Acids are a skincare staple. They provide a multitude of benefits in the treatment room and in our homecare regimens. In this blog I wanted to talk about a lesser known but emerging acid Tranexamic. Tranexamic acid comes from the amino acid lysine. Amino acids like lysine are the building blocks of protein. These proteins help produce hormones, immune cells, and enzymes.

Tranexamic acid is a synthetic derivative of lysine, and when applied topically, it can alter the way cells produce melanin, the pigment that gives your skin color, it interrupts pathways in the skin that might otherwise lead to an uneven skin tone.

It can also strengthen the skin’s barrier and improve the appearance of rosacea.

It can also be used to reduce post inflammatory redness and hyperpigmentation associated with healing acne lesions.

Tranexamic acid, like any new product, should be gradually introduced into your regimen gradually so as to avoid any potential complications such as irritation, dryness or flaking.

Tranexamic acid is also a wonderful ingredient in the treatment room, Apeeling Skin utilizes tranexamic acid by request in my microneedling treatments, formulated to attack eight different pigmentation pathways, the AnteAGE MD® Brightening Microneedling Solution is the only product on the market to effectively brighten and target discoloration at the cellular level without drying, irritation or inflammation.

There are two big reasons Microneedling is one of my all time favorite treatments to perform on my clients. The first reasons is the “downtime” is negligible as in there isn’t much if it and the second is no other treatment has been clinically shown to stimulate this much collagen WITHOUT marked downtime.

I’ve recently noticed a growing rise in the demand for results driven treatments but a lot of clients cannot afford or don’t have the time to remain home for 1-2 weeks but most treatments that deliver long term results require some downtime.

Numerous studies have proven enormous amounts of collagen are produced when Microneedling is performed.

Microneedling is best performed as a preventative measure for aging and a terrific corrective treatment for

Fine lines and wrinkles

Enlarged pores
Acne breakouts and acne scars
Surgical, burn, or injury scars
Irregular skin texture, tone, and color
Melasma (hyperpigmentation and dark spots)
Loose skin
Age spots
Dull or uneven complexion
Sun damage
Stretch marks

Numbing cream is applied before the treatment to provide maximum comfort during the procedure.

The day of treatment the skin will feel as though you’ve had a sun burn or light chemical peel and appear pink to red. The following day you may still be experiencing some discoloration in the skin and or tenderness and tightness. Typically within 48 hours the skin looks “back to normal”, the exception being scar treatments as those targeted treatments may result in some redness for an extra 3-5 days.

Those unsuitable for Microneedling treatments are

Active acne, especially inflammatory lesions

Active herpes labialis or other localized infection in the treatment area, including warts.
Moderate-to-severe chronic skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis
Patients with extreme keloidal tendencies
Immunosuppressed patients, including patients on chemotherapy
Diabetics
Patients on blood thinning medications

I do want to underline what Microneedling can and cannot do for you. Microneedling will NOT tighten the skin if there is extensive laxity, numerous treatments over time can improve laxity but it is not a replacement for cosmetic surgery such as neck and face lift, that being said it is a wonderful preventative measure for those with the beginnings of skin laxity in the face and neck. It will however provide more noticeable results in those with scarring, (not keloidal), but how many treatments you will need to see improvement differs from person to person.

I also want to address the “more is better” fallacy. A lot of clients that have been overtreated in the past with other clinics have come to expect this when choosing my Microneedling services. The goal is to create controlled micro-injuries that stimulate the skin’s natural healing and collagen-producing processes—not to cause excessive trauma.

Major Risks of Aggressive Microneedling

Scarring: Overworking the skin can cause permanent track marks, indentations, or raised keloid scars instead of smooth healing.
Fibrosis: Repeated harsh trauma causes stiff, scar-like tissue to form, making skin feel thick, tight, and less elastic.
Infection: Deep or dirty punctures let bacteria enter easily, leading to painful bumps, pus, or severe breakouts.
Dark Spots: Intense trauma triggers extra melanin production, leaving behind stubborn dark patches known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Persistent Redness: Normal pinkness should fade in a few days, but aggressive sessions cause raw, swollen, or burning skin that lasts for weeks.
When it comes to microneedling, less is often more. The goal of the treatment is to spark the skin's natural renewal process through controlled, precise micro-injuries—not to cause outright trauma. Pushing the skin too hard with aggressive depth or pressure backfires, leading to prolonged downtime, scarring, and hyperpigmentation rather than a flawless glow.
True skin transformation requires patience and respect for the skin barrier. Trust the process, follow professional guidance on depth and frequency, and let your skin heal at its own pace. Beautiful, healthy results come from consistent, smart treatments, not a single over-aggressive session.

Spotlight Skincare Ingredient; Tranexamic acid.

Is Microneedling right for you? What results should I expect?