Dr Pen Microneedling Instruction Guide

Dr. Pen Microneedling Instruction Guide

How to Use Your Dr. Pen Safely & Correctly

New to microneedling?

This step-by-step Dr. Pen instruction guide explains how to prepare your skin, install a cartridge, choose your settings, use the correct microneedling technique, and care for your skin afterward.

Whether you're using a Dr. Pen M8S, M9, A11, A6S or another compatible Dr. Pen model, understanding the correct technique is essential before beginning.

Quick Rule: Clean Skin → New Sterile Cartridge → Apply Glide Serum → Start Conservatively → Use Light Pressure → Soothe & Protect

Before You Start

Before every microneedling session, prepare everything you need so you don't have to touch unnecessary surfaces during treatment.

You Will Need

Your Dr. Pen microneedling device
A new, compatible sterile cartridge
Gentle facial cleanser
Clean towel or disposable facial cloth
Suitable hydrating glide serum
Clean hands or disposable gloves
Gentle post-treatment moisturizer
Broad-spectrum sunscreen for daytime protection

Always make sure the cartridge is designed specifically for your Dr. Pen model.

Never force an incompatible cartridge onto your device.

Step 1 — Check Your Skin

Do not begin microneedling simply because it is your scheduled treatment day.

Look carefully at your skin first.

Postpone treatment if the intended area has:

Open wounds
Broken skin
Active or inflamed acne
Active infection
Significant irritation
Sunburn
Active rash
Unexplained inflammation

If you have a skin or medical condition, are undergoing professional skin treatments, use prescription medications affecting your skin, or are unsure whether microneedling is suitable for you, consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional first.

Step 2 — Clean Your Hands & Treatment Area

Cleanliness is one of the most important parts of microneedling.

Prepare Your Hands

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Disposable gloves can provide an additional hygiene barrier, particularly when handling the cartridge.

Prepare Your Skin

Remove:

Makeup
Sunscreen
Oil
Dirt
Skincare residue

Double-cleanse if necessary and make sure the treatment area is thoroughly clean before beginning.

Tie your hair completely away from your face.

Step 3 — Install a New Sterile Cartridge

Check the packaging before opening your cartridge.

Do not use it if:

The sterile packaging is damaged
The seal has already been opened
Needles appear bent or damaged
The cartridge appears contaminated
It is not compatible with your Dr. Pen model

Open the cartridge immediately before treatment.

Insert it into the pen according to the instructions supplied with your particular Dr. Pen model and make sure it is securely locked in place.

One Treatment = One Cartridge

For hygiene and consistent performance, use a new sterile cartridge for every microneedling treatment.

Do not share cartridges between people.

Do not reuse a used microneedling cartridge.

Step 4 — Choose Your Cartridge

Different cartridges are designed for different cosmetic applications.

Cartridge	General Use
9–12 Pin	Precision and smaller treatment areas
16–18 Pin	General facial microneedling
24 Pin	General-purpose facial/body treatments
36 Pin	Larger treatment areas
42 Pin	Broad superficial coverage
Nano	Superficial cosmetic infusion / nano-needling

The exact cartridge options depend on your Dr. Pen model.

Lower Pin Counts

Lower pin-count cartridges concentrate fewer needles over a smaller area.

They are useful when precision and control are important.

Higher Pin Counts

Higher pin-count cartridges cover a broader surface area and can be useful for general cosmetic treatments.

Nano Cartridges

Nano cartridges are different from traditional microneedling cartridges.

They are designed for very superficial cosmetic treatments and product application rather than deeper microneedling.

View the Dr. Pen Cartridge Guide →

Step 5 — Select Your Needle Depth

Needle depth should be chosen according to the treatment area rather than using one setting across the entire face.

A conservative cosmetic reference guide is:

Treatment Area	Suggested Starting Range
Around Eyes*	0.25–0.5 mm
Forehead	0.25–0.5 mm
Nose	0.25–0.5 mm
Around Lips	0.25–0.5 mm
Cheeks	0.25–0.75 mm
Chin	0.25–0.75 mm
Jawline	0.25–0.75 mm
Neck	0.25–0.5 mm
Décolletage	0.25–0.5 mm

*Never use directly on the eyelids or too close to the eyes.

These are general cosmetic reference ranges—not mandatory settings.

Start Shallow

If you're a beginner, always start conservatively.

