What depth is medical microneedling?

Author: Lila O'Keefe II  |  Last update: Thursday, June 5, 2025

Medical Needling Microneedling depths range from 0.5mm up to 3mm. Medical needling creates more significant microchannels thanks to the deeper needle penetration. This causes your body to release myofibroblasts (little skin cell ambulances) to heal the 'wounds'.

How deep does medical microneedling go?

At-home microneedling devices also only superficially affect the skin—they penetrate just its outer layer (the stratum corneum or epidermis), reaching 0.25 mm deep. Professional devices can go deeper (2 mm to 3 mm deep), reaching not only the epidermis but also the dermis, a deeper layer of skin.

What is the difference between microneedling and medical microneedling?

The two categories are cosmetic and medical microneedling. Cosmetic microneedling is a depth of 0.3mm or less where as medical is anything above that depth.

Which microneedling depth is best?

20-. 30 is actually deep enough to give you excellent results when done consistently, and long term may work better than deeper depths. Many experts say this is enough. This is called COSMETIC needling and is for product absorption and collagen induction. It can even be done daily. Deeper isn't always better!

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.

Microneedling: 5 Tips You MUST Know BEFORE & AFTER | Doctorly + Esthetician

What happens if you microneedle too deep?

Improper Technique: Applying excessive pressure or using incorrect needle depth can lead to skin trauma, scarring, and permanent damage. Infection Risks: Poor hygiene practices, unsterile equipment, or microneedling over active lesions increase the chances of bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.

How deep can estheticians do microneedling?

In California, aestheticians cannot penetrate the skin and should not perform microneedling. This can also be done at home, but products available likely do not go as deep into the skin's surface as those done by a professional.

How often should I microneedle my face?

Most people need multiple microneedling treatments, usually about 3 weeks to 8 weeks apart. It can take 3 months to 6 months to see results. Afterward, you might need the procedure once a year for maintenance.

Is 1.5 mm too deep for microneedling?

For the important long-term benefits of microneedling to be achieved it's vital that the dermis is affected. Some beauty therapists offer microneedling but they aren't allowed to needle beyond 1.5mm deep. In some areas a 1.5mm needle will not reach the dermis and so will have no effect on it.

Is microneedling deeper than a tattoo?

Unlike a tattoo artist, your esthetician or dermatologist will use a microneedling pen or device to slightly penetrate the top layer of your skin. It will cause your skin to react by swelling slightly. The micro-fine needles also cause your skin to produce collagen and elastin.

What is considered medical grade microneedling?

Medical Microneedling – Medical needling uses adjustable, sterile needles to stimulate the dermis, your skin's deepest layer. The tools used in medical microneedling can only be used by a qualified medical professional.

Is there anything better than microneedling?

Both microneedling and chemical peels can help to rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, however, for deeper wrinkles, Dr. Green may recommend adding Botox or dermal fillers to your treatment plan.

What is the best FDA approved microneedling device?

The best FDA-approved microneedling device is the SkinPen. It's cleared for safety and effectiveness in enhancing skin texture and promoting collagen production, ensuring a reliable and beneficial treatment for your skincare needs.

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.

What is the depth of the Dr Pen microneedling?

Microneedling on the body:

Ensure only to use 36-42 pin cartridges for microneedling the body and take precaution not to use any active ingredients (such as acids or retinoids) after microneedling. Regarding needle depth, we recommend using 0.5mm for legs and up to 1.5mm for fattier areas of the body.

How long does medical microneedling last?

Sometimes, microneedling results are permanent. However, they don't always last a lifetime. Sometimes, the results only last for four to six months. We can give you a better idea of how long you can expect your final results to last once we have discussed your cosmetic concerns thoroughly and evaluated them.

How deep is medical microneedling?

Microneedling depths range from 0.5mm up to 3mm. Medical needling creates more significant microchannels thanks to the deeper needle penetration. This causes your body to release myofibroblasts (little skin cell ambulances) to heal the 'wounds'.

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.

Can I microneedle my 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.

Can you overdo microneedling?

Even though microneedling benefits the skin, overdoing it can cause serious risks, including skin irritation, redness, and inflammation, leading to discomfort. Overdoing treatments or not allowing ample time between sessions can lead to scarring and even hyperpigmentation.

Is microneedling better than Botox?

As stand-alone treatments, these are both fantastic in their own ways. Botox will provide good visual results on the skin, as the area will look and feel smoother – although for firmer, plumper, healthy-looking skin, microneedling wins, hands-down.

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 happens if you go too deep microneedling?

Attempting to improve your scars with microneedling at home may cause more harm than good to your skin. Puncturing too deep can result in rupture of capillaries.

Is Dr Pen as good as SkinPen?

When it comes to choosing between SkinPen and Dermapen, SkinPen is the clear winner. Not only does it offer superior precision and safety, but shorter treatment times make it more convenient for busy patients. In addition, SkinPen's technology provides a more even distribution of needles across the skin.

What is the best depth for microneedling for wrinkles?

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.

Previous article
What are the side effects of coconut oil on the skin?
Next article
What is the heaviest squat of all time?