Microneedling is available in clinics and at home, and both have their place. Clinics offer deeper treatments carried out by a practitioner; at-home pens offer convenience and consistency at a fraction of the cost. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide which is right for you, or whether a mix of both makes sense.
The short answer: professional microneedling can go deeper and suits significant scarring and deeper concerns, but typically costs around £100 to £300 per session in the UK. At-home microneedling uses gentler depths, costs far less over time, and suits everyday concerns like fine lines, texture, pores, dullness, mild marks and thinning hair. Many people use both.
Side-by-side comparison
| At home | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Depth on the face | Around 0.6mm | Can go deeper |
| Cost | One-off pen cost, plus cartridges | Typically £100 to £300 per session |
| Downtime | Usually 1 to 3 days of pinkness | Can be several days after deeper sessions |
| Convenience | On your schedule, at home | Appointments and travel |
| Expertise | You follow guidance | Trained practitioner assesses your skin |
| Extras | Your own serums | May include professional serums or combined treatments |
| Best for | Fine lines, texture, pores, glow, mild marks, stretch marks, thinning hair | Significant scarring and deeper concerns |
Cost over a year
Clinic prices vary widely by location and practitioner. A typical facial course of 3 to 6 sessions at £100 to £300 each adds up to several hundred pounds or more, with maintenance sessions on top.
At home, you pay for the pen once, then for cartridges as you need them. With face sessions about every four weeks, a year of at-home microneedling usually costs a fraction of a course of clinic treatments.
Results: what to expect from each
Professional
Deeper sessions can create more noticeable changes per session, which is why clinics are the better route for significant scarring. Results still take several sessions and months to show.
At home
Each session is gentler, but you can keep up a regular routine. For everyday concerns, consistent at-home sessions deliver steady, gradual improvements. See Does Microneedling Work?
Safety
Both can be safe when done properly. In a clinic, a practitioner assesses your skin and uses sterile equipment. At home, safety comes down to a few rules:
- Sterile, single-use cartridges every session
- Home-use depths: 0.6mm on the face
- Clean skin, hands and pen
- Proper spacing between sessions
- Simple aftercare and daily SPF
Our safety guide covers the rest.
When to choose a professional
- deep acne scars, especially icepick or deep boxcar marks
- significant scarring from injury or surgery
- a skin condition that needs assessment
- you'd like combined treatments, such as microneedling with other procedures
- you're unsure what's right for your skin
Using both
Some people have a course of professional sessions for a specific concern, then maintain results at home. Others use professional treatments occasionally and microneedle or nanoneedle at home in between. If you do both, ask your practitioner how to space them.
Getting started at home with Olapen
Olapen is designed to make at-home microneedling as simple and safe as possible: adjustable depth from 0.6mm to 2.0mm, five speeds, sterile single-use cartridges for every area, and a full library of guides. It comes with a 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee and a 1-Year Warranty. See our guarantee and warranty page.
Frequently asked questions
Is at-home microneedling as good as a clinic?
For everyday concerns, consistent at-home sessions can deliver steady results. For deeper concerns, a clinic is the better option.
How much does microneedling cost in the UK?
Clinic sessions typically cost around £100 to £300 each, depending on location and practitioner.
Is at-home microneedling safe?
Yes, for most people, with sterile cartridges, home-use depths, good hygiene and aftercare.
Can I microneedle at home between clinic sessions?
Ask your practitioner how to space them.
Why is professional microneedling deeper?
Practitioners are trained to work at deeper settings and manage the longer recovery that comes with them.
The bottom line
Professional microneedling is the right choice for deep scarring and specialist treatments. At-home microneedling is the affordable, convenient option for everyday concerns, with results that come from consistency. Choose the one that fits your goals, or combine the two.
Microneedling and nanoneedling are cosmetic procedures. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. If you have a skin condition or any concerns, speak to a healthcare professional.