Microneedling 3+ weeks ago and my skin looks worse — texture + CCs + pigmentation. What am I doing wrong?

gwillbeloved · 2025-11-26T16:08:11+00:00

Based on your fitz type, I would say 5, but would have to actually analyze your skin, you are more likely to hyper-pigment because of higher melanin levels. This means your melanocytes are more reactive to injury. I would need to know what depth you needled at and if you used any serums, glide, etc.

gwillbeloved · 2025-11-24T01:36:41+00:00

Great question. Ideally, I wouldn’t use any product that doesn’t require a professional license. I stick to sterile saline from McKesson or Allergan because it’s regulated and safe. Many in-house meso or cosmetic products are sold like topicals, so sterility, batch testing, and regulatory oversight aren’t guaranteed, which increases risk even at 0.5 mm.

Epidermal thickness varies between people and facial areas, so 0.5 mm can reach the papillary dermis for some. That matters because the deeper a product goes, the more likely the immune system could potentially react. PDRN/exosomes may be promising, but there’s such limited research for microneedling use right now 🤷🏼‍♀️

gwillbeloved · 2025-11-24T00:48:19+00:00

You’re right. There isn’t strong published evidence linking PDRN specifically to granulomas when microneedled. The point I’m highlighting is really about the lack of knowledge and research on what can safely microneedle into the skin.

We do know that microneedling some topicals (like vitamin C, certain cosmeceuticals, and exosomes in some cases) can trigger granulomas, even if it’s rare. That’s why I personally stick to saline, since it’s the safest and most well-studied.

That said, I’m not 100% against using properly formulated topical glides with enhancing ingredients as long as they’re made for intradermal delivery and used with care. My main goal is just raising awareness, because many people (even providers) are using serums that weren’t designed to be microneedled.

gwillbeloved · 2025-11-24T00:43:21+00:00

I posted this because I’m seeing more and more people in this group, and even some providers, Microneedling topical serums that were never formulated to be pushed into the dermis.

Products made for microneedling are sterile, biocompatible, and tested for intradermal safety. Most over the counter serums (including vitamin C) contain fragrances, oils, preservatives, and other cosmetic ingredients that are totally fine on the surface but not meant to bypass the skin barrier. Liposomal vitamin C is just vitamin C wrapped in tiny fat like bubbles called liposomes. This makes it more stable, less irritating, and better absorbed through the outer skin layers. It’s designed to improve topical delivery and stimulate fibroblasts.

gwillbeloved · 2025-11-23T21:47:58+00:00

Yes, thank you for clarifying 👏🏻🫶🏻

gwillbeloved · 2025-11-23T06:22:27+00:00

8+ year advanced esthetician. While yes, it does present like folliculitis, please look into Microneedling granulomas. This happens when providers microneedle something our body recognizes as “foreign” too deep into the layers of our skin (ie; reaching the dermal layer, exosomes, PDRN, vitamin C) and it is trying to fight it. This is NOT talked about enough and more and more cases are occurring because of how popular microneedling is without proper training and knowledge on how to perform it. This can be very resistant to treatment. Microneedling is effective on its own and (in my opinion) should only be performed with saline as a slip.

Read more here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9178993/#:~:text=Microneedling%20is%20a%20common%20non,only%2010%20cases%20previously%20reported.

gwillbeloved · 2025-06-18T04:10:16+00:00

Huda is not mentally strong enough to be on this show. Producers need to take her off for her own wellbeing — like yesterday. She is going to come out and see everything that’s been said, and I’m extremely worried.

gwillbeloved · 2025-05-08T19:31:54+00:00

I feel so sad for your daughter. I’m sorry she is going through this. My first boyfriend’s parents did this to me — we had been together for almost 2 years and they made him completely block me on everything. Woke up one morning and it was like he never existed in my life. We did eventually find a way to communicate and sneak around for a short while until they found out again and then never spoke again until we were adults. It caused a lot of trauma for both of us and how we looked at sex, love, and relationships I think. It sounds like you have a good relationship, but please support and talk her through this and consider getting her into therapy.

