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Aesthetic dermatology · London

Microneedling in London, in a CQC-registered clinic.

Percutaneous collagen induction - controlled micro-injuries that stimulate fresh collagen and elastin - done properly. Dermapen, SkinPen or radiofrequency microneedling (Morpheus8, Sylfirm X), never in a beauty salon back room.

See indicative pricing
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Indicative pricing

What microneedling costs in a London medical clinic.

Indicative ranges across UK CQC-registered clinics.

In short

£400–£950, results building over three to six months.

Treatment Indicative range
Dermapen / SkinPen - single session £150–£350
Dermapen / SkinPen - course of 3 £400–£950
RF microneedling (Morpheus8, Sylfirm X) - single £400–£800
RF microneedling - course of 3–4 £1,200–£2,800
Microneedling + PRP (vampire facial) - add-on £250–£500 extra
Consultation only £100–£250

Prices vary by clinic, by device (pen vs radiofrequency), by area treated, and by whether PRP or a growth-factor serum is added.

The problem

The right device, the right depth, the right setting.

Microneedling is one of the most oversold and underregulated treatments in UK aesthetics. Home rollers do very little; salon needling with cheap serums has caused granulomas. We steer you to the medical version, at the right depth, for the right concern.

  • Not sure it will help?

    For deeper acne scarring RF microneedling or laser may work harder. For fine lines a course of pen microneedling is often enough. We say which fits.

  • Worried about downtime?

    24–72 hours of redness for a pen; three to five days for RF. Realistic, planned around your diary, not glossed over.

  • Want it done safely?

    CQC-registered clinic, sterile single-use cartridges, medical-grade topicals - never cheap serums pushed into freshly needled skin.

When it helps

When microneedling is the right step.

The concerns we see most, plus the situations where microneedling is not the right treatment right now.

  • Fine lines and early ageing

    Crêpey texture, early perioral and periorbital lines, loss of glow - collagen and elastin remodelling over a course.

  • Enlarged pores and texture

    Rough, uneven skin surface and visible pores respond well to a course of pen or RF microneedling.

  • Acne scarring

    Rolling, boxcar and mild ice-pick scars. See our dedicated page for the deeper protocol and adjuncts.

  • Traumatic and surgical scars

    Old, mature scars soften and blend after a course - early scars are treated once fully healed.

  • Stretch marks (striae)

    Mature white striae on abdomen, thighs and breasts. RF microneedling has the strongest evidence here.

  • Skin rejuvenation, generally

    Tone, brightness and a subtle firming effect - no filler, no toxin, just controlled remodelling.

  • Androgenetic hair loss (scalp)

    Scalp microneedling combined with minoxidil or PRP is an emerging option for early pattern hair loss.

  • Not for you: active acne, isotretinoin, keloids

    Active inflammatory acne, isotretinoin within 6 months, keloid tendency, active infection or tan - a different plan is needed.

Device options

Roller, pen, radiofrequency - and PRP on top.

What each device actually does, and which sits best for which concern and which skin type.

  • Manual roller (Dermaroller)

    Hand-rolled needles from 0.5 to 3 mm. Home-use 0.25–0.5 mm rollers exist but have limited effect - real clinical depths belong in a clinic.

  • Motorised pen (Dermapen, SkinPen)

    A motorised pen with disposable multi-needle cartridges. Adjustable 0.25–3 mm depth, precise, controlled, less discomfort than a roller.

  • RF microneedling - Morpheus8

    Needles deliver radiofrequency energy at depth for combined dermal and subdermal remodelling. Popular for lower-face laxity and jawline.

  • RF microneedling - Sylfirm X

    Pulsed-wave RF at adjustable depth. Often chosen for melasma, redness and rosacea alongside remodelling.

  • RF microneedling - Genius / INTRAcel

    Insulated-needle RF platforms. Deeper effect than plain microneedling, safer than fractional laser on darker Fitzpatrick skin.

  • Microneedling + PRP (vampire facial)

    Platelet-rich plasma from your own blood applied post-treatment. An add-on for enhanced healing and glow - evidence emerging.

  • Microneedling + growth factors

    Medical-grade growth-factor serums applied straight after treatment, when absorption is at its peak.

  • Scalp microneedling for hair loss

    Shorter needles across the scalp, usually combined with topical minoxidil or PRP for early androgenetic alopecia.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Microneedling is safe in the right hands. The things worth planning are your device choice, the downtime window, and the post-care that avoids pigment problems and granulomas.

  • Redness and swelling for 24–72 h

    Expected. Skin looks pink to red, feels warm and tight, then settles. Light flaking follows for 3 to 7 days.

