Microneedling is one of the most clinically validated skin rejuvenation treatments available — and at 86INK in Tulsa, we use the FDA-cleared Candela Exceed™ medical device to deliver it. Here is everything you need to know about how it works, what it treats, and what real results look like.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling — also called collagen induction therapy — is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a device with fine, sterile needles to create thousands of controlled micro-channels in the skin. These micro-injuries are intentional: they trigger the skin's natural wound-healing response, stimulating the production of new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid without removing or ablating the surface layer of skin.
The result is a gradual but meaningful improvement in skin texture, firmness, and tone — driven by your own biology rather than by chemicals or heat. This is what makes microneedling so well-suited to a wide range of skin concerns and skin types, including darker skin tones that are more sensitive to heat-based treatments.
At 86INK, we use the Candela Exceed™ — an FDA-cleared medical microneedling device that delivers consistent, precise needle depth across the entire treatment area. Unlike spa-grade dermarollers or entry-level pen devices, the Exceed™ is a regulated medical device available only through licensed medical providers, which means the treatment you receive is held to a clinical standard.
What Microneedling Treats
The Candela Exceed™ is FDA-cleared for two specific indications: facial wrinkles and acne scars. In clinical practice, its collagen-stimulating mechanism benefits a broader range of concerns:
Acne scars are among the most rewarding applications. Atrophic scars — the depressed, pitted marks left behind after inflammatory acne — form because the skin loses collagen during the healing process. Microneedling reverses this by stimulating new collagen in the dermis beneath the scar, gradually raising and smoothing the surface over a series of sessions. Rolling scars and boxcar scars typically respond best; ice-pick scars may require combination therapy.
Fine lines and wrinkles respond well because collagen and elastin are the structural proteins responsible for skin firmness and elasticity. As we age, production of both slows significantly. Microneedling restarts that production cycle, visibly softening dynamic lines around the eyes, mouth, and forehead — and improving the overall quality and resilience of the skin.
Enlarged pores shrink as the collagen surrounding each pore tightens and the pore walls become more structured. Patients with oily or combination skin often notice a significant reduction in pore visibility after a series of treatments.
Uneven skin texture — rough patches, bumpy skin, or the general dullness that comes with accumulated sun damage and slower cellular turnover — improves as new collagen fills in surface irregularities and the micro-channels stimulate epidermal renewal.
Stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, and hips can also be improved with microneedling, particularly when the marks are relatively recent (pink or red rather than fully white). The mechanism is the same: stimulating collagen in the dermis beneath the affected area.
Hyperpigmentation can improve when microneedling is combined with appropriate brightening serums applied immediately after treatment, when the micro-channels allow deeper penetration than topical application alone.
Why the Candela Exceed™ Stands Apart
Not all microneedling devices are equal. The Candela Exceed™ earns its FDA clearance through a combination of design features that set it apart from consumer-grade alternatives:
Adjustable needle depth from 0.5 mm to 3.5 mm allows precise calibration for different treatment areas and skin concerns. Delicate areas around the eyes require shallower settings; deeper acne scars on the cheeks benefit from greater depth. A skilled provider adjusts depth dynamically throughout the session rather than applying a single setting to the entire face.
Consistent needle penetration is ensured by the device's motorized stamping mechanism, which delivers each needle at the same angle and speed regardless of provider hand pressure. This consistency is critical for uniform results and for avoiding the uneven trauma that manual rolling can cause.
Safety for all skin types, including Fitzpatrick types IV through VI, is one of the most important clinical advantages. Because microneedling does not generate significant heat, it does not carry the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) that limits the use of many laser and light-based treatments in darker skin tones. At 86INK, we treat a diverse patient population, and having a device that is both effective and safe across all skin types is a clinical priority.
What to Expect: Before, During, and After
Your first appointment begins with a thorough skin assessment. Leisha will review your skin concerns, medical history, current skincare regimen, and treatment goals. This consultation determines the appropriate needle depth, session frequency, and whether combining microneedling with other treatments — such as exosomes, PRP, or brightening serums — would enhance your results.
On the day of treatment, a topical numbing cream is applied for 20 to 30 minutes before the session begins. Most patients find the treatment comfortable once the numbing takes effect, describing the sensation as a mild vibrating or prickling feeling. The treatment itself takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes for a full-face session.
Immediately after, the skin appears pink to red — similar to a moderate sunburn — and may feel warm and slightly tight. This is a normal inflammatory response and typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Most patients return to their regular activities the following day, applying a mineral SPF and keeping the skin well-hydrated.
In the days following treatment, the skin may feel slightly rough as the micro-channels close and the epidermis renews. By day four or five, most patients notice a visible improvement in skin radiance and texture — the early result of accelerated cellular turnover. The deeper collagen remodeling continues for four to six weeks after each session, which is why results are cumulative and improve progressively across a treatment series.
How Many Sessions Do You Need?
For most skin rejuvenation goals, a series of three to six sessions spaced four to six weeks apart delivers the most meaningful improvement. Acne scarring typically requires the higher end of that range. Fine lines and texture concerns often respond well to three sessions. After completing a series, maintenance sessions every six to twelve months help sustain results and continue the collagen remodeling process.
The table below summarizes typical session recommendations by concern:
| Concern | Recommended Sessions | Spacing | |---|---|---| | Fine lines & wrinkles | 3–4 sessions | 4–6 weeks | | Acne scars (mild–moderate) | 4–6 sessions | 4–6 weeks | | Enlarged pores | 3–4 sessions | 4–6 weeks | | Skin texture & tone | 3 sessions | 4–6 weeks | | Stretch marks | 4–6 sessions | 4–6 weeks | | Maintenance | 1–2 sessions/year | As needed |
Enhancing Results with Exosomes
At 86INK, we offer the option to combine Candela Exceed™ microneedling with exosome therapy — a next-generation regenerative add-on that amplifies the healing response triggered by the micro-channels. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells that carry growth factors, peptides, and signaling molecules directly into the dermis through the micro-channels created during treatment.
Patients who add exosomes to their microneedling sessions typically report faster healing, more pronounced improvement in skin quality, and enhanced results compared to microneedling alone. This combination is particularly beneficial for patients with significant acne scarring, mature skin, or those looking to maximize the collagen-stimulating effect of each session.
At 86INK in Tulsa, every microneedling treatment is performed by Leisha Lawson, FNP-C — a board-certified nurse practitioner with advanced training in aesthetic medicine and laser science. Book your complimentary consultation to discuss whether Candela Exceed™ microneedling is right for your skin goals. Call or text us at (918) 625-1480, or visit us at 11917 S Norwood Ave, Suite 112, Tulsa, OK 74137.
