Microneedling
Collagen induction therapy designed to refine texture, soften scarring, and improve long-term skin quality. Helen calibrates depth and plan to your skin — not a one-size-fits-all pass. $350 per session, $450 with PRP.
Better texture starts with
controlled repair
Microneedling works best when expectations, treatment depth, and your recovery window are aligned from the start.
Acne scars
Supports gradual remodeling for boxcar, rolling, and shallow textural scarring over a series of sessions.
Fine lines
Encourages firmer skin and a smoother surface — especially around the cheeks, forehead, and mouth.
Enlarged pores
Improves the way skin reflects light by refining overall texture on the T-zone.
Uneven tone + PIH
Pairs well with a broader skin plan when post-acne marks, dullness, or pigment irregularity linger.
Safe for all skin types
Mechanical treatment (not laser or heat) makes it safer for darker skin tones where lasers often aren't an option.
Long-term collagen work
A strong option for clients who want compounding skin quality, not just a one-off treatment event.
Regenerative skin work,
not a quick glow gimmick
Microneedling is effective because it asks skin to rebuild itself. Helen uses that principle carefully, matching intensity to your goals so the treatment remains productive instead of aggressive for the sake of drama.
For clients focused on scars, pores, or long-term texture, the best results come from a plan rather than a one-off visit. Helen sets that expectation clearly and adjusts session to session based on healing and visible response.
Every microneedling appointment is administered under the medical direction of our medical director, following Washington State protocols for RN-delegated aesthetic procedures.
3–6 sessions
Spaced 4–6 weeks apart so the skin has time to recover and lay down new collagen between visits.
Barrier-first
Expect temporary redness for 1–3 days, then pause active skincare (retinol, acids, vitamin C) for 5–7 days.
$450
PRP can be layered in when regenerative support makes sense — using your own growth factors for additional skin recovery.
Tiny channels.
Real collagen.
Microneedling (also called collagen induction therapy) uses a sterile pen device with fine needles to create thousands of precise microchannels in the upper layers of your skin. Each channel is a controlled micro-injury — tiny enough to heal quickly, significant enough to signal your body to start rebuilding.
The healing cascade is what matters. Over the following weeks, your skin releases growth factors, fibroblasts activate, and new type III collagen lays down. Over two to three months, that collagen gradually remodels into stronger type I collagen — the same kind that gives young, resilient skin its structure.
Because the treatment is mechanical (not laser, not heat, not chemical), it's safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types — including darker skin tones where traditional lasers carry a higher pigmentation risk. Every treatment at Flawless Aesthetics is administered by Helen Petrov, BSN, RN under medical direction.
A 75-minute visit.
No guesswork.
Here's exactly what happens from the moment you walk in.
- 01
Cleanse + numb
Your skin is thoroughly cleansed, then a topical anesthetic cream is applied for 20–30 minutes so the session is comfortable. Most patients describe it as mild pressure with very little sting.
- 02
Treatment pass
A sterile motorized pen creates controlled microchannels across the face. Helen adjusts needle depth by zone — shallower around the eyes, deeper on cheek scarring. The actual treatment runs about 20–30 minutes.
- 03
Calming serum
A soothing hyaluronic-acid or growth-factor serum is applied immediately after to support the skin's recovery. If you've added PRP, this is where your own platelet-rich plasma goes on and absorbs into the microchannels.
- 04
Walk out
You'll leave with skin that looks like a moderate sunburn — pink, warm, slightly swollen. It calms down over the next 24 to 48 hours. Plan around visible redness for your first day.
Plan your day around visible redness for the first 24 hours. You'll look best by day 2, noticeably smoother by week 2, and fully settled into the new collagen around month 3.
Protect the new skin
while it rebuilds.
First 24 hours
- No makeup for 12–24 hours — let the microchannels close.
- No sweating, workouts, hot yoga, saunas, or hot showers.
- Use only the gentle cleanser and moisturizer Helen sends you home with.
- Keep your hands off your face. No rubbing, picking, or exfoliating.
Days 2–5
- Expect mild flaking or dryness — it's the old skin turning over. Do not pick.
- No retinol, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C, or benzoyl peroxide until day 5 at the earliest.
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily, every day, even when it's cloudy.
