Whether it’s your first time microneedling or you’re coming in for your quarterly collagen induction therapy, we’ve got your skin covered—literally and strategically.
At Soulshine Aesthetics in Charleston, SC, we believe in giving you results—but also making sure you’re not stressed about how we get there. If you’re asking yourself “Is this gonna hurt?” or “Am I gonna look crazy after?”—we got you.
Here’s what actually happens.
Before Your Microneedling Appointment
We start by reviewing your skin, goals, and any products you’re using. Prepping your skin properly helps your treatment work better—so we may recommend pausing active ingredients like retinoids or exfoliants 24–48 hours before your session.
If you’re a planner, here are a few things to keep in mind:
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Avoid excessive sun exposure or sunburns 24 hours prior
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Discontinue topical retinoids, topical acids like glycolic, or any harsh scrubs or abrasives the day before
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No open lesions or active breakouts, please
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Let us know about any autoimmune medications or skin treatments within the past few months
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If you’ve taken Accutane for acne management, we typically recommend waiting about 6 months post-treatment before starting your SkinPen series to help with scarring or pigment concerns
Skin Prep and Numbing
We ask that you come with a clean face for two reasons—first, we’re creating tons of channels in the skin and excessive products or makeup don’t belong in there. Second, we want to ensure our before and afters are as accurate as possible. Once you’re here, we’ll start with a gentle cleanse and apply medical-grade numbing cream for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can relax, listen to music, or ask us all your skin questions (we love that part).
If you’re doing something like dermaplaning or a Pico laser pre-treatment, we’ll complete that first—so your SkinPen treatment gets the most out of it.
The Microneedling Itself
We use the SkinPen®, an FDA-cleared device that creates tiny microchannels in the skin. This tells your skin to produce new collagen and elastin, and allows targeted serums to absorb better.
Does It Hurt?
One of the most common questions we get is: “Is it going to hurt?”
Thanks to the numbing cream, most clients say the treatment is very tolerable. Here’s what it usually feels like:
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A little scratchy
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A weird vibration or pressure
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Slight sensitivity in some spots (like the forehead or upper lip)
Everyone experiences sensation a little differently, but most people say it feels more weird than painful—like a scratchy buzzing or light pressure. If anything feels like too much, we’ll adjust right away. This should be comfortable, not something you have to tough out.
Almost every client leaves saying the discomfort was barely a 0 or 1 out of 10.
Why We Believe in Skin Boosters
Here’s the truth: what goes into your skin during microneedling matters just as much as the device itself. Most SkinPen kits come with a basic gel—honestly, it’s more like a lube—and we don’t believe that’s good enough.
We’re not just poking the skin—we’re creating thousands of open microchannels. That’s valuable real estate.
And it’s why we only use medical-grade skin boosters packed with active ingredients that actually make a difference at the cellular level.
Think of it like fertilizing freshly tilled soil. The channels created during microneedling allow these boosters to reach deeper and work smarter—whether we’re targeting hydration, brightness, or barrier repair.
We’ve even coined the phrase #NoLube—because we believe in using purpose-driven serums that give your skin something meaningful to work with, not filler goop.
Some of our go-to skin boosters include:
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Ariessence (PDGF) – Rich in growth factors to support deep healing and regeneration, especially for delicate areas like under the eyes
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Exosomes – Bone marrow-derived or biosynthesized, these stem-cell-based powerhouses support cellular repair and long-term rejuvenation
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PDO AfterGlo – Injectable-grade hyaluronic acid with crushed PDO threads to fill expression lines, reduce wrinkles, and deeply hydrate
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Polynucleotides – Excellent for repairing skin structure and elasticity
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PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma – A natural option full of healing and regenerative growth factors
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Tranexamic Acid – Helps suppress melanin and reduce pigmentation, especially helpful for melasma-prone skin
Each option is customized to you—what you need, what you want, and what will make the biggest impact.
Strategic Add-Ons to Enhance Your Results
Some treatments just pair beautifully with SkinPen—because they either target different layers of the skin or boost the healing process. When layered thoughtfully, they help you get more from your session (without overwhelming your skin).
Here’s what we love pairing and why:
- Dermaplaning
Gives us a super-smooth canvas by removing dead skin and peach fuzz. It helps serums absorb better and gives your glow a head start. - Pico Laser
This painless laser treatment targets pigment deep within the skin, where microneedling can’t reach. Because it doesn’t cause surface injury, it’s ideal for pairing with SkinPen—especially if you’re dealing with melasma or stubborn discoloration. You’ll get deeper correction without added downtime. - Eye Rejuvenation (PRP or Ariessence)
The under-eye area doesn’t always respond to traditional treatments. That’s why we love combining microneedling with PRP or growth factors like Ariessence. These are especially helpful for clients seeing crepey texture, puffiness, or tired-looking eyes. - LED Therapy
A calming way to finish your session. Red light boosts collagen production and soothes the skin post-treatment. Think of it like a cool-down for your glow. - Ultherapy (Skin Tight or Chin Lift)
This one goes beyond the skin’s surface to lift and firm by targeting deep foundational layers. Whether you want a snatched jawline or subtle tightening, pairing it with SkinPen makes both treatments even more effective.
Each of these additions works a little differently—but when chosen with intention, they can take your results from good to transformative. You don’t need all of them. But if your goals include pigment correction, skin tightening, or undereye rejuvenation, we’ll walk you through the best combination for you.
Aftercare: The Glow Timeline
You may leave looking a little flushed—think sun-kissed, not sunburned—but it won’t last long.
That post-treatment warmth and pinkness usually fades in the first 24–48 hours. You might feel a little tight or dry, especially if we used PRP—that sensation comes from the active ingredients doing their thing beneath the surface.
Here’s what the healing and glow cycle looks like:
- Day of: Slight redness and tightness (especially if we use PRP). You may feel warm, like a mild sunburn, but it’s temporary.
- Days 1–2: Skin is still pink, maybe slightly sensitive. You might even notice a little shimmer—that’s your healing glow kicking in.
- Days 3–5: Enter the “dull phase.” You’ll feel dry, maybe flaky, and you’ll want to slather on hydration. That’s normal—your skin is working hard behind the scenes.
- Week 2: The glow returns. Texture improves. Makeup sits better. Your skin tone starts to look more even and refreshed.
- 3–6 Weeks: Blood vessels are forming, collagen is building. This is when the deeper changes start happening.
- 3–6 Months: Particularly, if you’ve completed a series, expect noticeable improvement in tone, texture, and fine lines. This is why microneedling is a long game—with seriously good payoff.
Timing and Results
Expect to spend about 60–75 minutes in-office. Most of that is numbing and prep—the actual microneedling takes less than 30 minutes.
Your skin will start to glow after a few days. Fine lines soften, texture smooths, and overall tone improves in the weeks that follow.
For best results, most people benefit from a series of three sessions, then maintenance 2–4 times per year.
Ready to Book?
If you’re new to microneedling or just need a refresh, let’s chat. Every skin journey starts with a conversation—and we’re here for it.
