As a society we are constantly looking for ways to look, feel and even act younger. From nasal sprays filled with stem cells to useless supplements to various injections, there are almost endless ways to attempt to keep your body as close to your 20s as is possible for as long as you can.

Most of them, of course, don’t work.

One of the popular ways to try to embrace eternal youth is microneedling. The practice consists of taking tiny needles and sticking them into your skin, mostly on the face but sometimes elsewhere on your body. If you believe the wellness entrepreneurs, these tiny needles will not only cause mild discomfort, and often a rash, but rejuvenate your skin and cause you to both look and feel younger. It’s not quite a miracle cure but if you believe the stories it could be the one trick to looking like a 45-year-old when you’re really in your early 50s.

But is stabbing yourself really based on science? Well, the basic idea isn’t completely far-fetched. Associate professor Deshan Sebaratnam, dermatologist at the Skin Hospital, notes that “the controlled damage can trigger remodelling and leads to improvements in mild skin problems like acne scarring or fine lines”. We’ve known for........

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