SkinPen Microneedling in Fountain Valley: What It Treats and What It Costs

SkinPen microneedling is $500 per session at Bare.co Skin Health and Medical Spa in Fountain Valley. It is FDA-cleared for facial acne scars, and most people need a series of sessions.

Microneedling uses very fine needles to puncture the skin in a controlled way, prompting it to make more collagen and elastin, the proteins that "keep your skin firm and smooth" [1]. The current SkinPen Precision Elite System is FDA-cleared to improve the appearance of facial acne scars in adults aged 22 and older, and of neck wrinkles in Fitzpatrick skin types II–IV [4]. Individual results vary.

What does microneedling do to the skin?

Federal regulation defines the device class as "a device using one or more needles to mechanically puncture and injure skin tissue for aesthetic use" [6]. The injury is the point: the skin repairs the punctures by laying down new collagen and elastin [1].

What is SkinPen cleared to treat, and what is off-label?

De Novo request DEN160029 was granted March 1, 2018, creating this device classification at 21 CFR 878.4430, Class II, product code QAI [5][6]. The current SkinPen Precision Elite System was cleared August 29, 2024 under 510(k) K241400 [3].

The cleared wording is narrow. SkinPen Precision Elite is "intended to be used as a treatment to improve the appearance of wrinkles of the neck for Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV and to improve the appearance of facial acne scars in adults with all Fitzpatrick skin types aged 22 years and older" [4].

Using SkinPen for enlarged pores, general texture or fine lines on the face is therefore off-label — legal and common, but not a use the FDA reviewed its data for.

What does microneedling realistically improve?

Atrophic acne scars carry the strongest evidence. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that acne scars "may need 3 to 5 treatments, which are performed every 2 to 4 weeks," and that studies indicate this "can fade acne scars by 50% to 70%" [7]. A review of nine randomised controlled trials in 341 participants found microneedling "efficacious in treating atrophic acne scars" alone or combined with other treatments [9].

Texture, pores and tone. ASDS also lists stretch marks, enlarged pores and skin texture [8]; Cleveland Clinic adds fine lines, crepey skin and uneven tone [1]. Change here is gradual.

Expression lines are different. Microneedling does not relax the muscles that fold skin when you frown — that is what wrinkle relaxers do — and it does not replace lost volume.

How many sessions, and how far apart?

Cleveland Clinic states that "most people need multiple microneedling treatments, usually about 3 weeks to 8 weeks apart," and that "it can take 3 months to 6 months to see results," with maintenance possibly once a year [1]. ASDS describes "a series of monthly treatments (at least three)" [8], and the nine-trial review noted "a minimum of 4-6 sessions are required for a significant improvement" [9].

Because $500 is a per-session price, budget by the course, not the visit. We give you a session count and a total before you book.

What is the downtime and aftercare?

ASDS describes "anywhere to from two to seven days of downtime, and it can range from looking like a mild sunburn to a peel" [8]. Cleveland Clinic says "your skin might be red and swollen for up to five days," and that an ice pack helps [1].

ASDS says "after 24 hours, makeup and sunscreen can be used and normal activity can be resumed" [8]. Sun protection matters most: stay out of the sun until your skin heals [1], and the FDA lists being tan, or planning to be in the sun in the two weeks after the procedure, as a reason microneedling may not be suitable for you [2]. Beforehand, AAD notes preparation "may include stopping use of retinoids (i.e., retinol and tretinoin) or other ingredients found in skin care products for a few days" [7]. Your written instructions give the exact days for your plan.

Can microneedling be combined with PRF or PRP?

A platelet concentrate made from a small draw of your own blood can be used alongside microneedling. That combination is off-label. The FDA states that "microneedling devices are not approved for delivery of cosmetics, topical medications... vitamin solutions, drugs, or blood products (for example, platelet-rich plasma (PRP)) into the skin," and that the risks of combining microneedling devices with other products "are not known" [2].

A session with platelet-rich fibrin is $650, against $500 for the session on its own. Our PRF and biostimulators page covers how we use platelet-rich fibrin.

Who should wait, and what are the risks?

The FDA lists reasons microneedling may not suit you: bleeding or clotting disorders and anticoagulant use, immune suppression, uncontrolled diabetes, active skin infection or facial rash, a cold sore outbreak, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo or autoimmune disease, keloid scars or a history of them, cancer treatment, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and isotretinoin (Accutane) use now or "in the past 6 months" [2]. Tell your provider if you are on or recently finished isotretinoin so the decision is made for your situation. We do not perform any medical aesthetic treatments on pregnant or breastfeeding women. ASDS adds that "those with active acne are generally not considered a good candidate (yet)" [8].

Common risks per the FDA are dryness, tightness, redness, itching, peeling, burning, bruising, bleeding and crusting; less common are pigmentation changes, cold sore reactivation, swollen lymph nodes and infection [2].

