Microneedling Cost By Type And Body Part, Versus Laser, And More

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Skin Care

How Much Does Microneedling Cost, and What Factors Into It?

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on June 25, 2018

Microneedling cost by type
Microneedling cost by body part
Recovery time
Maintenance
How to offset costs
Microneedling vs. laser resurfacing cost

How much does microneedling cost?

Microneedling may cost anywhere from $200 to $700 per session. Although the number of sessions can vary, most people need three to six sessions for optimal results. With this in mind, you may spend anywhere from $600 to $4,200 overall.

Microneedling is considered a cosmetic procedure, so it usually isn’t covered by insurance. This means that all payments are made out of pocket. Your doctor may agree to a payment plan to help spread out the expense, but this varies by clinic.

It’s important to note that these are averages only. The precise cost of microneedling can depend on:

the extent of your treatment
your provider
where you live
how many follow-up treatments you need
whether you need to take off work

Many providers will offer a free consultation to discuss your desired outcome and associated costs.

Read on to learn more about how these costs break down so you can be prepared to discuss the expected bill from your provider before you book your first treatment.

The method used determines the overall cost

There’s no one set fee for microneedling. Your bottom line depends on many factors, such as type, location, and doctor.

Cosmetic or home sessions

Cosmetic forms of microneedling are done at home without the assistance of a medical professional. This process involves the use of a portable tool called a derma roller that you swipe across your skin.

These home devices work best for fine lines and other surface skin concerns. The length of the needle on the device will determine how often you need to use it.

The cost of an at-home derma roller is typically between $15 and $140, depending on add-ons.

With added topical serums

Topical serums, such as hyaluronic acid, may be used as an anti-aging boost for wrinkles. The cost of microneedling with a serum may cost as little as $240 per session, with at least three treatments spaced out every few weeks.

With added radiofrequency

Microneedling with radiofrequency uses electromagnetic waves to treat scarring. Most people need at least four treatments spaced six weeks apart for optimal results. Scar treatment is often more expensive. Radiofrequency with microneedling is no exception. Some estimates report an average price of $1,525 per session.

With platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

Some microneedling treatments are used in conjunction with PRP injections. PRP further stimulates skin tissues to encourage tightening. PRP is typically used to target wrinkles, scarring, and other signs of aging.

This combination may cost around $750 per session. You may need three to six treatments spaced out every few weeks for best results.

PRP injections are also sometimes marketed as a “vampire facial.” This is a trademarked name. It may only be used by people who have received specific training and use specific products by the company that trademarked it.

The overall surface area can affect cost

Overall, the cost of microneedling varies more by type and overall surface area than it does by individual body part. This is especially true for microneedling done in combination with added serums or PRP.

A larger surface area means more time spent on the treatment and more product. More product typically results in a higher price tag.

The official Dermapen website estimates that face treatments may be the least expensive per session at about $300 each.

This treatment is commonly used for skin concerns caused or enhanced by a loss of a collagen. This includes:

acne scars
enlarged pores
fine lines and wrinkles
stretch marks
sunspots (also called age spots)
uneven texture

Microneedling may also be used in other areas of the body to treat:

depressed (flat) scars
rough texture
loss of elasticity

Just remember that the wider the area of treatment, the higher the cost may be.

How to factor in recovery time

Recovery time is relatively short with this treatment, but it can still influence your budget.

According to Emory Aesthetic Center, each microneedling session takes about 30 minutes. You may also have a numbing ointment applied to your skin before treatment. This usually adds an additional 30 minutes to wait for it to take effect.

Once you’re done with your treatment, your doctor will apply a calming solution to reduce redness and irritation.

Since this is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure, you aren’t expected to take time off work. Still, you may be at your appointment for a couple of hours. You might consider taking the day off and returning to work the next day. Otherwise, you should consider taking at least a half day off from work.

Redness from the procedure should ease within a couple of days. You may use makeup if you wish. But if the redness bothers you, you may consider taking a few days off after each procedure. You can also schedule the treatment on a Friday so that you have the weekend to recover if you work Monday through Friday.

Depending on how many paid days off you have, you may also need to consider the cost of your recovery time into your microneedling budget.

How to factor in result maintenance

Another consideration is that microneedling isn’t a one-and-done treatment.

Microneedling typically requires nine months of treatment. During this time, you’ll need three to six treatments spaced out every two to six weeks to see full results. The exact number of treatments and the time between them will vary by type, location, and skin concern.

It’s also important to know that the results aren’t permanent. You’ll probably need additional sessions as part of a long-term maintenance plan. Microneedling for scars may require touch-ups every six months. Other cases may only need treatment once every year. Touch-ups typically have the same per-session cost as your initial treatments.

Are there ways to reduce or manage the cost?

Microneedling is usually billed on an out-of-pocket basis. You may qualify for insurance reimbursement if your doctor determines that the procedure is medically necessary.

People who have scars from a traumatic injury or a required surgery may fall into this category. You’ll need to check with your insurance provider to learn more.

Many facilities offer payment plans for microneedling services. There’s also financing available in some instances. For example, some doctors accept Care Credit. This is a type of credit card used for healthcare purposes. You’ll need to apply for the card ahead of time. Unless you’re able to pay off the full amount within a set promotional period, you may have to pay a monthly interest fee on the balance owed.

If you’re getting add-ons, your doctor may offer a discount. The brand of the product may also offer a promotional rebate to help offset some of the cost.

Some facilities may offer reduced session rates for membership enrollment. There may also be a reduced rate if you purchase a “package.” This is a set number of treatments for a total reduced fee. You pay the total set fee up front, before receiving all the treatments, as opposed to paying full price each time you receive the treatment.

Some clinics price it so that if you pay for all your treatments up front, your final treatment may be free of charge. It doesn’t hurt to ask if there’s any “package” pricing in effect.

Finally, you may also be able to buy some microneedling products yourself. Dermapen, for example, says you can purchase their devices at about a third of the cost. There’s a great deal of risk associated with this plan, though. Any side effects you experience could end up costing you more than professional treatment. It’s also important to see if the device you’re purchasing is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure quality.

Cost of microneedling vs. laser resurfacing

While microneedling and laser skin resurfacing are both considered corrective treatments, microneedling is less invasive and has fewer side effects. Here are some of the other key differences to discuss with your dermatologist.

Microneedling	Laser skin resurfacing
Procedure type	minimally invasive; no surgery required	invasive; may result in scarring (especially for ablative lasers)
Total expected costs	between $600 and $4,200, with an average of $200 and $700 charged per session	between $2,000 and $4,000, or between $1,031 and $2,330 per session
Number of treatments needed	3 to 6 treatments spaced out 2 to 6 weeks each; additional maintenance sessions as needed	1 for ablative lasers; 3 to 4 treatments once a month for non-ablative lasers (but these may require maintenance sessions)
Expected results	full results may be seen in 6 to 9 months, but not permanent; future maintenance sessions may be needed	permanent results for ablative lasers; non-ablative lasers may require maintenance visits
Covered by insurance	no	no
Recovery time	2 to 3 days per session	2 to 3 weeks per ablative laser session; about 3 days per non-ablative laser session

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on June 25, 2018

Microneedling Cost By Type And Body Part, Versus Laser, And More

Skin Care

The method used determines the overall cost

Cosmetic or home sessions

With added topical serums

With added radiofrequency

With platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

The overall surface area can affect cost

How to factor in recovery time

How to factor in result maintenance

Are there ways to reduce or manage the cost?

Cost of microneedling vs. laser resurfacing

How we reviewed this article:

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