Everything You Need to Know About Microneedling, According to Dermatologists

They say beauty is pain, but how far are you willing to go in the name of good skin? Microneedling, a trendy skincare treatment where — yup — tiny needles are applied to the face, might make you ponder that question a little harder.

It's one thing to consider yourself an expert in at-home skincare; building out a multistep routine that actually works is an accomplishment worth celebrating. But once you step inside a dermatologist's office, it's a whole different ball game. Professional treatments are typically more potent and invasive, leading to steeper costs and more "extreme" application methods. On those fronts, microneedling is a newer one to pique our interest.

Like any skincare treatment, microneedling has its nuances, pros, and cons. It also has a long list of potential benefits (i.e., reducing acne scars and wrinkles) that make it a celebrity go-to. But is it really worth the hype (and the price)? Are the at-home tools just as good? And, wait, is it the same as Kim Kardashian's infamous vampire facial? We reached out to dermatologists Joshua Zeichner, MD, and Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, to weigh in. See all the answers to your burning questions ahead.