Dermapen Microneedling

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Sunset Beach, Newport Beach, Redondo Beach, Orange, Dana Point and Orange County

Microneedling

The Dermapen® is a microneedling device for minimally invasive skin rejuvenation. It utilizes short, sterile needle cartridges to administer micro-injuries within the skin, boosting collagen and elastin production. While collagen is essential for overall skin structure and rigidity, elastin serves to provide more skin turgor- the ability of the skin to stretch as needed. Each device tip is equipped with 12 fine needles that can penetrate between 0.25 mm and 2.5 mm into the skin, allowing for a customizable treatment that targets both the epidermis and the deeper dermis layer. With this advanced microneedling facet, the Dermapen® can invoke an increased healing response in both thinner and thicker skin areas of the body. With every microchannel that each needle creates, the dermis responds by creating stronger and more resilient collagen and elastin fibers.

Before and After Photos

Microneedling Before & After Patient #1467
Microneedling Before & After Patient #1467
Microneedling Before & After Patient #475
Microneedling Before & After Patient #475
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The Dermapen is one of the most popular minimally invasive treatments available at DermFx, a leading medispa with 5 locations throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. At our practices, we ensure each patient opts for the best treatment for their specific skincare needs, taking into account their sensitivity, skin type, and the results they are aiming for. To get the high-quality treatment your skin deserves, book your appointment online, or call one of our offices closest to you.

The Development of Microneedling

The science of discovering the cellular regenerative benefits of microneedling goes back over 100 years with the findings of German dermatologist Ernst Kromayer. Dr. Kromayer first developed an exfoliating mechanism in 1905 but soon found out that this same device could eliminate his patients’ unwanted scars and birthmarks– a completely new discovery. Though his handheld device was simple, patients sought out his services for the first-ever microneedling rejuvenation.

Microneedling as a practice began to skyrocket in popularity when Dr. Andre Camirand made another innovative advancement in this field. In 1997, he debuted his microneedling stamp. Dr. Desmond Fernandes took it a step further when he introduced a common household microneedling item, the derma roller– in 2006. (1)  

How Does Microneedling Work? 

Microneedling works because our body responds to injury- no matter how big or small. The key with microneedling-provoked injuries is that the damage is controlled, minimizing side effects and preventing the risk of scarring. These minimal injuries stimulate an increased production of fibroblast cells in the dermis, the very cells responsible for forming collagen and elastin fibers. The mechanical effect of the needles can also serve to re-organize collagen fibers already within the skin, allowing it to break down abnormal scar tissue. By gently stimulating this inflammatory response, you can expect a steady increase in the quality of your skin and a reduction of the following conditions:

  • Lines and Wrinkles 
  • Age Spots/Sunspots 
  • Hyperpigmented Lesions 
  • Enlarged Pores 
  • Acne Scars 
  • Uneven Skin Texture
  • Uneven Skin Tone 

The Dermapen® Difference 

In 2011, the Dermapen® came along, paving the way for industry standards regarding microneedling. It is a motorized device that administers controlled skin micro-injuries with specialized features that uphold safety as a priority. For one, it boasts SurSpace™ technology to maximize efficiency for needle depth control. The device’s elastomeric spring ensures proper retraction and tension of the needle cartridge, cutting down on procedure time and unwanted damage to the skin. The SurVent™ allows the pen to repel serum, blood, and bacteria- important antimicrobial protection for the device that reduces the risk of infection. The patented SafLok™ mechanism prevents the user from reusing a needle cartridge on another person by accident, ensuring that every patient gets a sterile treatment without needing to worry about cross-contamination.

Personal Consultation

By scheduling a consultation with us, you can get a comprehensive evaluation of your skin and how Dermapen microneedling can help you attain the clear skin you desire. During this appointment, we’ll also give you an idea of how many sessions it will take to resolve your unique skin blemishes and imperfections. They will assess whether these issues are deeper within the dermis or more superficial, discussing how the Dermapen can offer a personalized experience that can properly target your problem areas.

To get started today, we recommend reaching out to us for your appointment with our contact form or calling one of our practices in Southern California:

We will highlight the realistic results you can expect from this type of treatment. If you find that Dermapen may not be well-suited for you, we’ll provide you with more information about our other services- like those detailed in our blog.

