Applying a 20% concentration lidocaine topical anesthetic is a critical procedural prerequisite for deep microneedling treatments. This high-strength numbing agent, applied for approximately 30 minutes, is necessary to minimize pain during deep tissue penetration (typically 1.5mm), ensuring the patient remains still enough for the practitioner to perform the aggressive, multi-directional passes required for success.
The primary necessity of high-concentration anesthesia is not just patient comfort, but operational efficacy. Without it, the practitioner cannot apply the sustained pressure and repetition needed to reach the therapeutic endpoint of pinpoint bleeding.
The Link Between Anesthesia and Clinical Efficacy
Achieving the Therapeutic Endpoint
In deep microneedling, the goal is to create controlled physical trauma to stimulate collagen production.
The specific clinical indicator of success is pinpoint bleeding (referred to clinically as Orvalho Sanguíneo). This signals that the needles have penetrated the dermis sufficiently. Without adequate anesthesia, the pain associated with reaching this threshold is often intolerable for the patient, forcing the practitioner to stop prematurely.
Enabling Multi-Directional Passes
A single pass with a dermaroller or pen is rarely sufficient to treat conditions like acne scarring or deep wrinkles.
To ensure uniform coverage, the practitioner must perform multiple rolling or stamping passes in various directions (vertical, horizontal, and diagonal). A 20% lidocaine application ensures the patient can tolerate this repetitive trauma without flinching or withdrawing, allowing for a thorough and even treatment.
Mechanism and Depth Control
Blocking Deep Nerve Transmission
Standard over-the-counter anesthetics often fail to penetrate deeply enough to block pain receptors located 1.5mm to 2mm beneath the skin surface.
High-concentration lidocaine (20%) works by effectively blocking sodium channels in the peripheral nerve endings of the skin. By temporarily inhibiting the transmission of pain signals from these deeper layers, the anesthetic allows for high-intensity stamping or rolling even in dense, fibrous tissue like traumatic scars.
Ensuring Depth Consistency
Precision is paramount when treating specific skin layers, such as the basal layer for vitiligo or the deep dermis for striae (stretch marks).
If a patient reacts to pain by flinching or tensing their facial muscles, the depth of needle penetration becomes inconsistent. Adequate anesthesia stabilizes the "canvas," allowing the operator to maintain a consistent 1.5mm needle depth and uniform pressure throughout the procedure.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Application Time vs. Efficacy
While 20% lidocaine is potent, it is not instant. The primary reference highlights a mandatory 30-minute application window.
Rushing this period results in insufficient numbing, while leaving high-concentration anesthetics on for excessive periods (e.g., beyond 60 minutes under occlusion) can lead to systemic absorption toxicity. The timeline must be strictly adhered to for both safety and performance.
Visualizing the Endpoint
Topical anesthetics can sometimes cause localized blanching (whitening) or redness depending on the formulation.
Practitioners must be skilled enough to distinguish between anesthetic skin reactions and the desired clinical endpoint of diffuse erythema and pinpoint bleeding. Over-reliance on the numbing sensation should not distract from visually monitoring the skin's response to trauma.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure the safety and success of your microneedling procedure, match your anesthetic protocol to your clinical objective:
- If your primary focus is Deep Scar Remodeling (1.5mm+): You must use a high-concentration agent (20% lidocaine) applied for the full 30 minutes to permit the aggressive, multi-pass technique required to break down fibrous tissue.
- If your primary focus is Patient Safety: strictly monitor the application time to prevent systemic toxicity, removing the anesthetic immediately before the procedure begins.
True clinical efficacy in deep microneedling is impossible if the patient cannot tolerate the procedure long enough to induce the necessary repair signals.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Requirement | Clinical Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthetic Concentration | 20% Lidocaine | Blocks pain receptors at 1.5mm - 2mm depth |
| Application Time | 30 Minutes | Ensures full penetration and sodium channel inhibition |
| Clinical Indicator | Pinpoint Bleeding | Signals deep dermal trauma for collagen stimulation |
| Operational Goal | Multi-directional Passes | Enables thorough, even treatment of scars and wrinkles |
| Patient Stability | Muscle Relaxation | Prevents flinching to maintain consistent needle depth |
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References
- Flaviane Mattos Assunção Tatiane Martins Isabel Fernandes. MICROAGULHAMENTO NO TRATAMENTO DE ESTRIAS ALBAS: APLICAÇÃO EM SÉRIE DE CASOS. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6877408
This article is also based on technical information from Belislaser Knowledge Base .