Does a SkinPen treatment hurt?
Some topical aesthetic cream is applied to numb the face before treatment.
The skin may appear red and irritated for a few days after treatment.
- Price – £250 per session
- Treatment time – 30 minutes
- Recovery time – Minimal
- Results – 6-8 days after treatment
- Longevity – 6-9 months
Microneedling SkinPen® in Belfast and Northern Ireland
You may notice your skin looks less refined than it used to, with visible pores, uneven texture or lingering marks from old breakouts. Microneedling triggers the skin's own repair process, using fine needle channels to stimulate new collagen and refine the surface texture. Every microneedling course at Array Aesthetics is delivered using the SkinPen Precision system inside our RQIA-regulated Belfast clinic.
SkinPen® Precision is a microneedling device that utilises Collagen Induction Therapy to treat acne scars and fine lines & wrinkles. SkinPen Precision is also found helpful in restoring the skin’s abnormal pigmentation activity often found in skin conditions such as melasma, vitiligo and sun or age spots.
SkinPen® Precision is simple, comfortable, and effective for skin rejuvenation in as little as 30 minutes.
Complementary Treatments
Microneedling can also be paired with selected topical protocols or exosomes at Array, depending on your skin and treatment goals. Your clinician will plan these in sequence rather than combining them in a single session, protecting healing windows and ensuring each treatment earns its place.
Treatments often paired with microneedling at Array:
Profhilo: improves hydration and overall skin quality.
BBL: targets pigmentation and uneven tone.
Skin protocols: tailored skincare to support and maintain results.
Microneedling Belfast
Microneedling Overview
Microneedling is a controlled skin rejuvenation treatment that uses fine, sterile needles to create microchannels in the surface of the skin. Also known as collagen induction therapy, it triggers the body's natural wound-healing response, which stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin over the weeks that follow. At Array we use SkinPen Precision, an FDA-cleared medical microneedling device with adjustable depth control. Some patients notice early changes within the first few weeks, with results developing progressively across a course of three to six treatments.
How Microneedling Works
During a microneedling session, the SkinPen device is glided across the treated area, delivering thousands of precise microchannels into the skin at a depth calibrated by your clinician. These channels trigger a controlled wound-healing response, which activates fibroblasts and stimulates new collagen and elastin production. The channels also allow topical products applied during or after treatment to penetrate more effectively. Each session takes around thirty minutes after topical anaesthetic has been applied.
Choosing Microneedling
Microneedling is the right treatment when the goal is refined surface texture, softer scarring or a more even skin tone without the intensity or recovery of deeper resurfacing. It suits patients who want visible improvement to their skin quality across a series of sessions rather than a single dramatic result. Patients looking for microneedling near me will find Array's Belfast clinic uses the SkinPen Precision system with topical protocols tailored to your skin. Occasionally the right recommendation is to defer treatment or refer to a different approach when the concern is deeper than microneedling can reach.
Microneedling at Array is delivered by Nurse Practitioners Dominique Shore (NMC: 12J0185N) and Trish Short (NMC: 19I0787N), within a multi-doctor team co-founded by Dr Chris Hutton and Dr Judith Storm.
Microneedling vs. Other Treatments
Microneedling is one of several skin rejuvenation treatments delivered at Array in Belfast, each with a different mechanism and target depth. Morpheus8 is a form of RF microneedling in Belfast that combines needle channels with radiofrequency energy to remodel the deeper structural layers. HALO combines fractional laser resurfacing at two wavelengths for more pronounced textural change. Standard microneedling, using SkinPen Precision, sits at the gentler end of the spectrum, targeting surface texture and mild to moderate scarring with minimal downtime.
Microneedling may be appropriate if your main concerns are mild to moderate skin texture, acne scarring, uneven tone, enlarged pores or general skin quality. Where laxity is also a concern, Morpheus8 may be more appropriate, while HALO may be considered for more significant textural change or pigmentation. Your clinician will guide you to the right starting point at your assessment.
Treatment Details
What It Treats
Microneedling treats fine lines, mild to moderate acne scarring, uneven skin texture, enlarged pores, dull skin and mild pigmentation concerns. It also improves the appearance of certain stretch marks on the body. It is not intended to lift skin or address advanced laxity, which need different treatments to address properly.
