Skin Health Treatments in Fountain Valley: Microneedling, SkinVive, and the VI Peel

SkinPen microneedling is $500, SkinVive $500, and the VI Peel $400 at Bare.co Skin Health and Medical Spa in Fountain Valley: three separate tools for acne scars, cheek smoothness, and skin tone.

Microneedling uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries that prompt the skin to make more collagen and elastin, which is why it is used for acne scars, rough texture, and enlarged pores [1]. SkinVive is an injectable hyaluronic acid gel that the FDA approved for intradermal injection to improve facial skin smoothness of the cheeks in adults over the age of 21, with the indication expanded in June 2026 to include neck lines [2]. A chemical peel applies an acid solution that removes outer layers of skin so newer skin can surface [3]. Individual results vary.

What do these treatments cost at Bare.co?

Prices current as of September 2026.

These are our prices for treatment at our Fountain Valley location. The $500 SkinPen session is microneedling with the SkinPen glide, the topical used during the procedure, and no add-on. Microneedling can be paired with a platelet concentrate prepared from your own blood: microneedling with PRF is $650 per session. A microneedling session with PDRN is $800 per session; which of these options, if any, is right for you is discussed at your consultation, and the price is confirmed with you in writing before you book, so nothing is added to your bill that you have not agreed to. For how these sit alongside our injectable pricing, see our Orange County price guide. Consultations are available so you can find out which of these — if any — fits your skin and your goals. 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.

What is SkinPen microneedling, and what does it treat?

Microneedling is a procedure that uses very fine needles to puncture the skin in a controlled way. The FDA classifies powered microneedling devices as Class II medical devices, defined in regulation as a device "using one or more needles to mechanically puncture and injure skin tissue for aesthetic use" [4]. The SkinPen Precision System holds FDA marketing authorization: it was granted through the De Novo pathway in March 2018 and has been cleared again through later 510(k) submissions, most recently as the SkinPen Precision Elite System in August 2024 [5].

The point of the injury is the repair. As Cleveland Clinic explains, "the damage helps stimulate your skin's healing process, so it produces more collagen and elastin" — the proteins that keep skin firm and smooth [1]. Because of that, microneedling is used for acne scars, fine lines, enlarged pores, loose or crepey skin, and uneven tone [1].

Microneedling is also worth knowing about if you have a deeper skin tone. A review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology concluded that "microneedling may offer a more advantageous safety profile, particularly in the skin-of-color population, compared with more conventional resurfacing modalities" such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, and lasers, which historically carried more risk of dyspigmentation and scarring in Fitzpatrick types IV–VI [6].

See our dedicated SkinPen microneedling page for candidacy, session planning, and risks in more detail.

What does adding a platelet concentrate do?

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is made from your own blood. A small draw is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and the resulting plasma is applied or injected alongside the microneedling. The evidence here is real but modest in size. In a split-face trial of 30 patients with facial acne scars, treated up to four times at three-week intervals, the authors concluded that "combined microneedling with PRP gives better results and is better tolerated in all types of atrophic acne scars" compared with either treatment alone [7]. A review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology similarly describes the microneedling-plus-PRP combination as a technique that has "gained recent traction" for acne scarring [8].

PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) is a related preparation, also made from your own blood. We describe how we use it, and where the evidence for it stands, on our PRF and biostimulators page. If a platelet concentrate is appropriate for you, we will tell you which one we would use before you book; microneedling with PRF is $650 per session.

Ask your provider directly about the regulatory status and sourcing of any product used on you, here or anywhere else. That is a fair question in any medical spa, including this one.

How many microneedling sessions, and what is recovery like?

Most people need more than one session. Cleveland Clinic notes that "most people need multiple microneedling treatments, usually about 3 weeks to 8 weeks apart," and that it can take three to six months to see results, with maintenance possibly once a year [1]. The acne scar trial described above used up to four sessions spaced three weeks apart [7].

For recovery, expect some visible skin response. Cleveland Clinic states that "your skin might be red and swollen for up to five days," that skin may feel tight or look dry and flaky, and that most people can wear makeup the day after — while staying out of the sun until the skin heals [1]. A systematic review of microneedling safety grouped the common effects as redness, swelling, pain, dry skin, and exfoliation, most of which resolved within seven days [9]. Individual results vary.

What is SkinVive, and how long does it last?

SkinVive by JUVÉDERM is a hyaluronic acid microdroplet injectable. Rather than adding volume or lifting a feature the way a traditional filler does, it is placed intradermally — within the skin itself — to work on skin smoothness. If your goal is volume or contour instead, that is a different category of product; see our page on dermal fillers.

The FDA approved SkinVive on May 11, 2023, as a supplement to Allergan's Juvéderm premarket approval (P110033/S059), with the approval order describing it as "indicated for intradermal injection to improve facial skin smoothness of the cheeks in adults over the age of 21" [2]. The indication was expanded on June 11, 2026 (P110033/S099), which reads "indicated for intradermal injection to improve skin smoothness of the cheeks and intradermal and/or subdermal injection to reduce neck lines for improvement of neck appearance in adults over the age of 21" [2]. We offer SkinVive for the cheeks and for neck lines, at the same $500.

