How deep should I go for microneedling?

Author: Al Homenick  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 26, 2025

If you have no major skin problems and wish to improve skin texture and pores, we recommend a depth of 0.5 to 1.0 mm, which allows us to approach the epidermis. The skin has a barrier function, which limits the penetration of active ingredients by simply applying the drug.

Is it better to go deeper with microneedling?

Success with MCN is truly based on what you are trying to fix. Depth of needling is very important because your collagen and elastin are formed in your dermis and if your needles are not getting to that depth you are not maximally stimulating their formation. Acne scarring needs deeper needling to >2mm.

What happens if you microneedle too deep?

Yes, you need to be careful with the depth of treatment with RF microneedling. If you treat 'too deep' you can theoretically break down fat.

What depth pen for microneedling?

Microneedling on the body:

Regarding needle depth, we recommend using 0.5mm for legs and up to 1.5mm for fattier areas of the body.

Which is better, 16 or 36 needle microneedling?

Cartridges with 11-16 pins are best suited for targeted applications. Size 36-42 pins are best for larger surface areas and more sensitive skin.

SMOOTH OPERATOR: CHOOSING THE CORRECT NEEDLE DEPTHS

Can I use 36 pin microneedling on my face?

The 12 pin is recommended for the face, while the 36 pin is more suitable for body. The nano cartridge can be used regularly for improved serum absorption (scroll down to learn more about nano-needling). What are the differences between the 12 pin, 16 pin, 36 pin and nano-needle cartridges?

What is the optimal microneedling depth?

For treating acne and other scars as a routine, a needle length of 1.5–2 mm is usually used. When microneedling is used as a procedure to treat ageing skin and wrinkles, the needle length of 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm is usually recommended.

How often can I microneedle my face?

The recommended amount of time to wait between microneedling treatments varies depending on several factors, including the specific treatment, the depth of the needles used, your skin concerns, and your skin type. With more mild treatments, you will want to wait four to six weeks between sessions.

Is 2.5 too deep for microneedling?

The correct depth for microneedling stretchmarks is 1.5mm-2.5mm. It's recommended to start with a 1.5mm depth for 3-4 sessions before considering a larger size. Deep dark stretch marks usually take 3-5 sessions of a 2mm+ needle depth to see results.

How deep can an esthetician go with microneedling?

It is most often performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. In California, aestheticians cannot penetrate the skin and should not perform microneedling.

Can you overdo micro needling?

Overdoing microneedling can lead to several negative consequences for your skin, including: Persistent Redness and Irritation: Microneedling too frequently can cause continuous redness, irritation, and inflammation, as the skin doesn't get enough time to heal properly between treatments.

How hard do you press when microneedling?

Use a light, even pressure. If you have some loose skin, you may need to hold this area taut also.

How do you maximize microneedling results?

Microneedling Aftercare Tips
  1. Boosting progress with supplements.
  2. Avoiding intense activities.
  3. Staying out of hot showers and baths.
  4. Letting the skin rest before further treatments.
  5. Not wearing makeup.
  6. Protecting your skin from the sun.
  7. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol.

Do you look younger after microneedling?

If done perfectly, microneedling can make you look younger. The skin tends to become less tight and firm. As you age, the amount of collagen goes on decreasing. But collagen is the most crucial protein required in humans and animals.

Can microneedling go wrong?

Skin damage is a risk that commonly occurs with microneedling devices. The damage may include bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching and peeling, and these typically go away without any treatment after a few days or weeks.

What is the average price of a microneedling session?

The average cost of microneedling in the US is about $640 per session, according to over 300 patient experiences on RealSelf. This can vary between $300 to $700, however, depending on: Your location: Prices may be higher in major cities or upscale clinics.

How long do microneedling results last?

In general, you can expect the results of SkinPen microneedling to last for four to six weeks. The longevity of these results can be attributed to the length of your natural cellular turnover cycle, as well as how long newly produced collagen can last in the skin.

Can you microneedle your lips?

In lip microneedling, hyaluronic acid is applied to the lips and is followed by microneedling, supposedly to help HA penetrate the dermal layer. In reality, because of the thinness of lip tissue, micro-wounds must be kept shallow, too shallow to elicit collagen formation or deliver HA to deep lip tissue.

Is it better to microneedle in the morning or at night?

Myth: sun is the enemy of microneedling!

This is why we'd never recommend microneedling during the day. To keep your skin happy and healthy, always microneedle in the evening – this means your skin has the whole night to restore itself, and you can wake up to sensational skin.

What numbing cream is good for microneedling?

Lidocaine, Prilocaine & Epinephrine Numbing Cream

Each tube contains the active numbing ingredients lidocaine, prilocaine, and epinephrine. Once the anesthetic is applied on clean and dry skin it can provide effective anesthesia for microneedling as early as 15 minutes after application.

Does microneedling make skin age faster?

Prevents Signs of Aging: Microneedling is highly effective in stopping early signs of aging or preventing new wrinkles from forming. Improves Skin Tone: Microneedling breaks apart the pigmentation on the skin caused by age, sun exposure, and damage for a more even skin tone.

Is 2.5 mm too deep for microneedling?

A depth of 2.5 to 3.0 mm with the dermal layer is recommended for stretch marks.

Does microneedling tighten skin?

Providing more dramatic results than microneedling on its own, RF microneedling has been shown by researchers to be effective in tightening the skin on various body parts, including the face, neck, chest, arms, and stomach.

What do you put on your face after microneedling?

What to Put On Your Skin After Microneedling
  1. Avoid harsh scrubs or products.
  2. Only clean your skin with a professionally formulated cleanser.
  3. Apply targeted skincare serums that will penetrate deeply into your skin.
  4. Keep your skin well-hydrated with a gentle moisturizer.
  5. Apply medical-grade sun protection.

Previous article
How long does retinol acne purge last?
Next article
What moisturizer goes well with tretinoin?