Microneedling is a popular cosmetic procedure for women and men looking to enhance their beauty through their body’s natural response to puncturing the skin. During a microneedling procedure (formally known as collagen induction therapy), sterilized needles create microscopic wounds in your skin. This triggers your body’s natural healing process which treats your skin through production of collagen and elastin, which promotes healthy skin and keeps it soft and youthful-looking.
But what exactly is the best choice for a microneedling pen today? It all depends on the results you’re trying to achieve and what your preferences are. That’s why it’s important to know all the microneedling options you have on the market and take in all the factors to decide which best suits your situation.
In-Office Microneedling vs. At-Home Microneedling
In the past, microneedling was performed by dermatologists, professional aestheticians, nurses, and other medical practitioners. Today, microneedling products are available in beauty stores or online for everyday people to use at home. But which one is the better option?
Through in-office microneedling, you’ll have the advantage of having professional microneedling done to your skin. If you haven’t had microneedling done before, we recommend getting your first time done by a professional. This can help you experience the process and get used to the puncturing feeling. Once you’ve gotten used to the feeling of microneedling, you can start considering doing it at home.
At-home microneedling, on the other hand, means buying your own microneedling tool (either a microneedling pen or a derma roller) and then doing the procedure on yourself in the comfort of your own home. While it’s not recommended for procedures that require deeper punctures from longer needles, it’s the more convenient and practical solution for those who need microneedling more frequently for a less invasive procedure.
Pros and Cons of In-Office Microneedling vs. At-Home Microneedling
| In-Office Microneedling | At-Home Microneedling |
| Pros | |
| Handled by professionals. Aestheticians, nurses, and dermatologists understand how to use microneedling tools and factors like which microneedling pen is best or which of the available needle depths works best for your skin concern. You don’t have to worry about any of these as professionals will handle all the logistics for you. Understand the best course of action. There are a lot of online resources that can help you learn at-home microneedling, but not all types of skin are alike. A doctor can understand your skin physiology and other skin conditions you might have, and can tell which type of microneedling can provide you with the best outcome. Lower infection risk. Aesthetic practices and clinics are sterile and have effective disinfecting protocols. This can lower the risk of infection while microneedling compared to the everyday environment of your home. Deeper microneedling puncturing. For skin concerns like stretch marks, loose skin, and facial lines that require needle lengths upwards of 2 millimeters, it’s highly recommended that you have your microneedling done in-office. Longer needles are more likely to draw blood as it punctures into the skin barrier of the deeper layers. Can provide after-care recommendations. After microneedling, it’s recommended that you continue your regular skincare routine without the active ingredients that can sting your sensitive skin. Having your microneedling treatment by a professional means having someone who can recommend professional-grade skin care products you can use to make the most out of your newly-microneedled skin. | Can be more practical for frequent microneedling treatments. More intense microneedling sessions for concerns like uneven skin tone, deep acne scars, or age spots require longer needles, which is why it’s recommended that sessions with longer needles be spread up to six weeks apart. For less invasive microneedling procedures that can be done every other day or a few times a week, it may be more practical to invest in a microneedling tool and doing it yourself. Cost-effective skin rejuvenation. Many people who use microneedling do so to get rid of dull skin and dead skin cells and replace it with newer skin cells. This requires the smallest needle length, which can be safe to use at home under the right conditions. If your goal is simply exfoliation or better skincare product absorption, investing in microneedling products might be more cost-effective than scheduling microneedling sessions multiple times per week. Purchasing the unit and additional disposable needles can provide more sessions for less. Integrate into your skincare routine. After an at-home microneedling session, users can wash their face with water and then proceed with their usual skincare routine, sans the chemical exfoliants and products with active ingredients. Applying skin treatment products immediately after microneedling can help these products penetrate the skin better and lead to better results. Go at your own pace. Those with low pain tolerance may be uncomfortable with the levels of speed that aestheticians go during their appointment. On your own, you do not have to feel rushed and proceed with the microneedling at your own pace. Less aggressive treatment. In-office treatment is much more aggressive and generally uses longer needles. For less invasive microneedling, at-home sessions will suffice as long as you’re performing the microneedling in a clean area. |
| Cons | |
| More expensive in the long run. One in-office microneedling session costs around $200 to $700, depending on the invasiveness and skin concern you’re trying to address. This may be a costly option for addressing minor problem areas compared to other at-home microneedling tools like microneedling pens and derma rollers. In comparison, beginners can find microneedling tools for as low as $20, while more advanced users will want to invest in more sophisticated models upwards of $100. May be difficult to set appointments. Depending on how busy your local aesthetic clinic or practice may be, it can be difficult to find time to constantly go out to undergo microneedling sessions. This can affect the results of your treatment, since microneedling should be done consistently. | Less visible results as in-office sessions. At-home microneedling sessions are recommended for more minor effects, so they don’t produce the same results as in-clinic treatments that use longer needles. Risk of infection. At-home microneedling should be done in a clean location. Tools must also be sterilized to reduce infection. |
While both have their own advantages, there’s a general rule of thumb when choosing between the two. If you’re simply looking to exfoliate by shedding dead skin cells and improve skincare product absorption, at-home microneedling will suffice. But if you’re looking for dramatic changes to your skin with problem areas like deep wrinkles, frown lines, acne scars, age spots, stretch marks and more, the added cost of in-office microneedling is necessary.