Deeper does not automatically mean better.

Greater depth can increase discomfort, inflammation and recovery time and may require treatment by a qualified professional.

For deeper scar treatments, stretch marks, significant acne scarring or other advanced applications, seek professional guidance.

View the Complete Dr. Pen Needle Depth Guide →

Step 6 — Select Your Speed

Speed determines how quickly the cartridge needles move.

For beginners, start at a low speed until you become comfortable controlling the device.

General Speed Guide

Area	Speed
Around Eyes	Level 1–2
Nose	Level 1–2
Around Lips	Level 1–2
Forehead	Level 1–3
Cheeks	Level 2–4
Jawline	Level 2–4
Face – General	Level 1–4
Body	Level 4–6

Remember:

Speed and depth are separate settings.

A higher speed does not mean that you should automatically use a deeper needle setting.

View the Complete Dr. Pen Speed Levels Guide →

Step 7 — Apply a Suitable Glide Serum

Never use your Dr. Pen repeatedly over dry skin.

Apply an appropriate hydrating glide serum to the section you're about to treat.

A simple hyaluronic acid-based glide product is commonly used because it helps the pen move smoothly over the skin.

Work in Small Sections

Instead of covering your entire face with serum at once:

Divide the face into sections.
Apply serum to one section.
Microneedle that section.
Move to the next area.
Apply fresh serum as needed.

This prevents the serum from drying before you reach each area.

Important

Use products intended to be appropriate for microneedling or post-procedure application.

Avoid experimenting with strongly active, fragranced or potentially irritating skincare during microneedling.

Step 8 — Divide Your Face Into Treatment Zones

Dividing your face into sections makes it easier to achieve controlled, consistent coverage.

For example:

Zone 1: Forehead
Zone 2: Left cheek
Zone 3: Right cheek
Zone 4: Nose
Zone 5: Upper lip/chin
Zone 6: Jawline

Complete one zone before moving to the next.

Step 9 — Use the Correct Microneedling Pattern

Turn on your Dr. Pen and hold it so the cartridge sits appropriately against the skin.

Use light, controlled pressure.

Do not aggressively push the pen into the skin.

A simple treatment pattern is:

Pass 1

↕ Vertical

Pass 2

↔ Horizontal

Pass 3

╲ ╱ Diagonal

This creates a controlled cross-hatch pattern.

Keep your movements smooth and consistent.

How Much Pressure Should You Apply?

Very little.

The motor moves the needles for you.

You do not need to force the cartridge into your skin.

Think:

Guide the Pen — Don't Push the Pen

Excessive pressure can increase:

Irritation
Redness
Discomfort
Skin trauma
Dragging
Scratching

Let the device perform the needle movement while your hand controls direction and coverage.

Should You Glide or Stamp?

Both techniques exist, but they serve different purposes.

Gliding Technique

Best suited to general treatment of larger areas such as:

Forehead
Cheeks
Jawline

Use sufficient glide serum and move the device smoothly.

Do not drag a dry cartridge across the skin.

Stamping Technique

Stamping provides greater control over small areas.

It may be useful around:

Nose
Small scars
Difficult facial contours

Place the pen gently against the skin, lift it, reposition and repeat.

Do not repeatedly stamp the same location.

What Should the Skin Look Like?

For conservative cosmetic microneedling, the goal should not be to make the skin bleed.

Depending on the settings and individual response, you may notice:

Mild redness
Warmth
Slight sensitivity
Temporary tightness

These responses can vary.

More Redness Does Not Mean Better Results

And:

More Bleeding Does Not Mean Better Results

Do not use bleeding as your treatment goal.

If you experience unexpected bleeding, significant pain, swelling or an unusual skin reaction, stop treatment.

Step 10 — Finish the Treatment

Once you have completed all treatment areas:

Turn off the device.
Remove the cartridge carefully.
Dispose of the used cartridge safely.
Do not save it for your next session.
Clean the exterior of the pen according to your device manual.

Never immerse the Dr. Pen handpiece in water or liquid unless your specific model's instructions explicitly permit it.

Step 11 — Immediate Aftercare

Your skincare routine should be simple after microneedling.

Immediately afterward, focus on:

HYDRATE

Use a simple, gentle hydrating product.

SOOTHE

Avoid unnecessary active ingredients.

PROTECT

Use appropriate sun protection once suitable for your skin and avoid unnecessary direct sun exposure.

