831-401-5141
Neuroscience-Informed Acupuncture & Integrative Care in Santa Cruz
Evidence-based acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, and microneedling for pain, injury recovery, metabolic health, and skin rejuvenation.
Now accepting Medi-Cal!
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling — also called collagen induction therapy — is one of the most effective evidence-backed treatments for skin texture, scarring, fine lines, and even hair thinning. At Ava Zack Acupuncture in Downtown Santa Cruz, microneedling is performed by Dr. Ava Zack, DAcHM, LAc, with a conservative, medically informed, safety-first approach. This is medical microneedling by a licensed needling specialist — not a spa add-on.
What Microneedling Treats
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Fine lines and early signs of skin aging
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Acne scars and other atrophic scarring
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Uneven skin texture and enlarged pores
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Dull tone and loss of firmness
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Hair thinning and hair loss — microneedling of the scalp stimulates circulation and growth-factor activity at the follicle, and research supports it as an adjunct for androgenetic hair loss
How It Works
A sterile, single-use cartridge of ultra-fine needles creates thousands of controlled micro-channels in the skin. This triggers the body's wound-healing cascade: growth factors are released, new collagen and elastin are produced, and skin remodels over the following weeks. Results build progressively — most people see meaningful change in texture and tone after a series of 3–6 sessions spaced about 4 weeks apart, with continued improvement for months as collagen matures.
Why Choose a Medical Provider for Microneedling
Needle depth, technique, skin assessment, and infection control determine both your results and your safety. As a doctorate-level clinician whose entire profession is precise, sterile needling, Dr. Zack offers a level of training that aesthetician-only settings can't match — and because she's trained in whole-body medicine, treatment also addresses internal factors that affect skin: inflammation, hormones, nutrition, stress, and circulation. Many patients combine microneedling with cosmetic acupuncture for inside-out results.
What a Session Is Like
Each session ($249-349) begins with skin assessment and cleansing, followed by topical numbing for comfort. The treatment itself takes 20–30 minutes. Expect redness like a mild sunburn for 24–72 hours, with simple aftercare instructions provided. Most people return to normal activities the next day.
Microneedling & Cosmetic Acupuncture
Graceful Aging
Medical microneedling and cosmetic acupuncture are offered as medical aesthetic services.
We use the highest quality TCM-derived serums available and individually tailor them to our patients' needs. Microneedling maximizes their absorption for optimal results. It treats a variety of skin concerns, including acne, and can help treat and prevent hair loss.
Please schedule an initial consultation and we can create a plan for you!
What is Microneedling?
How can it help me?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a medical-grade skin rejuvenation treatment that stimulates collagen and elastin production through controlled, precise micro-injuries to the skin. It can be thought of as a motorized, dermatologic form of acupuncture, designed specifically to activate the skin’s natural repair and regeneration processes.
During treatment, ultra-fine sterile needles are introduced into the skin at carefully controlled depths. These microtraumas stimulate the dermal layer, where fibroblasts and skin stem cells reside, triggering a wound-healing response that increases collagen and elastin production—key structural proteins responsible for firm, healthy, resilient skin.
The outer epidermal layer remains largely intact, allowing it to continue protecting the skin barrier. Over the following weeks, the epidermis naturally sheds as newly regenerated cells migrate upward, resulting in smoother texture, improved tone, and healthier-functioning skin.
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How Can Microneedling Help My Skin?
By working with the body’s innate healing mechanisms, microneedling supports gradual, natural skin improvement rather than artificial alteration. It is commonly used to improve:
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Fine lines and wrinkles
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Uneven skin texture and tone
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Acne scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
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Enlarged pores
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Sun damage and dull skin
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Hair thinning and scalp health (when used on the scalp)
Because collagen remodeling occurs over time, results develop progressively and continue to improve with a series of treatments.
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Medical & Integrative Microneedling in Santa Cruz
All microneedling treatments are performed using medical-grade devices with strict safety and hygiene standards. At Ava Zack Acupuncture, microneedling is often combined with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle guidance to support skin health from both internal and external perspectives.
This integrative approach addresses circulation, inflammation, and nervous system regulation—key factors in skin aging and repair. Our goal is natural skin restoration, not artificial enhancement, helping your skin function better and age more gracefully.
