Microneedling at-Home vs Professional: What Women Over 50 Need to Know

I love to experiment with different at-home skin care devices. I have in my possession a micro-dermabrasion handheld machine, a laser device, LED light therapy mask(s), 3 microneedling devices, a micro-infusion kit, 2 microcurrent devices, and more. This is not to leave out the multitudes of skin care products, most of which I don’t like. The majority of devices and products are sent to me by vendors to sample and create content, so don’t tell them I don’t like their product. I have that disease, you know, what’s it called? 

The “I hate everything” disease. 

This happens when you are a so-called seasoned professional in an industry you are tired of. Having been in the beauty industry for 25+ years as a model, esthetician, and celebrity make-up artist, that term basically describes me. With that in mind, my compulsive experimentation and heavy knowledge base has not only made me popular among my friends but also led me to become a mega-fan of micro-needling. I have seen the biggest improvements over the shortest amount of time with things like wrinkles, age spots, uneven texture, and dullness. 

Recently, I was curious to try an in-office microneedling treatment (I no longer work as an esthetician so I asked my fellow esthetician, Ana, to help me with this one) and compare it to a handheld device. How does at-home stack up against a pro treatment? 

Whether you’re navigating texture, fine lines, acne scars, or just looking for better-penetrating skincare, this post breaks it down in relatable, expert-informed terms. As my at-home device, I have chosen my current muse, Banish. There are different types of at-home devices and you can read about that here. 

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What Is Microneedling, Anyway?

Microneedling is a technique that uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin. These micro-injuries prompt your body to ramp up collagen and elastin production; the proteins that keep skin firm, smooth, and youthful. It’s known as collagen induction therapy and has become increasingly popular for reducing:

• Acne scars
• Texture irregularities
• Fine lines
• Uneven pigmentation

Both salon and home methods rely on this principle, but the depth of needle penetration and technique differs, which is key to results and safety.

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At-Home Microneedling: What You Should Know

At home, microneedling tools, like the Banish Banisher Kit 3.0, typically involve a handheld roller or stamp with tiny needles. These devices only reach the superficial layers of your skin, usually around 0.25mm–0.5mm, which is enough to help your skin absorb serums and gently encourage surface texture improvement.

Pros of At-Home Microneedling

1. Convenient & Cost-Effective: No appointment, no travel, and usually far less expensive than in-office treatments.2.
2. Enhances Skincare Absorption: By creating tiny channels in the skin, products like Banish’s vitamin C serum can penetrate deeper.3.
3. Great for Mild Texture & Glow: Even gentle at-home stimulation can give your complexion a smoother, fresher look.

Things to Be Careful About

1. Cleanliness is Crucial: Using needles can increase risk of infection if tools aren’t properly sanitized.
2. Not Deep Enough for Serious Concerns: If your goal is to significantly improve deep acne scars or wrinkles, at-home tools may only cause surface benefits. Prolonged use can provide more pronounced results.
3. Technique Matters: Rolling incorrectly forces needles in at angles that can tug and tear, instead of puncturing cleanly. 

Many skincare experts consider at-home microneedling a valuable and supportive tool, perfect for helping serums work harder or refreshing texture, especially when used correctly and hygienically. It’s not a replacement for professional devices or treatments when deeper work is needed. 

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Professional Microneedling: The Inside Scoop

Professional microneedling is performed by licensed aestheticians or dermatologists using medical-grade pens. These devices can adjust needle depth and penetrate the dermis (the deeper layer of skin), where collagen production has a more powerful effect.

Why Professionals Get Different Results

1. Deeper Needle Penetration: This is where scar remodeling and collagen stimulation really happen.
2. Sterile Environment: Professional settings minimize infection risk and ensure healing protocols are followed.
3. Targeted Treatment: Experts can adjust depth based on your skin zone and goals, something at-home tools can’t. 

Professional treatments cost significantly more, anywhere from $400 to $2000 depending on what ad-on treatments you have done, but many women find that the quality of results and peace of mind make it worth the investment. 

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Where Banish Fits In

If you’re leaning toward the at-home route, brands like Banish have made microneedling more approachable. Their Banisher 3.0 Kit offers different needle lengths and ergonomic design for ease of use and it pairs beautifully with serums and masks designed to calm, repair, and illuminate skin. 

Their products focus on helping mature and textured skin look healthier, with Vitamin C Serum and Pumpkin Enzyme Masque complementing microneedling sessions. The various options for microneedling kits that include some skin care vary from $130-$220. Every 3-6 months, you will need new heads (0.25, 0.50, and 1.0mm) which cost anywhere from $40-$70 for a bundle. 

👉 Key point: Banish is about empowering your skincare journey, not replacing clinical care, especially when treating deeper concerns. 

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Tips for Women 50+ Considering Microneedling

1. Start with honest goals. Soft texture issues or glow? At-home can suffice. Deeper scars or fine lines? Consider professional guidance.2.
2. Prioritize hygiene. Clean tools and clean hands are non-negotiable.3
3. Protect your skin afterward. SPF is essential. Freshly needled skin is more vulnerable to sun damage.4.
4. Consistency over intensity. Gradual, gentle treatments win the long game, even for deeper wrinkles, scars, acne, and age spots.

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So, Which Is Better? Home or Pro?

Most of you can’t get the irritated birds-eye view I have of the beauty industry, however; you can read blogs like this and learn the basics of what works. The truth is, it isn’t about which is better, it’s about what your skin needs right now, budget, and personal preference. 

• At-home microneedling (like with Banish tools) can be an effective way to boost your routine, improve texture, and help products absorb better. 
• Professional treatments deliver deeper, more targeted improvements when you’re addressing scars, wrinkles, and dreams of firmer skin. 

For many women over 50, a hybrid approach; professional care for deeper work, and thoughtful at-home sessions in between, offers the best of both worlds. Having said that, if you are consistent, at-home treatments might take longer, but in the end you will see great improvement at a fraction of the cost. 

What do you think? Have you tried in-office and/or at-home microneedling? What do you think of both? 

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Sources: 

(Dr. Connie Hiers) 

(RFSA Dermatology)

(BANISH)