Microneedling
Medical-Grade Microneedling in Rainford, St Helens
Medical-grade microneedling is a results-driven skin treatment that uses a professional Doctor Pen and sterile single-use cartridges to create tiny controlled micro channels in the skin. Those channels trigger your body's own healing response, stimulating collagen and elastin production to improve texture, firmness, acne scarring, pigmentation, pore size and overall skin quality over time.
At Hannah Clarke Advanced Skin and Beauty in Rainford, microneedling is delivered by Emma, an advanced skin therapist, founder of Skin Method and fully insured practitioner with over two years of experience specifically in medical-grade microneedling. A single medical-grade microneedling treatment is £75, or £240 for a course of four sessions.
Your practitionerEmmaAdvanced skin therapistWhat Is Medical-grade Microneedling?
Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy or skin needling, is a treatment that uses very fine sterile needles to create tiny controlled channels in the skin. Those micro channels trigger the skin's natural healing response, which is what drives new collagen and elastin production over the following weeks. Over a course of treatments, the skin becomes firmer, smoother, more evenly toned and better hydrated.
Medical-grade microneedling uses a professional device (in this case a Doctor Pen) with sterile single-use cartridges. Needle depth is adjusted precisely to the area being treated. That is very different from an at-home derma roller, which cannot control depth reliably, cannot penetrate the skin as consistently, and cannot be sterilised properly between uses.
The Device: Doctor Pen vs At-home Derma Rollers
Emma uses a Doctor Pen, a professional medical-grade microneedling device with sterile single-use cartridges. There are two important reasons this matters:
At-home derma rollers cannot match either of these. Their needle depth is fixed, they penetrate the skin inconsistently, and the risk of infection or scarring rises the more they are reused. Professional microneedling and at-home derma rolling are not the same treatment.
Your practitionerRainfordMeet Emma, Your Advanced Skin Therapist
Microneedling at Hannah Clarke is delivered by Emma, an advanced skin therapist and founder of Skin Method. Emma has been performing microneedling for over two years and is trained in advanced microneedling, chemical peels, Dermaplane, Hydrafacial and professional medical-grade skincare. She is fully insured and tailors every treatment to the individual client, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Every appointment starts with a consultation to assess your skin, understand your goals and confirm the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
What Microneedling Treats
Microneedling is fantastic for a wide range of skin concerns, including:
- Acne scarring
- Fine lines and early signs of ageing
- Enlarged pores
- Pigmentation and uneven skin tone
- Dullness and lack of glow
- Overall skin texture and firmness
- Loss of elasticity and collagen depletion
It is less suitable for active acne (broken, inflamed skin should not be needled), severe rosacea flare-ups, or any condition that needs medical treatment before we work on the surface. If any of those apply, Emma will let you know at consultation and recommend a suitable alternative.
Who Microneedling Is for (And Who It Isn't)
Microneedling suits adults of all ages. Younger clients often use it for acne scarring, prevention and building healthy collagen early. More mature clients love it for collagen stimulation, firmness and reducing visible signs of ageing.
Emma will not perform microneedling on anyone with:
- Active acne infections
- Cold sores
- Broken skin or open wounds in the treatment area
- Recent sunburn
- Certain skin conditions (assessed at consultation)
- Current pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Roaccutane, or Roaccutane use within the last 6 months
Safety always comes first. Consultation is included and non-negotiable for every treatment.
No Filter, Just Results
How to Prep for Your Microneedling Appointment
The right prep gives the best possible result. In the days before your appointment:
- Stop retinol around 5 days before your treatment
- Avoid all acids and exfoliation for a few days beforehand
- Avoid fake tan
- Avoid waxing on the treatment area
- Avoid excessive sun exposure
- Arrive with clean skin if possible (no make-up)
What Happens During Your Microneedling Appointment
A full appointment takes around 60 to 75 minutes and follows this structure:
If you have chosen the Exosomes upgrade (see pricing below), those are worked into the microneedling stage of the appointment for advanced recovery and collagen stimulation.
Aftercare and Downtime
Most clients look like they have had mild sunburn for 24 to 48 hours after their treatment. Some experience light tightness or a little flaking in the days that follow. The overwhelming majority return to work the next day without needing extra downtime.
Following aftercare properly has a huge impact on your long-term results. In the days after your appointment:
For the first 24 hours
- No make-up
- Avoid touching or picking the skin
- Use only the gentle products Emma recommends
For the first 5 days
- No exercise or anything that raises body heat
- No swimming
- No hot showers, saunas or steam
- No active skincare (retinol, acids, exfoliants)
For the first 7 days
- Avoid direct sun exposure
- Wear SPF 50 daily as an absolute non-negotiable
Microneedling Results, When Will I See Them?
Many clients notice a healthy glow within a few days of their appointment, but collagen takes time to rebuild. The best visible improvements usually appear between 4 and 6 weeks after each treatment.
For long-term results (acne scarring, fine lines, sustained firmness) Emma recommends a course of 4 to 6 sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart over around 6 months. A single session will give you a noticeable glow but consistency is what delivers the real transformation.