Microneedling Pen vs. Derma Roller
For those interested in at-home microneedling, you have two microneedling devices to choose from: microneedling pens or derma pens similar to the ones used by most aesthetic clinics, and microneedling rollers more commonly known as derma rollers.
Microneedling pens are electric or battery-powered units that hold cartridges of stainless steel needles available in different sizes. Each unit can also adjust the length of the needle heads that punctures the skin. When powered, these pens spring the cartridge back and forth to puncture the skin. Users have to position the pen around certain areas of their face, and can toggle a button or adjustable dial to adjust the speed level of how fast the adjustable needles spring. After the microneedling session, the unit will have to be sterilized before storage to remove the remaining skin tissues. Reusable cartridges should be sterilized and stored while disposable cartridges can be thrown away.
Derma rollers, on the other hand, are manually operated and do not require electricity or batteries. It is a cylinder with needles on its surface connected to a rolling handle that is used to repeatedly roll over the skin. After microneedling, the entire roller will have to be sterilized before storing it away.
You can buy either microneedling device online or in cosmetics stores. These two have their own advantages, namely:
| Microneedling Pen | Derma Roller |
| Smaller punctures. When used properly, the thin needles of a microneedling pen leaves a straight puncture down to the skin. This provides more precision and smaller punctures than derma rollers, which prick the skin barrier at an angle and can create larger puncture holes when rolled. Versatile units. Microneedling pens can hold any cartridge type (nano cartridges, 12- and 36-pin needles) and can adjust the needle sizes. This can provide the user with different levels of penetration appropriate for what result they are trying to achieve. Quicker treatment. Microneedling pens have motors that allow the user to create microscopic puncture holes at fast speeds. In contrast, derma rollers need to be rolled multiple times over sections to achieve the same results. | Most affordable microneedling option. Between in-office microneedling sessions, using a microneedling pen, and using a derma roller, derma rollers are the most affordable option. You can find derma rollers online for around $20. In contrast, professional-grade microneedling pens can reach upwards of $100, while in-office sessions start at $200. More popular with older consumers. Although microneedling has become more popular only recently, the use of microneedling can be traced back to 1905. Because of this, older adults who practice microneedling prefer manual rolling. |
Why Microneedling Pens Are Better Than Derma Rollers
While plenty of people are using derma rollers as an affordable basic option, we recommend going for microneedling pens as it offers more benefits to at-home users. Despite its price, even beginners may find that microneedling pens have much more to offer those looking to benefit from the effects of microneedling sessions.
- Microneedling pens offer versatility. Derma rollers come with one cylindrical roller with one needle length. This makes it impossible to shorten or lengthen the needle length for other skin concerns that require deeper needle penetration. Microneedling pens, on the other hand, can adjust in cartridge size between nano, 12, and 36-pin needles as well as the length of the pins that puncture the skin. Beginners can start on smaller pins with the shortest needle length for superficial skin problems and then gradually make their way up to bigger cartridges with longer needle lengths – all with one tool.
- Mirconeedling pens puncture the skin straight down. When used correctly, a microneedling pen should be perpendicular to the skin it punctures. These punctures go straight down the outer layer into the middle and inner layer of the skin, reducing the pain (especially for those with sensitive skin) and minimizing potential scarring while also making the absorption of skincare products more efficient when applied to the area. Rollers, on the other hand, may appear straight on the cylinder. But when rolled, it punctures the skin surface at an angle, drags the skin forward, and leaves at another angle. Depending on your skin type and skin condition, this can create larger wounds susceptible to skin trauma, which can lead to the appearance of scars.
- Microneedling pens have thinner, sharper needles. Microneedling pens come with thin, sharp stainless steel needles (or titanium, for higher-end units with multiple-use cartridges). This means less skin trauma when the needles puncture your skin. In comparison, rollers have shorter and duller needles.
Find the Best Microneedling Pen at FACE Med Store
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Dr. Pen A9 Replacement Needles – Bag of 10- 18 Pin Needles -
Dr. Pen A9 Ultima Pro Microneedling Pen Plus 5-HA Serum and 10 EGF Masks
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TinySoft – NanoSoft Microneedles – 34g – 3 pin – box of 30
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Dermapen with Automatic Serum Infusion
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DermaPen Replacement Kit bundled with HA Serum
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Dermapen with Automatic Serum Infusion Bundle Pack
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Dermapen Replacement Tips – 10 Pack
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Dr. Pen A6 replacements needles – 12 pin – 10 Pack
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Dr. Pen A7 Microneedling Pen with 10 12-pin needles
Microneedling pens are a good beauty tool to invest in for naturally healthier skin. After trying out a few microneedling sessions at your local aesthetic practice or clinic for more major concerns like acne scars and deep wrinkles, see if you’d like to continue the practice in the comfort of your own home to help exfoliate dead skin cells for softer skin and provide better penetration for your skin care products.
At the FACE Med Store, we offer affordable microneedling devices and supplies that are designed for quality and performance, such as our Dr. Pen A7 Microneedling Pen With 10 Needles. We provide professional-grade cosmetics and skin tools and supplies at a fraction of the average cost, promoting health, beauty, and wellness for everyone who wants to explore alternative options from the more expensive outlets online.
Visit our online store today for microneedling tools and other cosmetic products and supplies.
Give your patients the best microneedling experience with supplies found at FACE Med Store. Shop for your supplies today.
