Microneedling is one of those treatments where the same word covers three procedures that produce three different results. Standard microneedling uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injury. Radiofrequency microneedling adds RF energy delivered through the needles, treating tissue at a depth standard needling can’t reach. PRP microneedling adds the patient’s own platelet-rich plasma to enhance healing and collagen response.
The three approaches are not interchangeable. They serve different patients with different goals, at different price points, with different recovery profiles. Picking the right one matters more than picking the lowest price.
Standard microneedling
Also called collagen induction therapy. A motorized pen with fine needles creates thousands of small punctures in the skin. The depth is adjustable, typically 0.5mm to 2.5mm depending on the area and concern. The micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural wound healing response — fibroblasts activate, new collagen and elastin lay down, and the skin remodels over the following 6-8 weeks.
What it’s good for: Mild to moderate texture concerns, fine lines, enlarged pores, mild acne scarring, mild pigmentation, overall skin tone improvement.
What it won’t do: Significant volume loss, deep wrinkles, deep ice-pick or rolling acne scars, severe skin laxity.
Treatment course: Typically 3-6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Maintenance sessions every 6-12 months thereafter.
Recovery: Redness and mild swelling for 24-48 hours. Most patients can return to work the next day with mineral makeup. Avoid sun, sweating, and active skincare for 5-7 days post-treatment.
Price range in LA: $300–$600 per session. Often packaged at $1,500–$3,000 for a series of 4-6 sessions.
Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling — Morpheus8 and Morpheus8 2.0
RF microneedling is a substantial step up. Insulated or non-insulated needles deliver radiofrequency energy at controlled depths in the dermis. The needles create the entry path; the RF energy creates a thermal zone around each needle tip that causes deeper collagen contraction and remodeling. The combined effect — mechanical micro-injury plus thermal stimulation — produces results that standard microneedling can’t approach.
Morpheus8 (from InMode) is the most widely-known RF microneedling device. The 2.0 version, which Dr Refresh uses, delivers deeper penetration (up to 8mm with the Body tip) and more precise thermal control than earlier generations. The depth is what matters: at 4mm, you’re reaching the deep dermis and remodeling structural collagen. At 8mm with the Body tip, you’re treating fibrous septae and subcutaneous tissue in ways that genuinely change body contour.
What it’s good for: Moderate to advanced texture concerns, moderate acne scarring (rolling and boxcar scars in particular), mild to moderate laxity, larger pores, deeper wrinkles, body contouring (especially abdomen, arms, knees, neck, jawline).
What it won’t do: Severe laxity that needs surgery, significant volume loss, deep ice-pick acne scars (those need TCA cross or laser).
Treatment course: Typically 3 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart for face. Body protocols may extend to 4-6 sessions.
Recovery: More significant than standard microneedling. Expect noticeable redness and mild swelling for 2-4 days, with small grid-pattern marks visible for 5-7 days. Mineral makeup at day 2-3 usually works. Active skincare paused for 7-10 days.
Price range in LA: $1,200–$2,500 per session for face; body protocols $1,500–$3,500 per session. Packages of 3 face sessions typically $3,500–$6,500.
Morpheus8 2.0 is the most consequential procedure in the microneedling category for patients with real laxity, real texture concerns, or real scarring. It’s also the most expensive — but the results compound across 3 sessions in a way standard microneedling rarely does.
PRP microneedling (the “vampire facial”)
PRP — platelet-rich plasma — is a concentrate of the patient’s own platelets derived from a small blood draw and centrifuged in the office. The PRP is then applied topically during microneedling, allowing the platelets and their growth factors to enter the micro-channels created by the needles.
The theory is that the growth factors (PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, and others) accelerate healing and enhance the collagen response. The clinical evidence is mixed but trending positive — multiple studies show PRP-augmented microneedling produces meaningful improvements over microneedling alone, particularly for acne scarring.
What it’s good for: Patients already getting microneedling who want enhanced results, especially for acne scarring and skin quality. Also a popular option for hair restoration (different protocol, scalp focus).