SkinPen can be used for:
General rejuvenation
Sun damage
Ageing/Rhytides (wrinkles)
Hyperpigmentation
Rosacea
Enlarged pores
Scarring
Alopecia
Striae (stretch marks)
Treatment Areas
Most microneedling patients at Array treat the full face, which is the most commonly requested treatment area. Sessions are also delivered on the neck and décolletage for surface refinement, and on the body for scar improvement, particularly on stretch marks or areas of surgical scarring where texture is a concern.
What to Expect
A topical anaesthetic is applied for around thirty minutes before treatment. The SkinPen device is glided across the treatment area for around fifteen to twenty minutes. Skin will look flushed and feel warm afterwards, with mild pinkness and light dryness for the next two to three days.
Safety and Side Effects
Microneedling is a well-established treatment with a strong safety profile when delivered using single-use sterile needle cartridges. Common side effects are short-lived redness, mild swelling and dryness for one to three days. Rare complications can include infection, making sterile technique, appropriate patient selection and careful aftercare particularly important. At Array, treatment is delivered within our RQIA-regulated Belfast clinic.
Aftercare
Keep the treated area clean for twenty-four hours and avoid make-up, active skincare and sun exposure for at least forty-eight hours. Use a gentle cleanser, hyaluronic acid serum and high-factor mineral sunscreen. Skip strenuous exercise, saunas and hot showers for the first day while the skin barrier restores.
Benefits
Even a single microneedling session can produce visible refinement, though a standard course of three to six sessions delivers cumulative improvement in surface texture, tone and scarring. Results build progressively over the weeks after each session, and because the change comes from your own collagen production, they look natural rather than treated.
FAQs
How quickly are the results visible?
Visibly rejuvenated skin can generally be seen after just 6-8 days following the procedure, with results further improving over time. A course of SkinPen sessions is usually recommended to achieve optimal results; however, improvement is usually noticeable after just one treatment.
Is SkinPen safe?
Allergic reactions and side-effects are extremely rare/unheard of. The procedure is minimally invasive, meaning there is virtually no downtime.
Are there any side effects or risks associated with skin needling?
Side effects experienced with SkinPen usually subside within 48 hours. These include erythema, stinging, itching and tightness of the skin.
My face has a few slightly raised red and itchy lesions today, is that normal and something the client may experience?
Yes, absolutely normal. Some patients may experience red/dry skin or small pimples which resolve in a few days post procedure.
Can I apply make-up to hide the redness after microneedling treatment?
It is advisable to avoid applying make up immediately after treatment. You may apply make up as usual the day following treatment.
What can be expected after SkinPen treatment?
Day 1: Erythema and redness, severity of which will depend upon the aggressiveness of the performed treatment.
Day 2: Red or pink hue similar to moderate sunburn may persist. There may be some noticeable swelling on the second day.
Day 3: Skin may still retain a pink hue, or return to normal colour. Swelling subsides.
Can you have the treatment in conjunction with IPL hair and/or rejuvenation settings and what should be the time gap?
This is not advisable.
What if they have had electrolysis? Is this still okay to use the SkinPen?
Yes, although the skin should be fully healed before SkinPen treatment.
Should Botox users wait 6 weeks before having botox treatment?
Botox is in the muscle in 15 minutes so SkinPen is safe after this, however most patients choose to wait a few days after botox for SkinPen treatment.
How is standard microneedling different from Morpheus8?
Standard microneedling uses needle channels alone to trigger collagen renewal. Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to remodel the deeper structural layers of the skin, addressing laxity as well as texture.
How many microneedling sessions will I need?
Most patients see initial improvement after a single session, but a course of three to six sessions is typically recommended for cumulative results. Sessions are spaced four to six weeks apart to allow full healing.
Is microneedling suitable for all skin tones?
Microneedling can be suitable across a broad range of skin tones because it does not rely on light-based energy. Suitability is still assessed individually, taking your skin, medical history and treatment goals into account.
Can microneedling help with acne scarring?
Microneedling can improve certain types of mild to moderate atrophic acne scarring by stimulating collagen remodelling. The type and depth of scarring matter, and deeper scars may require a different treatment or combination approach.
When can I have microneedling after a peel or laser treatment?
Wait at least four weeks after a chemical peel or laser treatment before microneedling, and confirm timing with your clinician. Combining active treatments too closely can compromise the skin barrier and increase the risk of irritation.