areas. We select needle depth and technique based on the thickness and sensitivity of the skin in each region.

Why Choose Microneedling?

Refresh the Skin With Little Downtime

Microneedling causes controlled stimulation without damaging the outer layer of skin, so you recover quickly while still gaining visible results. Most patients experience a mild pink tone and slight sensitivity for a day or two. You can typically resume regular activities within 24 to 48 hours.

Improve the Absorption of Skincare Products

The microchannels created during treatment allow topical products to reach deeper layers that standard application cannot. When you apply antioxidants, peptides, or hydrating serums after microneedling, the skin absorbs more of the active ingredients instead of letting them sit on the surface. Microneedling can make your skincare routine more effective and help maintain the results between sessions.

Treat Your Skin, No Matter the Season

Because microneedling does not involve heat or photosensitizing agents, we can perform it any time of year. It is a flexible option, especially if you want to address fine lines or texture without needing to avoid sun exposure. We still recommend using daily SPF, but this treatment does not limit you to the fall or winter months.

Preparation Tips Before Microneedling

In the days leading up to your treatment, avoid using retinoids, acids, or other strong exfoliants that could make your skin more sensitive. Stay out of the sun and avoid tanning beds. If you have active acne, cold sores, or an infection in the area, let us know so we can reschedule your session if needed. We also recommend pausing any blood-thinning supplements or medications, with your prescribing doctor’s approval, to help reduce post-treatment redness or pinpoint bleeding. Arrive with clean skin and no makeup, and be ready to follow a simple aftercare plan that supports healing.

What to Expect During Your First Microneedling Appointment

Skin Cleansing and Numbing

We begin by thoroughly cleansing your skin to remove any makeup, oil, or debris. After that, we apply a topical numbing cream to keep you comfortable during the session. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for the numbing to take full effect.

Sensations During Treatment

Once we begin the microneedling treatment, you may feel a prickling sensation, especially in thinner or more delicate areas like the forehead. We adjust the depth and speed of the device depending on the treatment area and your goals, which helps maintain comfort throughout the session. Some areas, like the cheeks, often feel less sensitive than bony regions.

Add-Ons and Time of Treatment

You can combine microneedling with serums, growth factors, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to enhance results. These are applied immediately after needling, when your skin can absorb them more effectively. The full appointment usually takes about an hour, including time for numbing. If we are treating larger areas or using multiple enhancements, your visit may last longer.

Aftercare and Recovery Steps

What to Avoid

Keep your skin clean and avoid touching it unnecessarily for the first 24 hours. Do not apply makeup, sunscreen, or skincare products that contain active ingredients like retinoids, acids, or fragrance. Skip workouts, steam rooms, and direct sun exposure until the skin heals since heat and sweat can increase irritation. You should also avoid exfoliating or using physical scrubs while your skin heals, and do not pick at or scratch any scabs.

Returning to Normal Skincare Routines

After 48 hours, you can slowly return to your usual routine if your skin feels ready. Start with gentle, hydrating products and add other products back gradually over the next few days. The microchannels close quickly, but the healing response continues for several days. Give your skin time to adjust before reintroducing stronger ingredients.

Maximizing Your Results

Use sun protection consistently to prevent pigment changes while your skin is in a reactive state. Maintain a routine that includes antioxidants and hydration to support collagen remodeling and barrier repair. Many patients who use microneedling for skin rejuvenation schedule multiple sessions spaced four to six weeks apart to build on their progress. Between treatments, focus on nourishing your skin.

How Does Microneedling Compare to Other Treatment Options? 

• Lasers: Laser treatments use light energy to resurface the skin, target pigment, or stimulate collagen. They can offer dramatic results, especially for deeper wrinkles, scarring, or more defined pigmentation concerns. Because lasers rely on heat, they may require more downtime and are not always recommended for every skin tone.
• Chemical Peels: Chemical peels work by applying acids to exfoliate the outer layers of the skin. This method helps with surface discoloration, fine lines, and texture by removing dead skin cells and stimulating new growth. Peels come in different strengths and depths, which allows us to adjust the treatment based on your needs.
• IPL Photofacials: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments use broad-spectrum light to target pigmentation and vascular irregularities. IPL is especially effective for treating redness, sun damage, and uneven tone caused by broken capillaries or excess melanin. It works best when pigment lies closer to the surface of the skin. While microneedling focuses on structural remodeling, IPL is aimed at clearing visible discoloration and improving overall brightness.

FAQs About Microneedling

How Many Microneedling Sessions Will You Need?

The number of sessions depends on what you want to treat and how your skin responds. For general skin maintenance or mild texture concerns, most patients start with a series of three sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. If you are treating deeper acne scars, more visible wrinkles, or stretch marks, you may need four to six sessions to see the best outcome. After your initial series, maintenance every few months helps support ongoing results.

What Results Can You Expect?

Improvements begin to show within a week or two, often starting with a brighter tone and smoother texture. Collagen remodeling continues for several weeks, so skin firmness and fine lines improve gradually over time. Results build with each session and peak a few months after your final treatment. While some results can last for several months, maintenance helps you hold onto the benefits longer. Your daily skincare habits and sun protection also make a big difference in how long the changes last.

When Can I Wear Makeup Again After Microneedling?

You can usually wear makeup after 24 to 48 hours, once the skin has settled and any pinpoint redness or swelling fades. Use clean brushes and non-comedogenic products to avoid clogging the skin while it is still healing. Mineral-based powders tend to be the safest option early on. Avoid full-coverage foundation or heavy layers until your skin feels smooth and calm again.

Choosing Us for Your Microneedling Treatments

When you choose microneedling at South Bay Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center, you are under the care of a provider with decades of surgical and aesthetic experience. Dr. Christopher Verbin combines precise technical skill with an artistic background, allowing him to approach cosmetic treatments with both structure and detail in mind. His extensive medical training gives him the foundation to assess your skin thoroughly and treat it safely. We take a thoughtful, medically informed approach to skin health that goes beyond trends, focusing on long-term function and visible improvement. Whether you are new to aesthetic care or looking for a more experienced perspective, we bring the same level of care to every appointment.

Rejuvenate Your Skin With Microneedling in Torrance, CA

Microneedling can help improve skin texture, firmness, and tone with minimal downtime and long-lasting effects. If you are looking for microneedling near you in Torrance, CA, we offer clinically guided treatments designed to support healthier, more resilient skin. To schedule a consultation at South Bay Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center, please contact us online or call (310) 539-6500.