What it won’t do: Replace RF microneedling for laxity or deep texture. PRP is an additive treatment, not a substitute.
Treatment course: Same as the underlying microneedling protocol — 3-6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
Recovery: Same as microneedling alone, sometimes slightly less because PRP supports faster healing. Bruising at the blood draw site is the main additional concern.
Price range in LA: Adds $300–$600 per session to the underlying microneedling cost.
Comparison at a glance
| Standard | RF (Morpheus8 2.0) | PRP-enhanced | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Mild texture, tone | Texture + laxity | Acne scars, skin quality |
| Depth | 0.5–2.5mm | Up to 8mm | Same as base treatment |
| Downtime | 1–2 days | 5–7 days | Same as base + bruise risk at draw |
| Sessions | 3–6 | 3 (face) | 3–6 |
| LA price/session | $300–$600 | $1,200–$2,500 | +$300–$600 add-on |
| Result timeline | 6–8 wks | 3–6 months | Same as base, often slightly faster |
Who needs what
A few generalized matches:
- Late 20s/early 30s with smooth skin and minor concerns: Standard microneedling, possibly with PRP. Affordable maintenance.
- 30s/40s with moderate texture and early laxity: Morpheus8 2.0 series. The combined collagen and laxity effect is what bridges the gap before patients are ready for more invasive options.
- 40s/50s with significant laxity, jowling, or texture damage: Morpheus8 2.0 plus often adjunctive treatments (resurfacing laser, RF skin tightening, biostimulators like Sculptra). Microneedling alone is typically not enough at this stage.
- Patient with active or recently-active acne and scarring: PRP-enhanced microneedling, possibly RF-based depending on scar depth. Wait until active inflammatory acne is controlled before treating.
- Patient with melasma or significant pigmentation: Standard microneedling can sometimes worsen melasma. Need careful provider assessment and possibly different modalities (specific lasers, topical regimens) first.
What Dr Refresh offers
Dr Refresh Med Spa in West Hollywood offers all three modalities — standard microneedling, Morpheus8 2.0 RF microneedling, and PRP-enhanced microneedling — with the choice driven by what the patient actually needs after assessment rather than what the practice has on the schedule that day. Under Dr. Edmund Fisher’s direction, consultations include skin analysis, photo documentation, and a written treatment plan with sequencing.
For patients deciding between modalities, the practical rule: if your concern is real texture or laxity, RF microneedling pays off the price difference within the first session. If your concern is mild and your skin is otherwise smooth, standard microneedling is often the right starting point.
Frequently asked questions
Does microneedling hurt?
Topical numbing is applied for 20-30 minutes before the procedure. With proper numbing, standard microneedling is well-tolerated (2-4 out of 10 discomfort). RF microneedling is more intense, particularly at deeper settings — most patients describe it as 4-6 out of 10 even with full numbing.
How long until I see results?
Initial results visible at 2-4 weeks. Continued improvement for 3-6 months as collagen remodels. RF microneedling continues producing visible change for up to 12 months after a series.
Can I combine microneedling with other treatments?
Yes, with appropriate sequencing. RF microneedling combines well with biostimulators (Sculptra), HA filler in different visits, and laser resurfacing. Avoid combining with Botox in the same visit (timing the recovery is awkward) and avoid immediately after chemical peels.
Is microneedling safe for skin of color?
Standard microneedling is generally safe across all Fitzpatrick skin types when performed correctly. RF microneedling has a particularly strong safety profile for darker skin because the energy is delivered through insulated needles (in the case of Morpheus8) rather than at the surface — significantly reducing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk compared to lasers.
How is at-home microneedling different?
At-home dermarollers and pens use shorter needles (typically 0.25-0.5mm) and produce surface-level micro-channels for product penetration. They don’t reach the dermal depth required for clinical collagen induction. They’re a useful adjunct to in-office treatment for some patients, but not a substitute.
Book a microneedling consultation at Dr Refresh Med Spa in West Hollywood.
