Microneedling with PRP (SkinPen)

SKIN Medical Spa performs microneedling using the SkinPen Precision System — the first FDA-cleared microneedling device — with the option to add platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for enhanced collagen induction. The treatment addresses fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, acne scars, uneven skin texture, and stretch marks on the face, neck, and chest. Topical numbing is applied 20 minutes prior; minimal downtime with possible mild redness or bruising for a few days. Physician-supervised at the Union Street clinic.

Microneedling with PRP at SKIN Medical Spa uses the SkinPen Precision System, the first microneedling device to receive FDA clearance for safety and effectiveness — a meaningful clinical distinction that separates it from the many non-validated dermarollers and automated pens used in non-medical settings. The SkinPen uses a sterile, single-use cartridge with 14 precisely engineered micro-needles that penetrate the skin at adjustable depths between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm, allowing the physician to customise treatment intensity based on target concern and facial zone. The microneedling mechanism creates thousands of controlled micro-injuries in the dermis, triggering the skin's natural wound-healing cascade. Fibroblasts are activated, collagen and elastin synthesis increases, and growth factors flood the treated area — resulting in progressive skin remodelling over six to eight weeks following each session. When PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is applied to the skin immediately after microneedling, the micro-channels created by the needles allow the concentrated growth factors in PRP — including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) — to penetrate far deeper than topical application alone could achieve. The combination of SkinPen microneedling and PRP is particularly effective for fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, and forehead; enlarged pores across the nose and cheeks; atrophic acne scars, including icepick and boxcar subtypes; generalised skin texture irregularities; reduced skin firmness in the neck and décolletage; and stretch marks on the abdomen or thighs when treated as an off-face application. Before treatment, a topical numbing gel is applied and left for 20 minutes to maximise comfort during the procedure. Mild post-treatment redness, pinpoint bleeding, and occasional bruising are normal and typically resolve within two to four days. Three to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart are recommended for optimal results, with improvements continuing to develop as collagen matures over three to six months. Patients visit SKIN Medical Spa from across San Francisco — including the Marina, Pacific Heights, Noe Valley, and the Mission — as well as from Marin County and the East Bay.