Your skin may temporarily be more sensitive after microneedling.

What Should You Avoid After Microneedling?

During the early recovery period, avoid unnecessarily irritating the skin.

Consider temporarily avoiding:

Retinoids / Retinol
Strong Vitamin C formulas
AHA exfoliants
BHA / Salicylic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Strong exfoliating products
Scrubs
Fragranced skincare
Self-tanner
Heavy makeup immediately afterward
Swimming pools
Saunas and steam rooms
Excessive sweating
Intense sun exposure

Reintroduce active products gradually once the skin feels normal again.

The First 24 Hours

Keep your routine minimal.

24–72 Hours After Treatment

Temporary redness, dryness or sensitivity may occur.

Continue using gentle skincare.

A simple routine can include:

Gentle Cleanser
↓
Hydrating Serum
↓
Gentle Moisturizer
↓
Broad-Spectrum SPF

Gentle Cleanser
↓
Hydrating Serum
↓
Gentle Moisturizer

Avoid rushing back into your full active skincare routine if the skin is still sensitive.

When Can I Wear Makeup?

Avoid applying makeup immediately after microneedling.

Waiting approximately 24 hours, or until the skin has calmed, is a conservative approach.

If redness or sensitivity remains, wait longer.

Always use clean makeup brushes, sponges and applicators.

When Can I Use Retinol Again?

Do not apply retinoids immediately after microneedling.

A conservative approach is to wait until redness, sensitivity and dryness have resolved before gradually restarting them.

Depending on the intensity of your treatment and your skin's response, this may take several days.

If you're using prescription tretinoin or another prescription topical treatment, ask your healthcare professional for personalized advice.

How Often Should You Microneedle?

Treatment frequency depends strongly on treatment intensity and skin recovery.

For conventional microneedling sessions, allowing approximately:

4–6 Weeks

between treatments is a conservative general approach.

This gives your skin time to recover before another full microneedling session.

Superficial nano-needling follows a different schedule and may be performed more frequently according to the instructions for your device and cartridge.

Don't Microneedle Skin That Hasn't Recovered

If your skin remains:

Red
Irritated
Dry
Peeling
Sensitive
Inflamed

wait until it has completely settled.

Microneedling vs. Nano-Needling

These treatments should not be treated as identical.

	Microneedling	Nano-Needling
Cartridge	Needle cartridge	Nano cartridge
Intensity	Higher	Very superficial
Downtime	Possible	Usually minimal
Frequency	Longer intervals	Can be more frequent
Main Focus	Cosmetic skin renewal	Superficial cosmetic treatment/product application

Choose the cartridge according to your treatment goals and the instructions for your specific device.

Common Beginner Mistakes

1. Starting Too Deep

Beginners sometimes assume deeper treatment produces faster results.

It doesn't necessarily.

Start conservatively.

2. Using Too Much Pressure

The motor does the work.

You only need to guide the pen.

3. Treating Dry Skin

Insufficient glide can cause the cartridge to drag or pull.

Work section by section and maintain adequate slip.

4. Going Over the Same Area Too Many Times

More passes do not automatically produce better results.

Excessive passes can unnecessarily irritate the skin.

5. Using the Highest Speed Immediately

Beginners should start slowly and learn how the device behaves before increasing speed.

6. Reusing Cartridges

A microneedling cartridge should be treated as a single-use item.

One session. One cartridge.

7. Using Strong Skincare Immediately Afterward

More products are not necessarily better after microneedling.

Keep your routine simple while the skin is recovering.

Dr. Pen Beginner Routine

If you're using a Dr. Pen for the first time, keep your first treatment simple.

BEFORE

Clean Hands
↓
Clean Skin
↓
New Sterile Cartridge

SETTINGS

Conservative Depth
↓
Low Speed
↓
Small Test Area

TREATMENT

Apply Glide Serum
↓
Work in Small Sections
↓
Vertical + Horizontal + Diagonal
↓
Light Pressure

AFTER

Discard Cartridge
↓
Hydrate
↓
Soothe
↓
Protect
↓
Allow Skin to Recover

Dr. Pen Microneedling Checklist

Before beginning, make sure you can check every box:

☐ My skin is healthy enough to treat today.

☐ My hands and treatment area are clean.

☐ I'm using a new sterile cartridge.

☐ The cartridge is compatible with my Dr. Pen.

☐ I have selected a conservative needle depth.

