Which Cartridge Should I Use?

Every Olapen needle cartridge uses the same fine needle. What changes is how many needles there are, and that decides two things: how large an area the cartridge covers, and how precisely you can aim it. Depth is set on the pen, not by the cartridge.

  • Fewer needles means a smaller head you can aim at one spot. Each needle also meets less resistance, so it works cleanly on dense or uneven skin like scars.
  • More needles means a bigger head that covers large, flat areas faster and more evenly.
  • Nano doesn't pierce the skin at all. It's the gentle option for sensitive skin, beginners and around the eyes.

Start here

1. Are you new to microneedling, or is your skin sensitive or redness-prone?
Start with Nano. It's also the only cartridge we recommend for around the eyes.

2. Are you treating one specific spot, such as an individual scar or a line above the lip?
Choose the 9-pin.

3. Are you treating your whole face?
Choose the 12-pin for the forehead, cheeks and chin, or the 24-pin for wider areas like the cheeks, jawline and neck.

4. Are you treating your scalp?
Choose the 24-pin, 36-pin or 42-pin. Larger heads cover the scalp faster; the 24-pin is easier around the hairline.

5. Are you treating your body, such as stretch marks on the stomach or thighs?
Choose the 36-pin for the chest and arms, or the 42-pin for the largest areas.

Cartridge chart

Cartridge Best areas Concerns
Nano Around the eyes, face, neck, décolletage Sensitive & redness-prone skin, dullness, fine lines, pigmentation & sun damage
9-pin Individual scars, upper lip, small targeted areas Scarring, small stretch marks, fine expression lines
12-pin Forehead, cheeks, chin, smaller body areas Fine lines, texture & pores, scarring, pigmentation & sun damage, dullness, smaller stretch marks
24-pin Cheeks, jawline, neck, décolletage, scalp Fine lines, loose skin, texture & pores, scarring, pigmentation & sun damage, dullness, thinning hair
36-pin Chest, arms, stomach, scalp Stretch marks, scarring, loose or crepey skin, thinning hair
42-pin Stomach, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, scalp Stretch marks, body scarring, loose skin, thinning hair

Setting the depth

Whichever cartridge you choose, set the depth for the area you're treating. As a general guide: face 0.6mm (the lowest setting), scalp 0.6–1.0mm, body 1.0–1.5mm. Never use a needle cartridge around the eyes. Our depth and technique guide explains each area in more detail.

Every cartridge is sterile, individually sealed and single use. Use a fresh one every session.