The FDA warns that a darker skin type carries "a risk of darkening or lightening of the skin after the procedure," and that some authorized devices "were not studied in subjects with darker skin types" [2]. A review of 85 studies found post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation among both the transient and the persistent serious effects, alongside tram-track scarring and granulomatous reactions, while concluding "microneedling is a relatively safe therapy" [10]. By contrast, the nine-trial review reported two such cases and no serious adverse effects [9].

We may recommend waiting, or a different treatment.

Microneedling and related skin treatment prices

These are our exact prices, not starting prices. Prices current as of September 2026.

The $500 is per session, and most plans run several sessions [1][8][9]. The $500 tier is the session with no add-ons, and the topical used during it is the SkinPen glide; with platelet-rich fibrin the session is $650, and with PDRN $800. Payment plans are available through Cherry. A $100 deposit is collected when you book a consultation and is credited toward your treatment. It is forfeited for a no-show or a late cancellation — cancellations and rebooking need more than 72 hours' notice. The PDRN tier is a priced option; whether it suits you is discussed at that consultation. See our Orange County treatment cost guide, and our skin treatment menu for SkinVive and the VI Peel.

Who treats you at Bare.co

Christylynn Vu, FNP-BC (a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center), who began her career in medical dermatology and serves on the SKMD Medical Team for Allergan Medical Institute, performs all injectable treatments at Bare.co. Brandyn Dunn, MD, is the practice's Medical Director. Ask who will perform your microneedling when you book.

Frequently asked questions

How much does microneedling cost in Fountain Valley?

SkinPen microneedling is $500 per session at Bare.co, $650 with PRF and $800 with PDRN — per-session prices, not a package. Payment plans are available through Cherry. A $100 deposit is collected when you book a consultation and is credited toward your treatment. It is forfeited for a no-show or a late cancellation — cancellations and rebooking need more than 72 hours' notice.

Does microneedling work for acne scars?

It is the use with the strongest evidence, and the one SkinPen is cleared for [4]. AAD reports studies showing acne scars can fade 50% to 70% over a course of treatment [7]. Individual results vary.

How much downtime should I expect?

ASDS describes two to seven days, from a mild sunburn look to a peel [8]; Cleveland Clinic says skin may be red and swollen for up to five days [1]. Makeup and sunscreen are fine after 24 hours [8].

Can I have microneedling if I have a deeper skin tone?

Often, yes — a JAAD review found microneedling "may offer a more advantageous safety profile, particularly in the skin-of-color population" than dermabrasion, peels or lasers [11]. But the FDA warns that darker skin types carry a risk of darkening or lightening afterward, and that some cleared devices were not studied in them [2].

Do you offer new-patient pricing?

Yes. Call or text (714) 276-8998 and ask for this month's new-patient pricing. It changes monthly, so we quote it by phone rather than publishing it.

Sources

1. Cleveland Clinic. Microneedling. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23113-microneedling
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Microneedling Devices (Aesthetic/Cosmetic Devices; content current as of 10/15/2025). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/aesthetic-cosmetic-devices/microneedling-devices
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 510(k) Premarket Notification database. K241400 - SkinPen Precision Elite System, Crown Aesthetics; decision date 08/29/2024; 21 CFR 878.4430; product code QAI. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K241400
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 510(k) Summary and substantial-equivalence letter for K241400, SkinPen Precision Elite System (August 29, 2024). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf24/K241400.pdf
5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, De Novo database. DEN160029 - SkinPen Precision System, Bellus Medical LLC; granted 03/01/2018; regulation 878.4430; product code QAI. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/denovo.cfm?ID=DEN160029
6. 21 CFR 878.4430 - Microneedling device for aesthetic use. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/878.4430
7. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Microneedling can fade scars, uneven skin tone, and more. https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/scars-stretch-marks/microneedling-fade-scars
8. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Microneedling. https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/microneedling
9. Sitohang IBS, Sirait SAP, Suryanegara J. Microneedling in the treatment of atrophic scars: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Int Wound J. 2021. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/iwj.13559
10. Chu S, Foulad DP, Atanaskova Mesinkovska N. Safety Profile for Microneedling: A Systematic Review. Dermatol Surg. 2021;47:1249-1254. PMID 34448760. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34448760/
11. Cohen BE, Elbuluk N. Microneedling in skin of color: A review of uses and efficacy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(2):348-355. PMID 26549251. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26549251/

Book your microneedling consultation

Bare.co serves Fountain Valley and the surrounding Orange County communities of Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Irvine, and Newport Beach.

• Book online: https://booking.mangomint.com/400558
• Call or text: (714) 276-8998
• Email: hello@bareco.skin
• Visit: 17220 Newhope Street, Suite 113, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
• Appointment hours: Usually Monday–Friday 9am–5pm; some Saturdays and Sundays by availability. Visits are by appointment only

More questions are answered on our FAQ page, and our skin treatment menu covers everything else we offer.

Consultations are available. Individual results vary.