I’ll be honest — when I booked my first appointment for microneedling in Lake Mary, I had no idea what I was walking into. I’d spent two years reading skincare Reddit threads, watching too many dermatologists on YouTube, and staring at the boxcar scars on my cheeks in every Zoom call. I’d tried every serum, every retinoid, every “miracle” product Sephora could sell me. Nothing touched the texture.
So when a friend mentioned she’d been getting microneedling done at a med spa near Lake Mary, I did what every red-blooded American does: I frantically researched for three weeks, had three consultations, and then finally committed to a series of six sessions.
Here’s what actually happened.
Who This Is For
This is for anyone in the Lake Mary, FL area (or anywhere, really) who’s considering microneedling but feels overwhelmed by all the conflicting information online. I’m not a doctor, an esthetician, or a beauty influencer — I’m just a regular person with acne scars who wanted to share an honest account.
I’ve also asked my provider, who’s been doing this for 13+ years, to fact-check the medical claims below. So you get the real story and the science.
Step One: Three Consultations
I visited three different med spas near Lake Mary before committing. Here’s what I learned:
The first place offered “microneedling facials” for $99 and tried to upsell me into a $3,000 package during the consultation. No doctor on staff. No real assessment of my scars. I left.
The second place was more legitimate, but the esthetician admitted she’d only been doing microneedling for eight months. She didn’t know how to treat darker skin tones (I’m a Fitzpatrick IV). I left.
The third place — which is where I ultimately booked — spent 30 minutes with me during the consultation. They asked about my medical history, examined my scars under a magnifying lamp, explained exactly which device they’d use and why, and were honest about what kind of improvement I could expect.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), a proper consultation with scar assessment is essential before any microneedling treatment. Most reputable providers will not skip this step.
The Cost in Lake Mary
The pricing breakdown at my chosen med spa:
- Consultation: Free (most places in the Lake Mary area offer free consultations)
- Single session (medical depth, 1.5 mm): $475
- Package of 4 sessions: $1,700 (about $425/session — modest savings)
- Package of 6 sessions: $2,400 ($400/session — better value)
I committed to the 6-session package. Total investment: $2,400 plus tax. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) confirms that 4–6 sessions is standard for atrophic acne scarring.
Session One: What It Actually Feels Like
Here’s the part nobody really tells you. After numbing cream sat on my face for 30 minutes, the actual treatment felt like… a cat licking my face with a tiny sandpaper tongue? That’s the best description I have.
- Pain: With numbing, maybe a 3 out of 10. Without numbing, I imagine it’d be more like a 6 or 7.
- Time: About 25 minutes for my full face
- Sound: A high-pitched buzzing that wasn’t unpleasant, just strange
- Smell: None (unlike laser treatments)
- Bleeding: Tiny pinpricks of blood, which my provider wiped away as we went
Afterward, my face looked like I’d gotten a mild sunburn. Red, slightly swollen, warm to the touch. The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) confirms this is the normal immediate reaction.
Days 1–7: The Ugly Phase
I’m not going to sugarcoat this — the first few days post-treatment are not cute.
- Day 1: Redness, tightness, mild swelling. Looked like I had a bad sunburn. Stayed home.
- Day 2: Less red, more pink. Skin felt tight and slightly rough. Still stayed home.
- Day 3: Pinkness fading. Some light flaking starting around my nose and chin.
- Day 4: Almost back to normal. Light makeup was okay by evening.
- Day 5–7: Skin looked refreshed. Honestly, glowy.
The Mayo Clinic confirms this recovery timeline is typical. My provider gave me very specific aftercare instructions, which I’ll share because they’re critical — especially in Florida.
The Florida Sun Reality
My provider made one thing very clear: “Your results will live or die by your sunscreen habits.”
Central Florida’s UV index is no joke. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies our region as high-risk for UV exposure year-round, even in December. After microneedling, your skin is dramatically more vulnerable to UV damage — and sun exposure during the recovery window can cause hyperpigmentation that takes months to fade.
My daily routine post-treatment:
- Mineral SPF 50 every morning (I upgraded from my usual SPF 30)
- Reapply every 2 hours if I’m outside
- Wide-brimmed hat for any outdoor activity
- Avoid mid-day sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the AAD both consider sun avoidance the most important aftercare step.