  • Pinpoint bleeding during the session

    Also expected - a controlled micro-injury is the mechanism. Bruising is rare unless you are on blood-thinners.

  • Strict sun protection for 4–6 weeks

    SPF 50 daily and hats. New collagen is vulnerable to UV and to post-inflammatory pigmentation.

  • No makeup for 24 h, no sweating for 24 h

    Skip the gym, sauna and heavy makeup for the first day. Gentle cleanser and hydrator only. No exfoliants for a week.

  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk

    Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin has a higher PIH risk. Choice of device, depth and post-care needs to reflect that.

  • HSV reactivation and aciclovir cover

    If you get cold sores, tell the clinic - a short course of aciclovir before and after prevents a facial outbreak.

  • Granuloma risk from wrong topicals

    Cheap, non-sterile serums pushed into freshly needled skin can cause granulomas. Medical-grade topicals only - this is why the beauty-salon route is risky.

  • Tram-track lines and scarring - rare, technique-related

    Aggressive settings or poor technique can leave linear marks or rarely scarring. Trained practitioner, correct depth.

  • Red flags

    Spreading redness, pustules, fever, or a cold-sore-like eruption after treatment - contact the clinic the same day.

Reading your treatment note

Your treatment note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever device was used, the note the clinic sends you keeps to the same shape.

A UK aesthetic doctor reviewing a patient’s microneedling treatment notes

A quiet reminder

The language can read clinically - ask your care team to explain it if anything is unclear.

Ask your care team to explain anything that is unclear.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication, device and depth

    Why you were treated - ageing, texture, scars, striae - and which device and needle depth were used on the day.

  2. 02 Technique

    Areas covered and settings

    Which zones were treated (face, neck, décolletage, scalp, striae), the passes made, and the RF settings if used.

  3. 03 Findings

    Skin response and topicals used

    How your skin reacted, any bruising or pinpoint bleeding, and the medical-grade topical or PRP applied afterwards.

  4. 04 Impression

    Aftercare, next session, expected timeline

    Read this first: what to do for 72 hours, when to book the next session, and when to expect visible results.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Microneedling is almost always self-pay - insurers class it as aesthetic. Some scar-treatment courses after surgery or trauma may be considered.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about microneedling.

Quick answers on pain, cost, downtime, and the difference between a home roller and a real clinical device.

  • What is microneedling and how does it work?

    Microneedling - also called percutaneous collagen induction - uses fine needles to create thousands of controlled micro-injuries in the skin. The healing response stimulates fresh collagen and elastin, which improves texture, fine lines, pores, scars and striae over weeks to months.

  • Dermapen, Morpheus8 or a home roller - what is the difference?

    A home derma-roller (0.25–0.5 mm) is limited to superficial refreshing. Clinical motorised pens (Dermapen, SkinPen) reach real dermal depths for texture and lines. RF microneedling (Morpheus8, Sylfirm X, Genius) adds radiofrequency energy for deeper remodelling and mild skin tightening.

  • Does microneedling hurt?

    Topical anaesthetic cream for 30 to 45 minutes beforehand makes it very manageable. Most patients describe a scratchy or prickly sensation, more noticeable over the forehead and around the mouth. RF microneedling adds a warm feeling.

  • How much does microneedling cost in the UK?

    A single pen session (Dermapen, SkinPen) is roughly £150–£350; a course of three £400–£950. RF microneedling is £400–£800 per session, with courses of three to four typically £1,200–£2,800. PRP as an add-on is £250–£500 per session.

  • How many sessions do I need?

    Most people need three to six sessions, four to six weeks apart, then one to two maintenance sessions a year. Deeper acne scarring or striae usually sit at the higher end of that range and may need RF.

  • What is the downtime?

    Pen microneedling: redness and mild swelling for 24 to 72 hours, then light flaking for 3 to 7 days. RF microneedling: similar but often three to five days of visible downtime with tiny grid marks that fade.

  • Is microneedling safe for darker (Fitzpatrick IV–VI) skin?

    Yes, and it is often a safer choice than fractional laser for darker skin because it does not deliver light energy. Insulated-needle RF platforms (Genius, Morpheus8, Sylfirm X) are particularly suited. Post-inflammatory pigmentation is still a real risk and depth and post-care need to reflect that.

  • Why should I avoid beauty-salon microneedling?

    Two reasons. First, the training and device standards are variable. Second - and this is the real one - non-medical serums applied to freshly needled skin have caused granulomas and long-term reactions. A CQC-registered clinic with sterile cartridges and medical-grade topicals is the honest floor.

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