- Skip facials, chemical peels, or other in-office treatments for at least 2 weeks.
First month
- Reintroduce active skincare slowly, one product at a time.
- Avoid excessive direct sun — new collagen is most vulnerable to UV damage.
- Expect to see the first noticeable texture improvement around weeks 3–4.
- Book your next session 4–6 weeks out so the skin has time to rebuild.
The biggest mistake is rushing back to retinol, acids, or vitamin C too fast. Give your skin the full five days before reintroducing actives — you'll get better results from fewer sessions. Questions mid-recovery? Text Helen at (206) 739-7309.
Real collagen takes
real time.
- Day 0
Redness + mild swelling
Skin looks pink and feels warm, like a moderate sunburn. Most of this fades within 24 to 48 hours. A thin layer of makeup is safe by day 2 if you need to cover redness.
- Week 1
Initial healing
Any flaking or tightness calms down. The skin feels smoother to the touch almost immediately, but the real collagen work is just starting underneath.
- Weeks 2–4
First visible results
This is when you'll start to see tone even out, pores look smaller, and fine lines soften. New type III collagen is forming.
- Months 2–3
Remodeling phase
Collagen gradually converts to stronger type I. Texture keeps improving between sessions. Most clients book their next appointment here to compound the effect.
- Months 3–6
Full results
Peak improvement from a completed series (typically 3–6 sessions). Maintenance once or twice a year keeps the progress going.
Deep acne scarring usually needs the full series (4–6 sessions) before you see meaningful improvement. Fine lines and general texture respond faster — often visible by the second or third session. If you're on a timeline for a wedding or event, book your first appointment at least three months out. For longer-term goals, see how microneedling compares to PRP treatments, or read why I recommend microneedling over chemical peels for most texture concerns.
Questions & Answers
Microneedling is a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that uses tiny sterile needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This triggers your body's natural wound healing response, stimulating collagen and elastin production. At Flawless Aesthetics in Renton, Helen Petrov offers microneedling for $350, with microneedling plus PRP available for $450.
Microneedling effectively treats acne scars (including ice pick and boxcar scars), fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, uneven skin texture, stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and overall skin dullness. It's suitable for all skin types and tones. Helen Petrov will assess your concerns during consultation and create a customized treatment plan.
Most patients see optimal results with 3-6 microneedling treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart. For acne scars, 4-6 sessions are typically recommended. For general skin rejuvenation, 3 sessions may be sufficient. Helen Petrov will create a personalized treatment plan at Flawless Aesthetics based on your goals. Maintenance treatments every 3-6 months help sustain results.
Expect 1-3 days of redness and mild swelling after microneedling, similar to a mild sunburn. Most patients return to work the next day with mineral makeup coverage. Avoid direct sun exposure, active skincare (retinol, acids, vitamin C) for 3-5 days, and sweaty exercise for 24-48 hours. Your skin will look and feel refreshed within 1 week.
With topical numbing cream applied before the session, most patients rate it 2-4 out of 10 — a prickly pressure rather than a sharp pain. Helen applies numbing cream for 20-30 minutes before treatment and adjusts needle depth zone by zone, so the more sensitive areas (around the eyes, nose) are treated more gently than the cheeks.
Yes. Because microneedling is mechanical — not laser, heat, or light-based — it doesn't target pigment and is safer for all Fitzpatrick skin types (I through VI) than most laser alternatives. Helen uses conservative protocols for darker skin to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and recommends strict sun protection afterward.
They work differently. Microneedling physically creates microchannels to trigger collagen rebuilding — best for texture, acne scars, pores, and long-term skin quality. Chemical peels exfoliate the outer skin chemically — better for pigmentation, surface dullness, and fine lines. Most clients benefit from one or the other based on their main concern, and Helen will recommend which is right for your skin at your appointment.
Microneedling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) combines the collagen-building effect of microneedling with your own growth factors. Helen draws a small vial of blood, spins it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and applies the PRP to your skin as the microchannels absorb it. The combination adds $100 to the session ($450 total) and is a strong choice for acne scarring, under-eye support, and patients who want regenerative results.
Smoother skin
by design
Book microneedling with Helen Petrov, BSN, RN for a treatment plan that respects healing time and delivers real, long-term texture change.
Microneedling $350. Microneedling with PRP $450.