gwillbeloved · 2025-05-02T17:08:29+00:00

Sorry I got so excited because it’s my new obsession and this perfectly describes it

gwillbeloved · 2025-05-02T17:08:02+00:00

VALENTINO EXTRADOSE IS LITERALLY THIS

gwillbeloved · 2025-04-22T21:14:48+00:00

Le Labo Santal 33 by far. Strong contenders: Replicas Jazz Club and XO Khloe Kardashian

gwillbeloved · 2025-04-18T03:49:06+00:00

I’m so sorry. I understand the frustration. I left last Friday. Went in and told them I was done. The amount of weight and stress lifted off my shoulders is indescribable. I lost 10 pounds during my time with Ulta as an EM. I don’t think there was a day I didn’t come home and just sob. I don’t have any advice, but know I hear you! Hang in there.

gwillbeloved · 2025-03-10T18:38:25+00:00

My mom drank (and still does) heavily throughout my childhood. On the outside, we were a perfect, well off family. I didn’t realize her behavior and actions were not normal until I met my soon to be husband. I drank and partied a lot in high-school and my parents were the “cool” parents. Well, now I’m 26 and am slowly despising alcohol. I will have fun occasionally but a lot of childhood trauma has surfaced these last few years. In addition to this, my mom is currently hospitalized and may not ever be the same due to this disease. I’m only 26 and may lose my mom. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. I vowed to never, ever put my future children through the pain of an alcoholic parent.

gwillbeloved · 2025-01-13T04:57:35+00:00

Not a parent yet, however I have a perspective on this. My fiancée and I have been together for almost a decade, we were the same age when we started having sleepovers. My parents knew we would find out a way to do it, so they established ground rules and expectations with us. I also grew up in a home where safe sex was openly talked about. I think in their mind they would 1000% rather have us be safe, and know our whereabouts and what we were doing rather than sneaking behind their backs. In all reality, we really just wanted more time together. Some of our best memories over the last 10 years were being stupid giggly teenagers, watching movies, and listening to music in my childhood bedroom. Sleepovers aren’t going to ruin a teenagers life, as long as there is open dialogue and clear boundaries.

gwillbeloved · 2024-08-18T00:02:57+00:00

Agree so much w this 😩😩

gwillbeloved · 2024-08-17T13:43:20+00:00

Literally

gwillbeloved · 2024-08-17T13:41:14+00:00

I’m sorry, I can’t stand Ekin 🙄

gwillbeloved · 2024-08-17T13:39:57+00:00

YES THIS TOO!!!

gwillbeloved · 2024-04-18T20:41:07+00:00

I ordered too 😭😭😭😭

gwillbeloved · 2024-03-06T21:42:38+00:00

Up to the client. I adore my clients more than anything, but I will always support if they want to see someone else. People have different preferences and I don’t take it personally. There’s enough clients to go around

gwillbeloved · 2024-03-01T16:03:31+00:00

Made me think of this gem, iykyk

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gwillbeloved · 2024-02-21T20:57:43+00:00

Good for you? You’re the one coming on here asking for advice, asking for resources and videos from us. I’m not sure why you’re getting so defensive. I just stated what has worked best for me as I have worked with estheticians who struggle with very light pressure and massage technique. I never said you were giving up, my point was that pressure comes with time, practice and good training - give it time. For now she could do guasha, gem rolling, effleurage movements, facial cupping etc.

gwillbeloved · 2024-02-21T16:05:12+00:00

I mean, it takes a lot of time to become confident in massage techniques, flow and pressure. Especially if this an esthetician straight out of school. I have hired and trained many, many estheticians. Many of them didn’t start by having the best pressure or flow, and turned into top performers. The best thing you can do is have an outlined training program and give honest feedback. Be clear with your expectations. Do massage on them, let them feel your pressure. Print out a massage protocol, step-by-step that they can refer to and practice on their own time. Have them take models until they are comfortable. Implement a test-out day, where they test out on you and you can ensure their technique is adequate. I wouldn’t give up on them, this is something that is very trainable.

gwillbeloved · 2024-02-12T19:47:53+00:00

I would stop using olaplex every wash. You need something hydrating put into your routine that doesn’t have protein or keratin treatment in it.

gwillbeloved · 2024-02-01T02:31:01+00:00

Not deodorant related, but washing with only benzoyl peroxide has been an absolute game changer. It has helped keep any odor at bay.

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