Sessions Two Through Six: What Changed
By session three (around week 10), I noticed something: my makeup was going on smoother. The boxcar scars on my left cheek were still visible, but the texture felt less obvious to the touch.
By session five, my husband said, “Your skin looks different. What are you doing?”
By six weeks after my final session, the change was noticeable in photos. The shallow scars had softened significantly. The deeper ones were still there, but less obvious. My skin overall looked more even — not perfect, but visibly better.
The National Institutes of Health PubMed database confirms this kind of cumulative improvement is typical. The Cleveland Clinic notes that 50–80% improvement is a realistic expectation for most patients with atrophic scars.
What I Wish I’d Known Before Starting
Looking back, here’s what I’d tell anyone considering microneedling in the Lake Mary area:
1. Don’t cheap out. The $99 “microneedling facials” are not the same treatment. You need medical-depth work for scars.
2. Ask about the operator’s experience. The skill of the person doing the treatment matters more than the device brand.
3. Take aftercare seriously. Especially in Florida’s sun. Skipping sunscreen ruins results.
4. Set realistic expectations. I got meaningful improvement — maybe 60% in the worst areas. That’s good. It’s not “perfect skin,” and I wasn’t expecting it to be.
5. Plan around your social calendar. The first 3 days post-treatment are not “going to brunch” days.
6. Don’t stop halfway. The collagen-building is cumulative. Skipping sessions reduces results.
Side Effects I Experienced
Honestly? Very few. Some things I noticed:
- Mild post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation around my jawline after session 2 (resolved in 3 weeks with diligent SPF)
- A small breakout around day 5 after session 3 (normal according to my provider — the treatment pushes impurities to the surface)
- Some itching during the flaking phase (resisted the urge to scratch)
None of these were severe enough to interrupt my treatment series.
Was It Worth It?
For me, yes. The texture improvement is real, the scars are meaningfully softer, and my confidence in my bare skin is higher than it’s been in years.
That said — and this is important — my results reflect my skin, my scars, my consistency with aftercare, and my provider. Results vary significantly based on these factors. Someone with deeper ice pick scars than mine might see less improvement. Someone who doesn’t take sun avoidance seriously might develop hyperpigmentation. Someone with a less skilled provider might have a worse experience.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) emphasizes that individual outcomes depend on multiple factors.
Frequently Asked Questions (From My Actual Experience)
Did it hurt? – With numbing cream, mildly. Like a scratchy cat licking your face.
How long until I saw results? – Subtle texture improvement after session 2. Meaningful change after sessions 4–5.
Did it work for your acne scars? – Yes, for the rolling and boxcar scars. Less improvement on the deeper ice pick ones.
How much did it cost total? – $2,400 for the full 6-session package. Worth every penny for me.
Would you do it again? – Yes, and I might do maintenance sessions yearly.
If You’re Considering Microneedling in Lake Mary
The single most important thing I learned through this process is that the provider matters more than the price. I almost went with the cheapest option. Had I done that, I would have wasted money on a treatment that didn’t reach deep enough to help my scars.
The med spa I ultimately chose was Ekaterina Med Spa in the Lake Mary area. They were the only ones who spent real time with me during consultation, explained exactly what they were going to do and why, and set honest expectations about what microneedling could and couldn’t do for my skin.
If you’re in the Lake Mary or Seminole County area and you’re thinking about microneedling, I can’t tell you which provider to choose — but I can tell you to ask the questions I asked. The answers will tell you everything you need to know.
👉 Learn more about microneedling services in Lake Mary
Address:
Ekaterina Medspa Lake Mary
725 Primera Blvd, suite 105, Lake Mary, FL, United States, Florida
Phone: (407) 227-4998
Medical Disclaimer: This is a personal account, not medical advice. Individual results vary significantly. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any cosmetic treatment.
About the Author
Jamie Thornton | Lake Mary, FL resident | Personal account based on her own microneedling experience in 2025. Medical facts reviewed by a licensed esthetician for accuracy.
Medical Reviewer
Yelena Markovich | Licensed Medical Esthetician | Reviewed: November 2025
Last Updated: November 2025