Microneedling Cost And Benefits

August 1, 2020

Updated: December 17, 2021

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How Does Microneedling Work?

As the name implies, microneedling involves the use of tiny needles to create microscopic tears² in the epidermis, the top layer of your skin. Causing minor damage to the epidermis in this fashion actually stimulates the body to start a healing process. As part of that healing process, skin cells produce new collagen and elastin, the strong, flexible proteins that keep your skin firm and elastic. Microneedling jumpstarts this process and through this process, your skin appears rejuvenated as the epidermis heals.³

In the history of skin care, harsh methods such as laser resurfacing or dermabrasion⁴ were promising procedures for significant scarring but notoriously carried risks such as discoloration and inflammation³. The healing time was also lengthy. Less invasive procedures like microneedling deliver some of the same results as former techniques while being safer and simpler to perform. Treatment takes place over the course of a few sessions at a clinic or at home, as opposed to one major inpatient procedure.

Cost:

Microneedling Facial at Spa $200 per treatment(we paid $200)

Microneedling Facial at Medical office with Radiofrequency$500-$600 per treatment
(we paid $600, but were offered discounts if we bought a package. 4 treatments will give you notable results, where one treatment is like a nice pick me up.)

Microneedling Facial at Medical office with PRP $650-$1,200 per treatment

Home Use Microneedling Devices

Today, several types of microneedling devices have been approved for over-the-counter use at home by the FDA. These devices have smaller needles than those used by spas or clinics. Because of this, at-home microneedling doesn’t have as harsh side effects as clinical procedures (like stinging and redness).

Home-use microneedlers provide the ability to microneedle whenever you want, as often as you want. For the best results, most dermatologists recommend microneedling three times per week. If desired, you can even use a dermaroller once a day or more without harmful effects. After about 100 uses, you will need to replace the head of your device.⁴

Derma Roller for Face and body - .25mm Microneedle Kit by RegenaGlow

Dermapens

The dermapen is a marketed microneedling device that is best described as a piercing gun that delivers pulsating stamps onto the skin. Unlike other types of microneedling devices, dermapens have an electronic component that moves the needles up and down in pulses. The pulses purposefully spring against the skin at alternating heights to create a series of microchannels. These microchannels aid the release of growth factors and pro-inflammatory signals. These signaling molecules recruit cells from the immune system to clean the area of pathogens and debris. Skin cells are also triggered to begin secreting new structural proteins, such as collagen and elastin.³

Cost: Microneedling Dermapens cost $150.
(Results will be much less than a procedure in a medical office, but much better than a dermaroller.)

Dermarollers

Dermarollers may be less intimidating for new users than the dermapen. Both the dermapen and the dermaroller induce wound-healing and collagen production but vary by their delivery of induced injury^2,3,5. Dermarollers are multi-needled, handheld roller devices⁴ that host rows of tiny needles from 0.1 to 1.0mm in length¹. These needles are medical-grade, solid steel, and just the right length for puncturing the epidermis without causing harm to underlying tissues.^1,3

Cost: Dermarollers for microneedling cost under $20.
(Results will be much less than a procedure in a medical office, but with frequency you can acheive results.)

Derma Roller Kit for Face 0.30mm by Linduray

Derma Stamps

Derma stamps are very similar to dermarollers, but have a much smaller surface area. They are used for focusing on small target areas without having to cover a whole patch of skin, saving time. Rather than rolling, you gently press the tip of the stamp into your skin, then lift up. It is useful for reducing small blemishes such as varicella (chicken pox) scars, acne scars, and age spots.¹

Cost: Dermastamps for microneedling cost $25.(Results will be much less than a procedure in a medical office.)

REFERENCES

[1] Singh A, Yadav S. Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(4):244-254.

(see more References)

[2] Lewis W. Is microneedling really the next big thing? Wendy Lewis explores the buzz surrounding skin needling. Plastic Surgery Practice. 2014;(7):24-28.

[3] Maeliosa TC, McAlister E, Courtenay AJ, Gonzalez-Vazquez P, Singh TR, Donnelly RF. Microneedle applications for improving skin appearance. Exp Dermatol. 2015;24:561-566.

[4] Nair PA, Badri T. 2017. “Microneedling.” StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459344/

[5] Prowal S, Chahar YS, Singh PK. A comparative study of combined dermaroller and platelet-rich plasma versus dermaroller alone in acne scars and assessment of the quality of life before and after treatment. Indian J Dermatol. 2018;63(5):403-408.