Microneedling vs Facials, Chemical Peels and Laser
Microneedling sits in a different category to most other skin treatments because it works deeper and stimulates collagen naturally, without heat. A short guide:
The best treatment always depends on your skin goals. Emma will recommend the right approach at consultation and combine treatments where that gets a better result.
Is Microneedling Safe for Darker Skin Tones?
Yes. Microneedling is generally safe for all skin tones (Fitzpatrick I to VI) because it does not rely on heat like laser treatments. That removes the main risk factor for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin.
Emma adjusts treatment settings according to your individual skin type and always carries out a thorough consultation and, where appropriate, a patch test before the first full treatment. If you have Fitzpatrick IV, V or VI skin and have previously been told a treatment 'is not suitable' for you, microneedling may well be a better option than laser.
Microneedling Prices in Rainford
Transparent pricing, no hidden costs. Prices reflect the products and combinations included:
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Medical Microneedling | £75 |
| Microneedling course of 4 | £240 |
Prices may vary slightly depending on the practitioner carrying out your treatment. Check the booking page for the latest prices and availability.
Microneedling: The Questions Everyone Asks
What is microneedling and how does it work?
Microneedling uses fine sterile needles to create tiny controlled channels in the skin. That triggers the body's natural healing response, stimulating new collagen and elastin. Over time this improves skin texture, firmness, scarring, pigmentation and overall skin quality.
How many microneedling sessions do I need?
For a healthy glow, a single session will give you a noticeable result within a few days. For long-term results (acne scarring, fine lines, sustained firmness), Emma recommends a course of 4 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, over around 6 months.
Does microneedling hurt?
Most clients tolerate microneedling really well. Numbing cream is applied around 20 to 30 minutes before the treatment starts if needed. The sensation is more prickly than painful, and the icy globe massage and calming mask afterwards settle the skin quickly.
How much does microneedling cost in Rainford?
A single medical-grade microneedling session is £75. A course of 4 sessions is £240, which works out at £60 per session and is the best value if you want lasting results. Exosomes are available as an advanced upgrade at additional cost.
What is the downtime after microneedling?
Most clients look like they have had mild sunburn for 24 to 48 hours. Some experience slight tightness or light flaking. The majority return to work the next day. Full aftercare covers no make-up for 24 hours, no exercise, swimming, hot showers or active skincare for 5 days, and no sun for 7 days with daily SPF.
Is microneedling safe for darker skin tones?
Yes. Microneedling is generally safe for all skin tones because it does not rely on heat like laser. That reduces the main risk factor for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Emma adjusts settings for your individual skin type and always carries out a thorough consultation beforehand.
What's the difference between professional microneedling and derma rolling at home?
A significant difference. Emma uses a Doctor Pen, a medical-grade device with adjustable, precise needle depth and sterile single-use cartridges. At-home derma rollers have fixed shallow needles, cannot be truly sterilised and cannot control depth. Professional microneedling and home derma rolling are not the same treatment.
What are Exosomes and should I add them to my microneedling?
Exosomes are an advanced upgrade that can accelerate recovery and enhance collagen stimulation for even better results. They are worked into the microneedling stage of the appointment and are ideal for clients looking to maximise the impact of each session. Available at an additional cost, discussed at consultation.
Can I have microneedling on Roaccutane?
No. Microneedling should not be performed on anyone currently taking Roaccutane, or within 6 months of finishing a course. This is to protect the skin from delayed healing and scarring risk.
Can I combine microneedling with Dermaplane?
Yes. A microneedling + Dermaplane combination is £75 and is a lovely way to prep the skin. Dermaplane removes vellus hair and dead surface cells, allowing the microneedling product to absorb more effectively.
Is microneedling suitable for acne scars?
Yes, microneedling is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for acne scarring. Emma has seen significant improvements in clients with long-term acne scarring after completing a course, both in scar depth and overall smoothness.
Microneedling vs facials, chemical peels and laser. Which is best?
Microneedling sits in a different category to most other skin treatments because it works deeper and stimulates collagen naturally, without heat. A short guide: • Microneedling works deeper than most facials and stimulates your own collagen production. Best for texture, firmness, scarring, pores, general skin quality. • Chemical peels are better for surface pigmentation, uneven tone and dullness. They resurface the top layer of skin rather than triggering deeper collagen. • Laser treatments can be more aggressive with longer downtime. They rely on heat and are better for very specific concerns like sun damage, telangiectasia or larger areas of pigmentation. The best treatment always depends on your skin goals. Emma will recommend the right approach at consultation and combine treatments where that gets a better result.
Microneedling prices in Rainford
Transparent pricing, no hidden costs. Prices reflect the products and combinations included:
- Medical-grade microneedling (single session): £75
- Medical-grade microneedling + Dermaplane (single session): £75
- Course of 4 microneedling sessions: £240 (best value, saves £20)
- Exosomes upgrade for advanced recovery and enhanced collagen stimulation: additional cost, price on consultation
Emma recommends the course of 4 for anyone wanting significant, lasting improvements. It works out at £60 per session and delivers the collagen build a single session cannot.
While You're in the Chair...
Book Microneedling
Hannah Clarke Advanced Skin and Beauty is at 38 Church Road, Rainford, St Helens, WA11 8HD. Book online or call 07514 307 552 to reserve your microneedling appointment with Emma.
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