Microneedling in Chinese
Among the many skin treatments available today, one of the most frequently mentioned is microneedling—known in Chinese as 微针. This treatment has long held a prominent place in aesthetic medicine and has been a true savior for many people struggling with severe skin issues.
In Chinese, microneedling is referred to as 微针疗法, also known medically as percutaneous collagen induction therapy（微针经皮胶原诱导疗法）. The concept of microneedling was first introduced in 1995 by Orentreich et al., who described it as subcision（皮下分离术）, a technique involving inserting needles vertically at a 90-degree angle into the skin to break the muscular connections of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), thereby smoothing out wrinkles. They proposed that this controlled injury would trigger the body’s natural wound healing response and connective tissue remodeling, helping loose skin regain firmness and elasticity.
As technology has evolved, microneedling has become more advanced and widely adopted in the aesthetic field. Devices tailored for various indications and body areas have emerged—including stamp-type microneedles, nanoneedling（纳米微针）, and radiofrequency microneedling（射频微针）. Moreover, microneedling is now often combined with other skin therapies, such as IPL photorejuvenation（光子嫩肤）, chemical peels（化学剥脱）, and botulinum toxin injections（肉毒素注射）, for enhanced results.
Today, microneedling is a well-established skin rejuvenation technique. It works by using nanoscale needles to create micro-channels at various skin depths, enabling the efficient delivery of active ingredients such as growth factors and multiple nutrients directly into the skin cells. This boosts absorption efficacy to nearly 100%—up to 4,000 times more than traditional skincare methods. It is suitable for individuals with various skin concerns including dehydration, sensitivity and redness, fine lines, aging signs, acne-prone skin, acne scars and marks, stretch marks, long-term sun damage, and hyperpigmentation.
At Ai Beauty, microneedling treatments offer a major advantage: the ability to tailor the procedure based on skin condition and treatment goals. Practitioners can select from a range of active solutions and adjust the microneedle length (from 0.25mm to 2.0mm) according to the targeted area. The use of single-use, lockable needle heads ensures no risk of cross-contamination, providing a safe and hygienic treatment environment. By delivering ingredients to precise depths in the skin, therapeutic results are maximized.
Some may wonder whether microneedling is safe. Like 水光针（skin boosters）, although there may be some discomfort during the procedure, the vertical insertion of the needles makes the pain tolerable. The main mechanism of microneedling is to stimulate the skin’s dermal self-healing capacity, triggering collagen regeneration（骨胶原增生）. Studies have shown that it can increase epidermal thickness by around 8%, and its results can rival those of laser treatments or dermal fillers. Given its extremely low risk of side effects, microneedling is considered a safe and effective anti-aging maintenance treatment, particularly ideal for busy working professionals who want a weekend refresh for their skin.
Despite the maturity of the technology, microneedling remains highly dependent on practitioner skill. The effectiveness of the treatment and the duration of the recovery period are closely tied to the experience of the clinician. At Ai Beauty Clinic, all procedures are performed by medical professionals registered with the UK GMC or NMC, each with over ten years of clinical experience and an in-depth understanding of Asian skin types.
Post-treatment care for microneedling is relatively simple. Minor pinpoint bleeding and redness may appear immediately after the procedure, but with Ai Beauty’s customized post-care protocol, most patients experience rapid reduction in swelling and redness. When following medical advice and proper aftercare, skin typically recovers in 2–3 days. During recovery, only lukewarm water should be used for cleansing. If small scabs form at the needle sites, they typically fall off naturally within a week. It’s important to apply sunscreen after the treatment. Normal daily activities, including going out and wearing makeup, can usually resume the next day, with no significant side effects.