SkinPen vs Infrared Microneedling: What's the Difference?
SkinPen vs Infrared Microneedling: What's the Difference?
If you're comparing professional microneedling devices for your esthetics practice or medspa, you may be wondering: SkinPen vs Infrared Microneedling—what's the difference?
SkinPen is one of the most recognized names in professional microneedling. Infrared Microneedling™ takes a different approach by combining professional microneedling with integrated light technology, multiple needle configurations, and a broader skin recovery system. For providers, the decision isn't only about which pen creates microchannels. Device investment, cartridge costs, treatment versatility, pricing flexibility, aftercare, and the overall treatment experience can all affect which system makes the most sense for a practice.
Let's compare them.
SkinPen vs Infrared Microneedling at a Glance
Feature | SkinPen | Infrared Microneedling™ |
Professional microneedling | Yes | Yes |
Adjustable treatment settings | Yes | Yes |
Multiple needle configurations | System-specific | 12, 36 & 42 pin |
Integrated light technology | No | Yes |
Recovery-focused system | SkinPen Precision Lift HG available | THz Recovery Wand + Recovery Serum |
Consumable strategy | Proprietary cartridges | Multiple cartridge configurations |
Treatment differentiation | Traditional professional microneedling | Microneedling + integrated light technology |
Provider positioning | Established microneedling brand | Emerging treatment technology |
The biggest difference is that Infrared Microneedling is designed as more than a standalone pen. The system is built around the treatment itself, needle versatility, and post-treatment recovery.
What Is SkinPen?
SkinPen Precision is a professional microneedling device manufactured by Crown Aesthetics. The device uses mechanical microneedling to create controlled microchannels in the skin. SkinPen is well known within medical aesthetics and has FDA-cleared indications for specific uses.
Its biggest strengths include brand recognition, an established professional presence, and standardized treatment protocols. For some practices, those factors alone make SkinPen attractive. But providers building or scaling a medspa may also want to compare the economics and versatility of the entire treatment system.
What Is Infrared Microneedling?
Infrared Microneedling™ combines professional microneedling with integrated light technology in one handheld system.
The Infrared Needle Pen offers:
7 adjustable speeds
12-pin cartridges
36-pin cartridges
42-pin cartridges
Adjustable treatment settings
Integrated LED technology
A complementary skin recovery system
Rather than limiting the provider to one needle configuration, Infrared Microneedling gives professionals multiple cartridge options that can be incorporated into their treatment protocols.
That versatility is one of the biggest differences between the two systems.
Difference #1: More Needle Versatility
Every client isn't coming into your treatment room with the same skin, treatment area, or aesthetic goals. That's why needle versatility matters.
The Infrared Needle Pen offers 12-pin, 36-pin, and 42-pin cartridge configurations, allowing providers to select from multiple needle arrangements within the same device ecosystem.
This gives professionals more flexibility when developing treatment protocols within their training and scope of practice. For a medspa offering microneedling across a diverse client base, having multiple cartridge configurations can make one device more adaptable to the treatment menu.
Difference #2: Consumable Costs Matter
The purchase price of a microneedling device is only part of its true cost.
Every appointment also requires consumables.
Over hundreds of treatments, cartridge costs can significantly affect the profitability of a microneedling service. Infrared Microneedling is designed with provider-friendly consumable costs in mind.
Imagine performing 20, 50, or 100 microneedling treatments every month. Even a relatively small difference in consumable cost can become significant as treatment volume increases.
Lower recurring costs can also give a practice more room to decide how it wants to price and market treatments.
Difference #3: More Freedom to Run Promotions
Promotions can be incredibly useful for introducing clients to a new service.
A medspa may want to run:
New-client microneedling specials
Seasonal skin promotions
Package pricing
Model calls
Membership offers
Combination-treatment promotions
Limited-time introductory pricing
But every discount comes out of the treatment margin.
When consumable costs are manageable, providers have more room in their margins to run strategic deals without allowing disposable costs to consume an unnecessarily large portion of the treatment revenue. That can be particularly valuable for a new esthetician or medspa trying to build a microneedling clientele. A $99 introductory treatment, for example, looks very different financially when the disposable cost is $10 versus $50.
The goal isn't necessarily to become the cheapest provider.
It's to have enough margin to decide when a promotion makes business sense.
Difference #4: Infrared Microneedling Adds Light Technology
Traditional microneedling relies on the mechanical action of needles.
Infrared Microneedling adds integrated light technology directly into the treatment system, creating a different treatment concept for providers who want to offer something beyond conventional microneedling. This also creates a valuable marketing distinction.
Instead of advertising the same basic microneedling service available at dozens of surrounding practices, providers can introduce Infrared Microneedling as its own treatment category.
In a competitive aesthetics market, differentiation matters.
Difference #5: Skin Recovery Is Part of the System
A professional microneedling treatment doesn't end when the pen turns off.
Post-treatment recovery is part of the client experience.
Infrared Microneedling was developed around a broader skin recovery system, including the:
Infrared Needle Pen
The professional microneedling device used during treatment.
THz Recovery Wand
A complementary technology designed to be incorporated into the Infrared Microneedling treatment and recovery experience according to provider protocols.
Recovery Serum
A professional recovery product designed to complement the Infrared Microneedling system and support the post-treatment skincare experience. Together, these products allow providers to create a more complete treatment protocol rather than viewing microneedling as an isolated procedure. It also creates opportunities for providers to build premium protocols, treatment packages, and aftercare offerings around the service.
Difference #6: Established Brand vs Emerging Technology
SkinPen has a major advantage: brand recognition.
Clients and providers may already recognize the SkinPen name.
Infrared Microneedling takes the opposite position.
Instead of competing primarily through an established device name, it gives providers an opportunity to introduce an emerging treatment concept to their market.
For some practices, established recognition is the priority.
For others, offering something their competitors don't already have can be equally valuable.
Which Is Better for Estheticians?
An esthetician comparing SkinPen vs Infrared Microneedling should consider:
Scope-of-practice requirements
Device investment
Consumable costs
Needle versatility
Training
Treatment pricing
Client demographics
Post-treatment protocols
Marketing strategy
Potential return on investment
Providers should also verify the regulatory status and intended use of any professional microneedling device they're considering and follow applicable state licensing and scope-of-practice requirements.
Which Is Better for a Medspa?
For an established medical aesthetics practice that prioritizes a highly recognizable microneedling brand, SkinPen may be attractive. For providers looking for multiple needle configurations, manageable consumable costs, integrated light technology, promotional flexibility, and a broader treatment and recovery ecosystem, Infrared Microneedling offers a different approach.
The business model matters just as much as the device.
Ask yourself:
What will each treatment cost me?
How much flexibility will I have with pricing?
Can I create packages and promotions while protecting my margin?
Can I customize my treatment protocols?
What makes this service different from microneedling down the street?
Those questions can tell you much more than simply comparing device names.
SkinPen vs Infrared Microneedling: The Bottom Line
SkinPen offers an established professional microneedling platform with significant brand recognition.
Infrared Microneedling focuses on treatment versatility and a broader provider ecosystem: multiple needle configurations, integrated light technology, provider-friendly consumables, greater room for strategic promotions, and complementary recovery technology. For today's esthetician or medspa owner, choosing a microneedling device isn't simply about buying a pen.
It's about choosing the system you want to build your treatment around.
Explore the Infrared Microneedling System
Looking for an alternative approach to professional microneedling?
Explore the Infrared Needle Pen, professional cartridges, THz Recovery Wand, and Recovery Serum to discover how the Infrared Microneedling system can fit into your treatment menu and business model.
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