How To Prepare For Microneedling

To get the most out of your treatment sessions, you will need to ensure your skin remains healthy and undamaged. In the week before your appointment, you should refrain from using exfoliating and other abrasive or harsh skin products. Keeping your skin calm and irritant-free is the goal. Your microneedling specialist will briefly review your medications and supplements and inform you of anything you should stop taking to prevent bleeding during your session. In the 24 hours leading up to your Dermapen session, you should be mindful of staying hydrated to keep your skin well-moisturized.

Procedure Steps

Before applying the device to your skin, your specialist will first cleanse the treatment area and lather a numbing cream. It could take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour for it to fully take effect. Next, your microneedling specialist will apply the Dermapen needle tip directly onto your skin and apply long brush strokes to the treatment area. The device will quickly penetrate and retract from the skin in quick succession several times per second, powered by the carbon-brushed motor. Depending on your needs, the needles will penetrate only into the first layer of skin, the epidermis, or into the second layer, the dermis. The device is designed to only target as deep as 2.5 mm into the skin, causing very minimal, pinpoint bleeding. Because of the topical cream applied at the start of the procedure, many patients find it highly tolerable. Depending on the treatment area, procedure time will vary. Treatments should take no longer than 1 hour.

Alternative Dermapen Treatment Options

Topical Treatments With Microneedling 

Sometimes, we can apply another topical treatment to the skin before microneedling to increase absorption. At DermFx, we can enhance your results by adding serum ampoules, substances with several skin-reviving properties. We have ampoules with acne-fighting qualities, those that promote overall skin moisturization, and others with antioxidant and anti-aging agents.

PRP With Microneedling 

We also offer the highly requested “vampire facial”- a combination treatment that includes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and microneedling. To create the PRP, we will take a sample of your blood and isolate your platelets, small cells with regenerative capabilities that primarily serve to clot and help heal wounds. Platelets are rich in growth factors, substances that have been shown to stimulate cellular regeneration and collagen synthesis- making PRP a scientifically-backed treatment for those seeking to treat old acne scars, mildly lax skin, and wrinkles. (2) Your specialist will apply PRP as a topical serum before they begin the microneedling portion of the procedure.

Recovery and Results

The first few days after your Dermapen session, you may have some minor scabbing, itchiness, minor swelling, and a sensation of tightness and/or warmth. For the most part, you will be able to go back to your normal activities with some accommodations.

Until the irritation subsides, you should avoid applying makeup, using exfoliators, and touching your face without cleaning your hands. You should also avoid sun exposure until you’ve healed adequately. Your specialist may order an antibiotic medication to prevent infection and a topical cream to facilitate better healing and moisturization. After roughly 3 days, you’ll be able to safely go back to the gym and go outside so long as you apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Not only will sunscreen protect your skin, but it will maximize the results of your microneedling treatment plan.

A standard treatment plan consists of about 3 to 5 individual Dermapen sessions, but results may vary depending on your skin needs and if you pair your treatment with ampoules or PRP. All in all, microneedling is a well-studied and highly effective method of skin rejuvenation that doesn’t require much downtime- studies show that microneedling can increase collagen and elastin production by about 400% over the 6 months following a session. (3) 

Cost of Microneedling in Orange County

The cost of your microneedling treatments will depend on your specialist’s recommendations and your cosmetic goals and expectations. Here are our base prices for a Dermapen treatment at DermFx:

Microneedling w/Amp or Kit $400
Microneedling w/o Ampoules $300 
Microneedling w/PRP $600 


During your consultation with your specialist, you will gain a better understanding of the total for your treatments, including your financing options with Cherry. Cherry is a reliable and reputable medical financing company that offers patients affordable payment plans for aesthetic procedures and treatments.

If you’re ready to give your skin the revitalized, youthful transformation you’ve been seeking, book online, or call one of our practices today:

References

  1. Doddaballapur S. Microneedling with dermaroller. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2009;2(2):110. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.58529 
  2. Wang JV, Schoenberg E, Saedi N, Ibrahim O. Platelet-rich Plasma, Collagen Peptides, and Stem Cells for Cutaneous Rejuvenation. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2020;13(1):44-49. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7028374/  
  3. Pająk J, Szepietowski JC, Nowicka D. Prevention of Ageing—The Role of Micro-Needling in Neck and Cleavage Rejuvenation: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(15):9055. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159055