The manufacturer says results last "6 months with optimal treatment," which is marketing-site wording rather than a duration quoted from the approved labeling [10]. Treat it as a general expectation, not a promise about your face.

On side effects, the manufacturer reports that "the most commonly reported side effects were redness, lumps/bumps, swelling, bruising, pain, tenderness, firmness, discoloration and itching," and that "most side effects will resolve within 7 days" [10]. As with any hyaluronic acid injectable, there is a rare but serious risk of unintentional injection into a blood vessel, which the manufacturer notes "can be serious and may be permanent," including vision problems, blindness, and stroke [10].

What does a VI Chemical Peel do?

A chemical peel applies an acid solution to remove layers of skin so that newer skin surfaces. Cleveland Clinic notes that peel solutions "typically used include glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid or carbolic acid (phenol)," and groups peels by depth: superficial peels remove the outermost layer and suit fine wrinkling, acne, uneven coloring, and dry, rough, sun-damaged skin; medium peels reach into the upper middle layer and are used for moderate discoloration, age spots, acne scarring, and fine-to-moderate wrinkles [3].

The VI Peel we perform is a medium-depth peel. This is what the visit and the week after it look like here: you leave with the peel on, and you should start peeling around the third day, with some flaking noticeable around the mouth, followed by minimal to full shedding up to seven days. Individual results vary.

Peeling is expected, not a complication. As general guidance for peel depth categories, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery gives healing times of one to seven days for a superficial peel and seven to 14 days for a medium peel [11], and Cleveland Clinic describes scaling lasting three to seven days after a light peel, and crusting and peeling over seven to 14 days after a medium peel [3]. Those are category ranges for peel depth in general, not our schedule; the timeline above is ours.

Sun protection is the part of aftercare that matters most. ASDS states plainly that "sun exposure and smoking after a chemical peel must be avoided because they can cause unwanted side effects" [11]. Cleveland Clinic advises applying daily sunscreen once your skin heals, and avoiding tanning beds and outdoor tanning while your skin is healing [3].

Which treatment suits which concern?

SkinPen microneedling ($500) tends to suit people whose main concerns are structural: atrophic acne scars, uneven texture, and enlarged pores [1][7]. It asks for patience — a series of sessions and a few months before judging results [1].

SkinVive ($500) suits someone whose skin looks reasonably even but feels or reads as rough on the cheeks, and who wants a treatment aimed specifically at cheek skin smoothness; we also treat neck lines with it, at the same $500 [2][10]. It does not lift, fill, or reshape.

VI Chemical Peel ($400) suits tone-and-surface concerns — dullness, uneven coloring, sun damage, congestion — where you are willing to accept a visible peeling period [3][11].

If what bothers you is lines that appear when you move your face, none of these three is the right tool; that is what wrinkle relaxers address. Many people are candidates for more than one of these, and some are candidates for none right now. That is what a consultation is for.

Who should wait, and what are the risks?

Cleveland Clinic advises talking to your provider before microneedling if you have acne or take acne medication, a blood disorder or take anticoagulants, a tendency to form keloids, skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, are undergoing cancer treatment, or get frequent rashes, cold sores, or changing skin growths [1]. Some of these mean waiting; some mean choosing a different treatment. The microneedling safety review adds active infections, darker skin types, and metal allergies as risk factors, and cautions against combining microneedling "with products not approved for intradermal use" [9].

For peels, ASDS emphasizes that "a thorough evaluation by a dermatologic surgeon is imperative before embarking upon a chemical peel" [11]. Cleveland Clinic says peels are not recommended for people with a history of abnormal skin scarring, those taking medications that make skin more sensitive, or anyone who cannot stay out of the sun during healing, and notes that "in certain skin types, there's a risk of a temporary or permanent change in the color of your skin" [3].

Isotretinoin (Accutane) deserves a nuanced answer rather than a blanket rule. An ASDS Guidelines Task Force consensus concluded there is "insufficient evidence to justify delaying treatment with superficial chemical peels and nonablative lasers... for patients currently or recently exposed to isotretinoin" [12]. That said, the manufacturer's own labeling has historically advised a six-month gap, and this consensus addressed peels, lasers, and dermabrasion rather than microneedling specifically [12]. Tell your provider if you are on or recently finished isotretinoin so the decision is made for your situation.

Beyond the common short-term effects, the microneedling safety review documented persistent adverse effects including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, tram-track scarring, and granulomatous reactions, while concluding that "microneedling is a relatively safe therapy" and that "most reported AEs are minimal, resolving quickly and spontaneously" [9]. SkinVive carries the hyaluronic acid injectable risks described above, and should not be used by people with a history of anaphylaxis, multiple severe allergies, or allergy to lidocaine or the Gram-positive bacterial proteins in the product [10].

