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Every week, the skincare industry drops a “new” technique with a shiny name and a fancy device, and suddenly everyone’s confused, overwhelmed, and wondering if they missed something in the group chat.
So when my clients ask in the office,
“What’s the difference between microneedling and microchanneling?”
I get it.
The truth is:
They start in a similar way, but they have different end goals.
Both treatments use tiny channels in the skin to stimulate collagen, elastin, and improve product penetration.
Microneedling:
We actually want controlled injury.
That means a tiny bit of bleeding, deeper penetration, and more aggressive collagen remodeling.
Microchanneling:
We’re playing in the shallow end of the pool.
We want redness, NO bleeding – think “sun-kissed glow,”.
Depth Matters (A Lot)
Microneedling goes deep.
So deep, in fact, that most people need topical numbing cream to tolerate it.
Microchanneling?
Much more superficial. It’s like using fine sandpaper on the skin, but there is so much lube in between the skin and the microchanneling device you do not feel the channels being created.
These tiny micro-tracts occur in the outer-most layers of the skin, enough to trigger regeneration and allow products to penetrate not as deeply as microneedling but also with less downtime.
Which One Is Better?
Welp. It depends on your goal.
If you have:
• Acne scars
• Significant texture issues
• Stubborn deep hyperpigmentation
Microneedling is the GOAT.
If you want:
• A nice glow
• Improved hydration
• Better product absorption
• Minimal downtime
• A treatment that feels more like a luxury facial but actually does something.
Microchanneling is your girl.
You walk out glowing, not hiding under a hoodie and shades.
Why Clients Love Microchanneling
Microchanneling gives you:
✔ Immediate radiance
✔ Little to no downtime
✔ No numbing required
✔ Noticeable improvement in tone and texture
✔ A treatment you can repeat regularly
It’s the perfect for someone who wants “real results” but has dinner plans tonight.
The Real Takeaway
Stop chasing whatever buzzword TikTok is pushing this week.
What matters is:
• Your skin goals
• Your tolerance for downtime
• Your long-term treatment plan
At Mrs. Webb Aesthetic, we don’t do trendy.
We do intentional.
Because your face deserves a strategy – not a science experiment.
My name is Dr. Laurel B., advanced practice nurse and the lead clinician at Mrs. Webb Aesthetic located deeeeep in Brooklyn, in a tiny hood called Marine Park.
References
Chilicka K, Rusztowicz M, Szyguła R, Nowicka D. Methods for the Improvement of Acne Scars Used in Dermatology and Cosmetology: A Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11(10):2744. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11102744
Hong, J. Y., Seok, J., Han, H. S., & Park, K. Y. (2025). Emerging Innovations in Acne Management: A Focus on Non-Pharmacological Therapeutic Devices. Journal of Korean medical science, 40(9), e118. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e118
Hou, A., Cohen, B., Haimovic, A., & Elbuluk, N. (2017). Microneedling: A Comprehensive Review. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 43(3), 321–339. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000000924
Spataro, E. A., Dierks, K., & Carniol, P. J. (2023). Microneedling-Associated Procedures to Enhance Facial Rejuvenation. Clinics in plastic surgery, 50(3), 479–488.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2022.12.012