☐ I have selected an appropriate speed.

☐ I have a suitable glide serum.

☐ I will work in small sections.

☐ I will use light pressure.

☐ I will not excessively repeat passes.

☐ I have gentle aftercare products ready.

☐ I will dispose of the cartridge after treatment.

If you can't check every box, don't start yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use a Dr. Pen for the first time?

Start with clean skin and a new sterile cartridge. Choose conservative depth and speed settings, apply an appropriate glide serum, and work in small sections using light, controlled movements. Follow the instructions supplied with your specific model.

Should I apply serum before microneedling?

A suitable hydrating glide serum can help prevent the cartridge from dragging across the skin. Apply it section by section so it doesn't dry before treatment.

Can I microneedle on dry skin?

We don't recommend repeatedly gliding a microneedling pen over dry skin. Adequate slip helps the device move more smoothly.

How many times should I pass over each area?

Keep the number of passes conservative. A simple vertical, horizontal and diagonal pattern can provide even coverage without repeatedly treating the same location.

Should microneedling cause bleeding?

Bleeding should not be your goal. Mild redness can occur, but more aggressive skin trauma does not automatically produce better cosmetic results.

How hard should I press?

Use light pressure. The motor moves the needles—you should guide the device rather than force it into the skin.

Can I reuse my Dr. Pen cartridge?

No. For hygiene and consistent performance, use a new sterile microneedling cartridge for each treatment and dispose of it afterward.

Can two people share the same Dr. Pen?

The handpiece can potentially be used by different people if properly maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions, but cartridges must never be shared. Every user and every treatment requires a new sterile cartridge.

How long does a microneedling session take?

Treatment time depends on the area, device, cartridge and technique. Don't rush or continue unnecessarily just to reach a specific treatment duration.

Can I use Vitamin C during microneedling?

Avoid assuming that an everyday Vitamin C serum is suitable for use during microneedling. Many cosmetic formulas contain ingredients that may be irritating when used on freshly treated skin. Use only products appropriate for the procedure.

Can I use hyaluronic acid?

A simple, appropriate hyaluronic acid-based product is commonly used as a glide medium because it helps maintain slip while using the pen.

How often should I use my Dr. Pen?

For conventional microneedling, approximately 4–6 weeks between sessions is a conservative general guideline. Treatment intensity and individual recovery should always be considered.

Can I microneedle active acne?

Do not microneedle directly over active, inflamed acne lesions or infected skin.

Can I use Dr. Pen around my eyes?

The eye area requires very conservative settings. Never treat the eyelids or work too close to the eye. If you're uncertain about the safe treatment boundary, seek professional guidance.

Which cartridge should a beginner choose?

A general-purpose cartridge compatible with your particular Dr. Pen is usually easier to learn with than trying to choose a highly specialized cartridge immediately. Check your device's cartridge compatibility guide before purchasing.

Complete Your Dr. Pen Routine

Understanding the technique is only the beginning.

Explore our complete guides before your next treatment:

Dr. Pen Needle Depth Guide

Find recommended starting depths for different areas of the face and body.

View Needle Depth Guide →

Dr. Pen Speed Levels Guide

Learn when to use low, medium and higher speed settings.

View Speed Levels Guide →

Dr. Pen Cartridge Guide

Compare needle counts and Nano cartridges.

View Cartridge Guide →

Dr. Pen Aftercare Guide

Learn what to use—and what to avoid—after microneedling.

View Aftercare Guide →

Dr. Pen Model Comparison

Compare M8S, M9, A11, A6S and other Dr. Pen devices.

Compare Dr. Pen Models →

Ready to Start Your Microneedling Routine?

Choose the Dr. Pen and cartridge system that fits your skincare routine.

Shop Dr. Pen Microneedling Pens →

Shop Replacement Cartridges →

Compare Dr. Pen Models →

Important Safety Information

This guide is provided for general educational and cosmetic-use information only and is not medical advice.

Microneedling may not be appropriate for everyone. Do not use a microneedling device on active infections, open wounds, broken or significantly irritated skin.

If you have an underlying skin or medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medications that affect your skin or healing, or are uncertain whether microneedling is appropriate for you, consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.

Always follow the instructions supplied with your specific Dr. Pen device and compatible cartridges. Professional or deeper microneedling procedures should be performed by appropriately trained professionals where required by applicable regulations.