We do not perform any medical aesthetic treatments on pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Individual results vary. No cosmetic treatment is appropriate for everyone, and any of these may be declined for you if it is not a good fit.

Frequently asked questions

How much does SkinPen microneedling cost in Fountain Valley?

At Bare.co, SkinPen microneedling is $500 per session, $650 per session with PRF, and $800 per session with PDRN. The $500 session uses the SkinPen glide, the topical applied during the procedure. Because most people need a series of sessions spaced roughly three to eight weeks apart, it is worth planning for more than one treatment [1]. If PRF is recommended for you, that is the $650 session, and we confirm the price with you in writing before you book. Payment plans are available through Cherry.

Is SkinVive the same thing as filler?

Both are hyaluronic acid gels made by the same manufacturer, but they are used differently. Traditional fillers are placed deeper to add volume or shape a feature, while SkinVive is injected intradermally and is FDA-approved to improve facial skin smoothness of the cheeks in adults over the age of 21, with a June 2026 supplement adding neck lines [2][10]. It is not intended to change facial contour. We offer it for the cheeks and for neck lines at the same $500.

How long will I be peeling after a VI Peel?

The VI Peel we perform is a medium-depth peel. You leave with the peel on, and you should start peeling around the third day, with some flaking noticeable around the mouth, followed by minimal to full shedding up to seven days. Plan for a visible peeling window rather than assuming you will look normal the next day. Individual results vary.

Can I get microneedling if I have deeper skin?

Often, yes, and it is one reason microneedling is used in skin of color. A JAAD review found microneedling "may offer a more advantageous safety profile, particularly in the skin-of-color population," compared with lasers, dermabrasion, and peels [6]. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is still a documented risk, so this should be discussed at consultation [9].

Do I need to stop using retinoids or other products first?

Bring a full list of your skincare products and prescriptions to your consultation. Cleveland Clinic notes that peels are not recommended for people taking medications that make skin more sensitive, and lists acne medication among the things to discuss with your provider before microneedling [1][3]. Your provider will give you specific pre- and post-treatment instructions.

Can I have these treatments while pregnant or breastfeeding?

No. We do not perform any medical aesthetic treatments on pregnant or breastfeeding women.

What does a consultation cost?

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. At that visit we go through your skin, your history, and your goals, and tell you which of these treatments — if any — we would recommend, and what it would cost, before you commit to anything.

Who will be treating me?

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. If you would like to know who will be performing a specific treatment on the day, ask when you book.

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.

More questions are answered on our FAQ page.

Sources

1. Cleveland Clinic. Microneedling. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23113-microneedling
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Premarket Approval (PMA) database. SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM — P110033/S059, approved 2023-05-11: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma.cfm?id=P110033S059 ; P110033/S099, approved 2026-06-11: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma.cfm?id=P110033S099
3. Cleveland Clinic. Chemical Peels. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11010-chemical-peels
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Product Classification database, product code QAI (Microneedling device for aesthetic use), Class II: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpcd/classification.cfm?id=QAI ; definition at 21 CFR 878.4430: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-878/subpart-E/section-878.4430
5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, De Novo and 510(k) databases. SkinPen Precision System — DEN160029 (granted 2018-03-01): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/denovo.cfm?id=DEN160029 ; SkinPen Precision Elite System — K241400 (cleared 2024-08-29): https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K241400
6. Cohen BE, Elbuluk N. Microneedling in skin of color: A review of uses and efficacy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(2):348-55. PMID 26549251. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26549251/
7. Ismail SA, Khella NAH, Abou-Taleb DAE. Which is more effective in atrophic acne scars treatment: microneedling alone, platelet rich plasma alone, or combined both therapeutic modalities? Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(10):2229-2240. PMID 36219518. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36219518/
8. Schoenberg E, O'Connor M, Wang JV, Yang S, Saedi N. Microneedling and PRP for acne scars: A new tool in our arsenal. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(1):112-114. PMID 31070298. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31070298/
9. Chu S, Foulad DP, Atanaskova Mesinkovska N. Safety Profile for Microneedling: A Systematic Review. Dermatol Surg. 2021. PMID 34448760. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34448760/
10. Allergan Aesthetics. SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM — official product site and Important Safety Information. https://www.skinvivebyjuvederm.com/
11. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Chemical Peels. https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/chemical-peels
12. Waldman A, Bolotin D, Arndt KA, et al. ASDS Guidelines Task Force: Consensus Recommendations Regarding the Safety of Lasers, Dermabrasion, Chemical Peels, Energy Devices, and Skin Surgery During and After Isotretinoin Use. Dermatol Surg. 2017;43(10):1249-1262. PMID 28498204. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28498204/

Book a consultation

Bare.co Skin Health and Medical Spa 17220 Newhope Street, Suite 113, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

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

Consultations are available — call or text (714) 276-8998 to ask which of these treatments, if any, is worth your money. We see clients from across Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Westminster, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Irvine, and Newport Beach. Payment plans are available through Cherry.

Individual results vary.