SkinPen Microneedling: What It Really Does for Skin (And Why Technique Matters)

MMicroneedling is everywhere in aesthetics. But not all microneedling is equal, and not all skin responds the same way.

At Face for Soul, we use SkinPen, not because it is trendy, but because it is the most clinically studied, regulated, and predictable microneedling device available in medical aesthetics today.

This matters more than most people realise.

What is SkinPen microneedling?

• Acne-prone skin
• Post-inflammatory pigmentation
• Early laxity
• Patients who cannot tolerate lasers

SkinPen is a medical-grade, FDA-cleared microneedling device designed to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These micro-channels stimulate the body’s own wound-healing cascade, triggering collagen and elastin production without adding heat, chemicals, or energy.

In simple terms, SkinPen does not force change.
It guides the skin to regenerate itself.

This is why it integrates so well with modern regenerative aesthetics and why we often prioritise it over more aggressive technologies, especially in skin that is inflamed, fragile, or already overtreated.

What does the research actually show about SkinPen Microneedling?

SkinPen is one of the most extensively studied microneedling devices on the market.

Published research demonstrates improvements in:

• Acne scarring
• Skin texture and tone
• Fine lines
• Overall dermal collagen density

A key split-face, randomised clinical trial published in Dermatologic Surgery showed statistically significant improvement in acne scarring with microneedling, alongside high patient satisfaction and a strong safety profile.

Relevant research includes:

• Alster & Graham, Dermatologic Surgery – Demonstrated improvement in acne scars with microneedling and minimal downtime
• Fabbrocini et al., Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology – Showed collagen induction and dermal remodelling following microneedling
• Aust et al., Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Early foundational work describing collagen induction therapy and long-term dermal changes

You can explore peer-reviewed literature via:

• PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: https://jcadonline.com
• Dermatologic Surgery Journal: https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery

What matters clinically is not just that collagen increases, but the quality and organisation of that collagen. SkinPen supports structured regeneration rather than chaotic inflammation.

Why SkinPen over other microneedling devices?

I’ve used many microneedling systems throughout my career. Long before SkinPen, I was already changing skin using needling techniques.

I chose SkinPen because:

• It is FDA-cleared, meaning it has undergone years of safety and efficacy evaluation
• It delivers consistent needle depth, which is critical for predictable outcomes
• It causes less unnecessary inflammation, supporting better healing
• It integrates safely with regenerative protocols like PRF, exosomes, and prescription-grade actives

FDA clearance is not a marketing label. For medical devices, it can take 7–10 years of clinical data, trials, and post-market surveillance to achieve. Very few devices in aesthetics meet this threshold.

Is SkinPen Microneedling better than lasers or RF?

This depends on the skin, the indication, and the timing.

Microneedling does not replace all lasers or energy-based devices. But in many patients, especially those with:

• Inflammatory skin conditions
• Post-acne scarring
• Early ageing
• Barrier dysfunction
• History of over-treatment

SkinPen often delivers better long-term skin quality with less downtime.

There is no heat.
No risk of thermal injury.
No pigment disruption when used correctly.

For many skins, especially in the Cotswolds climate where barrier integrity matters, microneedling is a smarter first step.

What SkinPen Microneedling does not do

SkinPen is not a facelift.
It does not replace structural treatments where support is needed.
It is not a one-off fix.

Microneedling works best as part of a planned skin strategy, not as a standalone treatment chased for quick results.

I always tell patients: skin behaves like any other living tissue. It responds to consistency, timing, and respect.

Technique matters more than the device

This is the part that rarely gets discussed online.

Microneedling outcomes depend heavily on:

• Needle depth selection
• Speed and pressure control
• Skin preparation
• Post-treatment signalling
• What you apply during and after treatment

Poorly performed microneedling can worsen inflammation, disrupt lymphatic flow, and compromise the barrier.

Well-performed microneedling strengthens skin over time.

This is why assessment and technique matter just as much as the device itself.

Is SkinPen right for you?

Not everyone needs microneedling.
Not every skin should be treated immediately.
And not every protocol should look the same.

At Face for Soul, SkinPen is used when it makes biological sense, not because it is fashionable.

If you are considering microneedling, a consultation allows us to assess whether SkinPen is appropriate for your skin, and if so, how to integrate it into a longer-term plan that protects your skin rather than pushing it.

Because good skin is not about doing more.
It is about doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way.

Book a consultation in the cotswolds

Face for Soul Medical Aesthetics is a medical aesthetics clinic in Burford, Oxfordshire, caring for patients from the Cotswolds and Cheltenham.

If you would like a proper, unhurried consultation and honest advice about your skin or face, we would be very happy to see you.

All treatments start with a personal consultation and a plan built around you