What is microinfusion the $16 Amazon hack my skin is obsessed with

I was first introduced to microinfusions close to two years ago through a plastic surgeon I was friends with. It was starting to pop up in offices in Los Angeles my agency Aesthetic Influencer worked with, but there are so many treatments that I come in contact with that new ones don’t always hold my attention especially since I’m cautious of many peels and lasers as a women of color.

So WTF is microinfusion and why is my skin obsessed? It’s a combination of microneedling by stamping and infusing the skin with serums simultaneously. In a clinic, a microinfusion facial may include a cocktail of what a provider may typically inject into a client’s face like Botox and Filler, but microinfusions are not meant to erase wrinkles, only soften them. It’s usually a treatment done as an addition to injectables to concentrate on the skin because it leads to instant gratification with the least amount of downtime. The typical results are eliminating fine lines and tightening of the skin for a “Glass Skin” effect. Here in Los Angeles, it’s usually a treatment recommended to Hollywood clients before a major event because it leaves a radiant glow with minimal downtime. The device used is called AquaGold which the company sells to professionals and then another version A.S.A.P Microinfusion System for use at home. I had one professional treatment with Botox, Hyaluronic Acid, and PRP from a dermatologist that was a client and was hooked! Naturally I told all of my friends about it.

How much does a professional treatment cost? Like most treatments, you should be going in for a series, but being anywhere from $600 - $900 per treatment, most of us didn’t seek out a professional treatment as often as was recommended. Even at the lower price end, $600 is a lot to drop for a sprinkle of Botox labeled as a facial on a regular basis, but just like Botox injected with a needle. . . the effects won’t last forever. While at-home therapies can never replace the multitude of benefits professional services have, just like you still need to brush your teeth everyday after going to see the dentist, microinfusing your skin at home can help enhance the results you get in a professional setting. Now just to keep it all the way real, $600 is a lot of money for tiny droplets of Botox and the promise of better skin. Luckily, if you are curious to see if it makes an immediate difference for you, most offices in the States do some form of this with Aquagold so the price has been driven down to as low as $250 with Botox plus a blend of other serums in some areas.

Can I get this done cheaper?! You can try the treatment at home for $225 for Dew & Go Microneedling Infusion Stamp, but $59 will get you the same thing called TokStick from Korea made by the same parent company, Beuon. They sell this cute version without ampules for $59 so you are able to infuse your skin with serums of your choice or get the device plus a set of four serum ampules for $89.

What may my results be like at home versus professional treatment mixing Botox in the serum? While some aestheticians are now doing a microinfusion facial with a mix of different serums, most microinfusion facials are done by medical professionals because they mix Botox and Filler into the vile. Home results are going to be closer to using a microneedle product like Banish ($69 for microneedle) since you won’t even get to add in Botox of Filler in your mix! Since you aren’t able to actually infuse a mixture into your skin at home that’s similar to what a doctor would use with Vitamin C, glutathione, hyaluronic acid filler, and Botox, the real magic is coming from having tiny needles stamping into the skin which stimulates your own natural collagen production.

I can’t use Botox at home so what are some options to needle with? One suggestion you could use at home that’s a steal at $23 and easily accessed at a Drug Store is this dermatologist-grade, oil-free serum from Vichy with 15% vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Expect it to reduce fine lines, firm skin, even skin tone with continued use. I get a lot of products free since I work with many skincare brands or dermatologists that gift me products, but as an insider tip, I love this brightening serum with kojic acid, hyaluronic acid, and licorice root that you can order a sample of from Pravada Private Label for $4. If you love it enough to start your own skincare line, you can private label it from then at minimums as low as 12 units around $10 each under your own ‘brand,’

Germaphobe update. There is a $16 version of Aquagold sold on Amazon (Hydra Micro 20) that I know some clinics have purchased to do their microinfusion treatments since they can purchase it far cheaper than Aquagold’s wholesale price. After testing it, this one is now hands down the winner for me. At $16, I can economically replace the device after each treatment just like a doctor would which would be a better option for anyone who is now a germaphobe post-COVID and not wanting to risk infection because they are reusing needles. In clinics, the Aquagold device is never saved for reuse. You always get a fresh one with each treatment.

Does it hurt?! You ARE poking your face with needles. Everyone has a different threshold for pain, but since you are not using anything to numb your face like a doctor would, it’s not pleasant. As a tip, remember you are going to tap lightly. The needles do all the work for you so don’t press hard.

So what should you expect after a treatment at home? If you do this at home, I would recommend this as an evening ritual after you’ve cleaned your face and then started stamping in a serum. In the morning, you’'ll rinse your face off with a gentle cleanser. Since microinfusion can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, while I recommend sun protection EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE, be sure not to “forget” in the days following this treatment.

So what do you think of this treatment? Would you give this a try at home?

How to use microneedling infusion stamp