Microneedling vs. laser - which treatment is right for you?

Dental & Dermal is an aesthetics clinic in central Oslo, run by Chenxiao Li, located at Fridtjof Nansens Plass 9. We offer both microneedling and IPL/laser treatments - and one of the most common questions we receive is: "What's the difference, and which one is right for me?"

The short answer

Microneedling is best for texture, scars, and collagen. Laser/IPL is best for pigment, redness, and vascular concerns. But the reality is more nuanced - and sometimes combining both is the smartest approach.

What does microneedling do?

Microneedling uses fine needles (0.5–2.5 mm) to create thousands of microscopic channels in the skin. This controlled "injury" triggers your body's repair process:

• Increased collagen and elastin production
• Improved skin texture and pore refinement
• Reduction of acne scars and stretch marks
• Enhanced absorption of active ingredients (serums)

Number of treatments: 3–6 spaced 4 weeks apart Downtime: 1–3 days of redness (like sunburn) Price at Dental & Dermal: from 2,500 NOK per treatment

What does laser/IPL do?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and laser use light energy that is selectively absorbed by coloured structures in the skin:

• Breaks down melanin (pigmentation spots)
• Coagulates haemoglobin in dilated blood vessels (redness, couperose)
• Can stimulate collagen at specific settings
• Evens out overall skin tone

Number of treatments: 3–5 spaced 3–4 weeks apart Downtime: 3–7 days (pigment spots darken before flaking off) Price at Dental & Dermal: from 1,800 NOK per treatment

When should you choose microneedling?

Choose microneedling if you want to improve:

• Enlarged pores and uneven texture
• Acne scars (post-inflammatory marks)
• Fine lines and early wrinkles
• Overall skin quality and firmness
• Stretch marks

Microneedling also works well on all skin types and tones - including darker skin where laser/IPL may cause pigmentation changes.

When should you choose laser/IPL?

Choose laser/IPL if you want to treat:

• Sun damage and age spots
• Rosacea and general redness
• Visible blood vessels (couperose)
• Uneven skin tone with colour irregularities
• Poikiloderma (pigment + vascular changes)

IPL is particularly effective for "colour errors" - skin that has too much of something (pigment, blood) where it shouldn't be.

Can you combine both?

Yes - and it's often the most effective strategy. A common combination protocol:

1. First 2–3 IPL treatments to clear pigmentation and redness
2. Then 3–4 microneedling treatments to build collagen and improve texture

Alternatively, treatments can be alternated with 4-week intervals between them. Chenxiao Li creates an individual plan based on your skin's needs.

Comparison: Microneedling vs. IPL/Laser

	Microneedling	IPL/Laser
Best for	Texture, scars, pores	Pigment, redness, vessels
Collagen stimulation	High	Moderate
Downtime	1–3 days	3–7 days
Skin types	All	Caution on darker skin
Seasonal	No	Yes (avoid summer sun)
Pain level	Moderate (numbed)	Mild discomfort

Let Chenxiao Li guide you

Unsure what your skin needs? At Dental & Dermal, we offer both treatment modalities - and Chenxiao Li helps you choose the right one. Book a skin consultation at 939 66 888 and we'll create a plan that delivers the results you're looking for.