What You Need To Know About Beauty’s Viral Micro-Infusion Kit

Celebrity esthetician and skin expert Shani Darden recently revealed her fondness for the viral, at-home micro-infusion treatment by Qure. As one of the most-respected skin gurus in Hollywood, her clients include stars like Kelly Rowland, Shay Mitchell, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Emmy Rossum. She also launched an eponymous skincare line with multiple award-winning SKUs with celebrity fans like Amanda Seyfried and Paris Jackson, as seen on her social media.

The beauty mogul might have it all—including a beautiful, close-knit family with her husband, two daughters and their pet Labradoodles—but she admits that finding time for self-care is challenging. That's exactly why she loves the "five minute" Micro-Infusion System , $99, which she sometimes squeezes into her schedule in between clients.

Not all beauty trends are worth adopting, but this seems to be one viral skin trend with merit. In addition to the celebrity facialist , other notable skin experts as fans, including well-known dermatologists Dendy Engelman and Muneeb Shah have voiced their approval of the system. Plus, Darden is known for her perennially glowing, hydrated and age-defying skin—and now we know one of her favorite beauty hacks for achieving this.

With at-home skincare treatments and devices on the uptick, Qure was named one of the fastest-growing beauty brands of 2024. Still, a DIY micro-infusion treatment is more invasive than your typical at-home beauty treatment—there are needles involved, even if they are "micro." This brings up several questions about the best practices and safety around at-home micro-infusion treatments, which celebrity esthetician Shani Darden answers below.

What Is A Micro-Infusion Treatment?

First, minimally-invasive micro infusion treatments are nothing new—you've probably already heard of in-office Aquagold or mesotherapy. But what is new is the ability to self-administer the treatment from home with the advice of a leading skincare expert.

Qure's treatment uses tinier-than-hair, 0.5 mm needles made from antimicrobial gold to "stamp" active ingredients into the superficial layers of the skin. The delivery method sends active ingredients into the skin more penetratively than a topical serum, but gently enough that there is no downtime. Results improve with continued use as the treatment is said to stimulate collagen production, but fans typically get hooked on the glow that appears the next day.

Qure currently sells two formulas—one to target hyperpigmentation and melasma, and one for fine lines and wrinkles. The formula for discoloration includes active ingredients such as fibroblast-stimulating epidermal growth factor (EGF), brightening tranexamic acid and Niacinamide. The formula for fine lines and wrinkles contains ultra-hydrating beta glucan (which is more potent than hyaluronic acid), Niacinamide and firming Copper Peptide. The incorporation of Niaciamide is a nice touch for its noted skin barrier- and tone-improving qualities; plus, each formula also incorporates soothing hydrators like Damascus rose water, glycerin and peptides.

How To Complete A Micro-Infusion Treatment

"I think the most important thing is to make sure you're keeping everything sanitary," Darden writes to Forbes.com in an e-mail. "I always do a thorough cleanse first to remove any makeup, product and dirt from the skin. This is really important to not only ensure your et the best results, but to keep everything sanitary."

Darden personally uses two vials of the formula to complete the treatment, whether mid-day in her studio or at-home before bed. Though the needles possess antimicrobial qualities, it is still important not to touch them with your fingers and to avoid contamination whenever possible. When applying the product, Darden recommends stamping with "50% overlap" for optimal surface area. You might want to take your time as you get used to the treatment, but as mentioned, it now takes her five minutes or less.

Post Micro-Infusion Aftercare

Following the treatment, Darden recommends using hydrating serum and a non-comedogenic moisturizer without potentially-irritating actives for two days. "Micro-Infusion increases product absorption, so it's best to focus on hydrating, nourishing ingredients and to skip any actives such as acids for a couple days," she explains. "While there is not much downtime at all, your skin is still working hard behind the scenes to repair and rejuvenate for the best results."

Shani Darden Skin Care sells vegan and cruelty-free options—the Moisture Boost Plumping Treatment , $78 and the Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer , $50—which she personally uses post-treatment. She adds that a hydrating sheet mask can help to boost the effects of the treatment, just "not ones that are active or brightening." Velez by Vesna makes a cooling, gently hydrating bio-cellulose Intense Hydration Face Mask , $30, mask without actives to consider for hydration.

Lastly, the use of an LED face mask can "speed up healing, reduce inflammation [and] add to the collagen-boosting effects." While you might not want to use the face mask if you have melasma, the red and infrared settings are ideal for post-treatment healing—boosting neocollagenesis, helping to fuel your skin cells (and their healing process) with ATP and reducing inflammation to boot.

Pace Yourself

Darden recommends starting out by using the treatment once per month to ensure that your skin responds well to the formula and delivery. "Then you can work up to using it twice per month if your skin can tolerate it," she says. "I [use it] twice a month and I've personally seen great results in minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as overall brightening." (One look above at the 50-year-old facialist and we are inclined to agree!)

It can be tempting to want to see results quickly, but remember that cellular regeneration takes time. Even though the needles are "micro" and it is a minimally-invasive treatment, it is still creating micro-traumas to the skin and Darden is adamant that you should adhere to the treatment guidelines and give your skin time to recover. Remember: when the skin barrier and microbiome are compromised, they are not performing their typical protective functions at their optimal level and it is easier for bacteria and pathogens to create inflammation on the skin.

Post-Treatment Skincare Trends

When it comes to post-treatment skincare, there are also some emerging skin trends to note. For one, there are skin mists containing antimicrobial and antiviral hypochlorous acid, such as Tower 282 S.O.S. Daily Rescue Facial Spray , $28. These can be helpful for keeping the area sterile post-treatment. Similarly, the oxygenating CO2 Lift Carboxy Gel , $100, face mask is another post-treatment favorite among celebrity skin experts for its ability to expedite healing and reduce redness.

While the above products kill off bacteria and microbes—including the anaerobic bacteria that make up the microbiome—microbiome-care has also been shown in studies to help post-treatment skin rebound. By applying select pre- and probiotic skincare, you can help to replenish the biome's beneficial strains. The cult-favorite Biojuve Living Biome Treatment Duo , $225, which deposits a beneficial strain of probiotic, has a clinical trial to show its effects on post-microneedled skin. SIV Skincare , $68, also introduced a serum which optimizes the skin microbiome using "quorum sensing" and is becoming a fast favorite among facialists.

Keep in mind that you should never try a new product on sensitive, post-treatment skin. Only try these if you have already tested the product; and to play it safe, wait a day or two.

Will You Try The At-Home Micro-Infusion Trend?

One of the most common warnings we hear from experts is not to fall victim to rampant social media trends. However, in this instance, it does appear that the trend has legs—so long as you follow the guidelines to ensure that the treatment is administered correctly and you prioritize keeping your skin and tools clean.

Without the on-site supervision of skin expert, it can be easy to want to improvise. But Darden is adamant that you should stick to the guidelines set out by the company and give your skin time to heal in between treatments. As ever, it is important to protect the integrity of the protective skin barrier and maintain the balance of your skin's microbiome.

All that considered, if you are looking for a way to upgrade your at-home skincare regimen, this could be it.

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