Microneedling RF vs. SkinPen: Which Is Right for You?

Our menu lists two microneedling options at quite different prices: Microneedling RF at $850, and SkinPen microneedling at $450. People reasonably ask what the extra buys.

What both have in common

Both are microneedling. Both use fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, which is the mechanism the treatment relies on. Both are delivered by a trained provider here at the clinic.

What RF adds

Microneedling RF adds radiofrequency energy delivered through the needles themselves. So instead of the mechanical action alone, the treatment also delivers energy into the tissue at depth.

That is the difference, and it is a real one — it is a different device doing a meaningfully different thing, not a premium label on the same service. We deliver our RF treatments on our Estetique platform.

What SkinPen is

SkinPen is a traditional microneedling device — the mechanical action without the radiofrequency component. At $450 it is the more accessible of the two, and for a good number of people it is the appropriate choice.

"Appropriate" is doing real work in that sentence. More technology is not automatically the right answer. Which one suits you depends on your skin, what is concerning you, your history, and how much recovery time you can accommodate.

How to decide

Bring the decision to your consultation. Your provider will look at your skin and ask about:

• What specifically you would like to be different
• Your skin's history, including how it has responded to treatment before
• Any medications or conditions that bear on it
• How much downtime you can realistically take
• Your budget, which is a legitimate factor and not one to be embarrassed about

Then they will make a recommendation, and explain it. If the recommendation is the $450 option, that is a real recommendation and not a consolation prize.

Downtime

Both involve some recovery. RF generally asks more of you than SkinPen alone. Get specifics at consultation and schedule around your calendar rather than hoping it will be fine.

As with our laser services, sun protection afterwards matters, and your provider will go through aftercare with you.

Packages

Package pricing is given at consultation for both. If a course is recommended, ask for the package number rather than the per-session one — it is the figure that reflects what you will actually spend.

Is one session enough?

Usually not, for either. Microneedling is generally approached as a course rather than a single appointment, and your provider will tell you how many sessions to plan for and how far apart to space them.

This matters to your budget more than the headline price does. A single SkinPen session at $450 and a course of several are very different commitments, and it is better to know which conversation you are in from the start.

Common questions

Which one is "better"?

Neither, as a general statement. They are different tools. RF adds a capability that is useful for some people and unnecessary for others, and the $450 option is a real recommendation when it is the right one.

Does it hurt?

Your provider will discuss comfort measures with you beforehand. Most people find it manageable, and they will tell you what to expect for the specific treatment and depth in your plan.

How long is the downtime?

It differs between the two and it differs by depth. Ask for a number of days at consultation, and schedule around your calendar rather than into it.

Can I wear makeup afterwards?

Your provider will tell you when. Follow that guidance rather than a general rule from the internet — it depends on what was actually done.

What about sun afterwards?

Sun protection is part of the aftercare for both. In a lake town this is worth planning around; we have written separately about seasonal timing.

Can I combine it with other treatments?

Sometimes, sometimes not, and sequencing matters. Tell your provider everything else you are having done — here or anywhere else — and they will advise on order and spacing.

I have had microneedling elsewhere. Does that change anything?

Yes, usefully. Tell your provider what you had, roughly when, and how your skin responded. It is some of the most helpful information you can give them.

Booking

Every plan here is set at consultation. Prices are starting prices and are subject to change; package pricing is given at consultation.