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Microneedling for Hair Loss & Scalp Health
Microneedling can also be performed on the scalp to support hair growth and follicle health. When applied to the scalp, controlled micro-injuries stimulate local circulation, activate follicular stem cells, and increase the release of growth factors involved in the hair growth cycle.
This process may help:
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Improve blood flow to hair follicles
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Support follicular regeneration and stem cell signaling
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Enhance absorption of topical growth-supportive serums
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Reduce inflammation that may contribute to hair thinning
Scalp microneedling is commonly used for early-stage hair thinning, stress-related shedding, postpartum hair loss, and age-related changes. At our clinic, scalp microneedling may be combined with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle guidance to support hair growth from both neurological and physiological perspectives.
Results are gradual and depend on consistency, underlying health factors, and the stage of hair loss. A series of treatments is typically recommended for best outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Microneedling FAQ
Does Microneedling hurt?
Does microneedling hurt? With topical numbing, most patients describe it as mild scratching or vibration. Sensitivity varies by area.
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How many sessions do I need? Typically 3–6 for skin concerns, spaced about a month apart; hair restoration protocols usually run longer. You'll get a specific plan at your first session.
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Is there downtime? Plan on redness for 1–3 days and avoid sun, sweat, and makeup for the first 24 hours. Full aftercare instructions are provided.
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How is this different from at-home dermarollers? Professional treatments reach effective depths safely with sterile, single-use cartridges and clinical technique. Home rollers work at superficial depths and carry real infection and scarring risk when misused.
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Is microneedling safe for all skin tones? Microneedling carries lower risk of pigmentation issues than many laser treatments, which makes it a good option for deeper skin tones — assessed individually at consultation.
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How is nanoneedling different from microneedling? Nanoneedling uses the same high-speed, oscillating motion as microneedling, but instead of needles, the cartridge tip contains 81 microscopic, hair-like silicone cones. These cones do not penetrate into the dermis. Instead, nanoneedling works only on the epidermis, affecting the outermost ~0.15 mm of the skin.
Because nanoneedling does not create true micro-injuries, it is a very gentle, non-invasive treatment. Its primary benefits are enhanced absorption of active or medicinal serums, light exfoliation, and improved skin texture and glow.
Nanoneedling can be performed weekly and functions more like a results-driven facial, while microneedling is a deeper treatment designed to stimulate collagen and address concerns such as scars, wrinkles, and hair loss. Many patients choose to alternate or combine both treatments depending on their skin goals.
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How should I prepare for my first session?
Most patients are not sensitive to the clean, minimal ingredients used during treatment—primarily hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the skin. If you have a history of skin sensitivity or concerns about reactions, you may request a patch test for any applicable serums prior to treatment.
On the day of your appointment, please arrive with a clean face and no makeup. We also recommend avoiding caffeine and alcohol beforehand, as both can increase skin sensitivity and reactivity.
If sensitivity is a concern, a topical numbing cream may be applied. Please allow extra time for the numbing agent to take effect. Single-use numbing packets can be requested for self-application at home—numbing cream typically reaches peak effectiveness at about one hour, with best results when applied 30 minutes before your scheduled session.
Your practitioner will review preparation and aftercare instructions with you to ensure a safe, comfortable, and effective first treatment.
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How many treatments does it take to get good results?
Some patients notice initial improvements in skin texture and glow within a few weeks, but true results from microneedling develop gradually. Collagen and elastin production occurs over several months, making results natural, progressive, and cumulative.
While improvement may be visible after a single session, microneedling works best as a series of treatments. Most treatment plans are spaced 4–6 weeks apart, which matches the skin’s natural collagen production and remodeling cycle.
The number of sessions needed varies from person to person. Because microneedling is a natural, holistic treatment, results are influenced by factors such as age, skin condition, lifestyle, nutrition, stress levels, and overall health.
For most patients, a minimum of four treatments is recommended to achieve noticeable, long-lasting improvements in skin texture, tone, firmness, and overall skin quality. Your practitioner will review your goals and create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve optimal results.
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​How long do the results last?
Studies have shown that microneedling results can last 3–5 years, even without further intervention, because the treatment stimulates your skin’s own collagen and elastin production.
That said, skin continues to age and respond to lifestyle and environmental factors. For optimal, long-term results, we recommend periodic “tune-up” treatments every 3–4 months. These maintenance sessions help support ongoing collagen production, preserve skin firmness and texture, and keep results looking fresh and consistent over time.