What is the difference between 12 and 36 microneedling?

Author: Gerald O'Conner  |  Last update: Saturday, December 27, 2025

12-Needle Cartridges: Often denser and thicker needles to penetrate deeper into the skin and trigger more collagen production, but then they are likely to be slightly painful. 36-Needle Cartridges: They are finer needles to reduce pain and swelling and facilitate treatment for sensitive skin patients.

Is 12 or 36 needles better for microneedling 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 is the 36 pin microneedle used for?

The 36-pin Microneedle Cartridges for Dr. Pen M8S Microneedling Pen cartridge is perfect for treating scarring. Include the 36-Pin Microneedle Cartridges in your microneedling routine for more skin benefits, such as acne scarring.

Which is better 16 or 36 pin 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.

What is the best size for microneedling?

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.

Which microneedling cartridge should you be using? | How to microneedle safely with face mapping

What is the best needle number for microneedling?

The most used facial needle sizes are 0.5mm and 1mm. Both of these sizes are suitable for most areas of the face and can be used for almost any skin issue. Since in-home skin needling began, the robust needle depth of 0.5mm has been the number one selling needle size.

Is deeper microneedling better?

Mistake 1: Deeper Doesn't Equal Better

Using a needle depth of 0.5mm is deep enough to penetrate the dermis and reap all of the benefits microneedling offers. Using a deep 2.5mm needle all over the face isn't necessary, and using a needle all over the face isn't particularly comfortable.

What is 12-pin microneedling?

The 12-pin Microneedle Cartridge is specially designed to be effective in reducing the appearance of texture from acne scarring. The 12-pin Microneedle Cartridge creates microscopic punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen production and help reduce acne scarring concerns.

What is the deepest microneedling for face?

Deep Microneedling (1.0mm – 2.5mm)

More dramatic results: Deeper treatments can yield more significant improvements in skin concerns due to the increased stimulation of collagen and elastin.

What is stronger than microneedling?

Laser treatments can often provide quicker, more dramatic and long lasting results than microneedling treatments. Because lasers deliver heat to the skin we see more side effects (such as temporary darkening or bruising) and longer downtime due to post-treatment swelling and redness.

What is the best pin size for microneedling?

The needle size is crucial for a microneedling facial. I usually recommend 0.5mm to 1mm needles for the face, as this range effectively stimulates collagen production without causing too much discomfort. Shorter 0.25mm needles enhance product absorption but don't reach the dermis to induce collagen.

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.

Can I microneedle my armpits?

This treatment can be used for acne scarring, aging skin, hyperpigmentation, skin tightening. This can be used on the face, neck, décolletage and now the underarm area. Radiofrequency micro needling is also used to destroy sweat glands that contribute to excessive sweating.

Why do you need 3 microneedling sessions?

Patients looking to microneedling to address issues like their uneven skin tone or light facial lines may only need one treatment session to attain the desired results. However, you'll need at least three sessions to induce the best collagen production.

Do I need numbing cream for microneedling?

We recommend using a numbing cream for every session for the most comfortable experience. Can I get microneedling if I am Pregnant? It is not generally recommended, not because it is not safe, but because there is limited research on the procedure during pregnancy.

Should I use 12 or 36 needles for microneedling scalp?

For microneedling on the scalp, it is advised to use a cartridge with more needles: the 24-pin or the 36-pin cartridge. This is to suit the skin of the scalp. For the needle length, it should ideally be between 0.5mm to 1.5mm for scalp treatment.

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.

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.

How many microneedling does it take to see difference?

You can safely book your microneedling treatments every 4 to 6 weeks until you get the results you want. If your goal is scar reduction, you'll likely need 3 to 6 treatments. For collagen induction, 3 treatments is a good starting point. How many treatments you need depends on how your skin responds to microneedling.

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.

Which microneedling is better?

Basically, RF microneedling is the gold-standard version of microneedling. It comes with all the same benefits as traditional microneedling, but with even better results.

Should I use 16 or 36 microneedling?

As a general rule, nano pins are best for increasing product absorption, 11-16 pins are best for targeted applications and 36-42 pins are best for larger and more sensitive areas (such as your neck, upper/inner thighs and underarm).

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.

What happens if you use retinol after microneedling?

Conclusion. Combining retinol with microneedling can be a powerful tool to get youthful skin but using it too close in time can become the cause of redness and irritation on the skin. By knowing when to use retinol after the treatment, you can avoid these skin sensitivity issues.

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