Looking to address acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, pigmentation issues, or uneven skin tone? Microneedling offers several proven options tailored to your specific concerns. At Schlessinger MD in Omaha, Nebraska, we offer four distinct microneedling technologies, each designed for different skin goals and levels of correction. Understanding how they compare will help you and our team select the ideal treatment for you.
- What is microneedling?
- SkinPen® collagen-stimulating treatments
- SkinPen® corrective treatments
- AQUAGOLD® fine touch™ microchanneling
- Which treatment is right for you?
What is microneedling?
Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, works by creating controlled micro-injuries in the skin that trigger the body’s natural healing response. As the skin repairs these micro-channels, it stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin, resulting in smoother, firmer, more even-toned skin over time. The specific results depend on the needle depth, the technology used and whether additional beneficial ingredients or energy are delivered during the treatment.
“Microneedling is an effective way to stimulate real collagen remodeling in the skin,” explains Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “The key is using the right needle depth for the right concern and choosing the right technology to match your goals.”
SkinPen® collagen-stimulating treatments
SkinPen® is the first and only FDA-cleared microneedling device for improving the appearance of facial acne scars and neck wrinkles. It uses precision-engineered, sterile needles to create thousands of controlled micro-injuries in the skin. At shallower needle depths of 0.25mm to 0.5mm, SkinPen® treatments are performed by our licensed aestheticians and focus on gentle collagen stimulation and skin brightening.
What to expect
These lighter-depth treatments are ideal for patients seeking a skin-care refresh, maintenance between deeper procedures, or those new to professional microneedling. The needles work on the skin’s surface to gently stimulate collagen production, enhance skin radiance and improve the absorption of nourishing serums applied during the session. Redness and mild swelling typically resolve within twenty-four to seventy-two hours, and most patients return to regular activities the next day.
Ideal for:
- Mild texture concerns
- Fine lines or early wrinkles
- Enlarged pores
- Maintenance and skin brightening
- Patients seeking minimal downtime
SkinPen® corrective treatments
For patients with more significant concerns, deeper SkinPen® treatments ranging from 0.5mm to 2.5mm are performed by registered nurses, physician assistants or board-certified dermatologists. These corrective protocols reach deeper into the dermal layers where meaningful structural remodeling occurs, allowing for targeted treatment of acne scarring, pronounced wrinkles, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, and uneven texture.
“SkinPen® is evidence-backed and popular, with over ninety validation studies supporting its safety and efficacy,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon. “Being able to fine-tune the depth and coverage allows us to match every patient to exactly the right level of treatment.”
Treatment depth progression
Depths of 0.5mm to 1.0mm address fine lines, mild texture concerns and enlarged pores by reaching into the upper dermis. Depths from 1.0mm to 1.5mm target more moderate concerns, including early acne scarring and established wrinkles, stimulating deeper layers for longer-lasting improvement. Depths from 1.5mm to 2.5mm target the reticular dermis and are reserved for patients with more significant acne scarring, deeper wrinkles or neck rejuvenation goals, producing more noticeable results and greater collagen induction.
Recovery and results
Corrective treatments may cause redness and mild swelling, similar to a moderate sunburn, for one to three days. Most patients return to regular activities within one to two days and can apply makeup within 24 hours if needed. Initial improvements in skin texture and tone often appear within two to four weeks, with results deepening progressively over a full treatment series of three to six sessions spaced three to four weeks apart.
AQUAGOLD® fine touch™ microchanneling
AQUAGOLD® fine touch™ is a microchanneling system that takes traditional microneedling a step further by infusing skincare products or ingredients directly into the skin. The device features 24k gold-plated needles, each smaller than a hair follicle, that create tiny openings through which serums or other molecules are introduced into the dermis. Unlike traditional microneedling, which only punctures the skin, AQUAGOLD® allows your provider to deliver targeted ingredients—such as hyaluronic acid fillers or skin boosters, BOTOX® or customized serums—exactly where they’re needed.
Key advantages
AQUAGOLD® is relatively painless and produces virtually no downtime, making it ideal for patients with busy schedules or those seeking an “event-ready” treatment. Results include a hydrated, radiant glow, refined pores and subtle refinement in fine lines and texture. It is a one-time use device, meaning each treatment uses sterile, brand-new needles, eliminating any risk of cross-contamination.
“The concept of microchanneling involves microneedling with the introduction of beneficial ingredients to the skin,” explains Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “This innovative and safe treatment can help with wrinkles, redness, rosacea and scarring with minimal downtime and great satisfaction scores.”
Ideal for:
- Patients seeking polished, refreshed skin before an event
- Fine lines and early wrinkles
- Rosacea or redness concerns
- Subtle refinement without intensive collagen-reduction procedures
- Those preferring virtually no downtime
ENDYMED Intensif RF microneedling
ENDYMED Intensif RF Microneedling is the most advanced form of microneedling, combining traditional microneedling with proprietary radiofrequency (RF) technology and specialized gold-plated needles. The RF energy generates controlled heat in the skin’s deeper layers, amplifying collagen production beyond what traditional microneedling alone can achieve. This combination delivers structural remodeling that reaches deep into the reticular dermis for more dramatic results.
“The microneedling plus radiofrequency approach is a very nice treatment for early sun damage and superficial acne scarring” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger. “Our patients return refreshed and looking better. Importantly, it is powerful enough to improve many skin concerns while being gentle enough to not damage the skin like we often see with other RF microneedling devices like Morpheus 8.”
Because RF microneedling delivers heat-based energy in addition to mechanical needling, it requires advanced clinical expertise and is performed by our medical team under physician supervision. The treatment typically takes about thirty minutes. Results from enhanced collagen remodeling are particularly dramatic for pronounced scarring, deeper wrinkles or skin laxity concerns. Patients may experience one to seven days of peeling, redness and possible mild bruising.
Ideal for:
- Significant or atrophic acne scarring
- Pronounced wrinkles or deeper expression lines
- Moderate to advanced sun damage
- Mild skin laxity or texture concerns
- Stretch marks
- Patients seeking maximum collagen induction
Which treatment is right for you?
“These options allow us to match the treatment to the concern being addressed. They also allow for a controlled depth and the ability to target collagen at many different levels,” says Dr. Joel Schlessinger. Any of these microneedling treatments can also be integrated with other procedures—including BOTOX®, dermal fillers and laser therapies—at Schlessinger MD for comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
If you’re ready to explore which microneedling option is the best fit for your skin concerns and goals, you can schedule an appointment with Drs. Joel or Daniel Schlessinger through our appointment portal today. Our team will assess your skin, discuss your concerns and recommend the ideal treatment protocol to help you achieve your most confident skin.