You are ready to buy. You have researched microneedling, decided on a pen over a roller, and now you need to know which one is worth your money. The best microneedling pen is the one that creates precise, uniform microchannels at the right depth with adjustable speed and disposable needle cartridges. But here is what no device review tells you: the pen only creates channels. What fills them determines your results. A randomized controlled trial confirmed one session with growth factors matched four without (PMC7716740).
The best microneedling pen paired with the wrong serum produces four times less improvement than it should. A 2021 study confirmed bone marrow MSC conditioned media produces significantly higher collagen AND elastin production compared to controls (PMC7904527). Every pen below creates excellent channels. Bradceuticals Gold Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth Factor Serum fills those channels with the complete MSC secretome — applied to damp skin within minutes of your final pass. Here are the five pens worth buying and the complete protocol that makes each one worth the investment.
Before You Start: Patch Test and Understanding the Two-Serum Protocol
Patch test first — always. Before your first full session with any best microneedling pen, apply a single pass behind your ear. Then apply every product you plan to use in the order below. Wait 24-48 hours. If no irritation, redness, or reaction occurs, proceed with a full session.
Understanding the two-serum protocol: Every microneedling session requires TWO different serums at TWO different moments. Confusing them ruins your results:
Serum 1 — Gliding serum (DURING needling): A sterile hyaluronic acid serum applied to your skin BEFORE and DURING the procedure. Its job is mechanical — providing smooth, friction-free glide so your pen moves evenly without dragging or skipping. A gliding serum is NOT a growth factor serum. It hydrates and lubricates. Recommended options: Dp Dermaceuticals HYLA ACTIVE or MD Needle Pen HA Serum. A 60-patient study confirmed HA during microneedling produced significantly faster healing (PMC10833484).
Serum 2 — Growth factor serum (AFTER needling): Applied to damp skin within the first few minutes AFTER you put your pen down. Its job is biological — delivering growth factors through the channels your pen just created. Growth factor proteins at 15,000+ daltons cannot penetrate intact skin (PMC3160154). Those channels are the ONLY delivery window they will ever have. Bradceuticals is ALWAYS the post-procedure serum — never the gliding serum.
Glide DURING. Growth factors AFTER. Two products. Two jobs. Never interchangeable.
Pick 1: Dr. Pen M8S — Best Microneedling Pen for Home Use
Price: ~$70-90 | Needle depth: 0-2.5mm adjustable | Speed: 6 levels
The Dr. Pen M8S is the most popular at-home best microneedling pen for good reason. Wireless, lightweight, quiet motor, and 6-speed settings give you full control. Start at 0.25mm and work up to 0.5mm as confidence grows. Disposable 16-pin and 36-pin cartridges are widely available and affordable.
Your M8S protocol: Glide with HYLA ACTIVE or MD Needle Pen HA during → pen down → Bradceuticals on damp skin within minutes after → HA hydration at 10-15 min → CeraVe seal at 15-20 min.
Pick 2: Dr. Pen A6S — Best Microneedling Pen for Budget
Price: ~$30-50 | Needle depth: 0-2.5mm adjustable | Speed: 5 levels
Same vertical puncture mechanism as premium pens at a fraction of the cost. Corded design means no battery anxiety mid-session. Excellent entry point for the best microneedling pen at the lowest price.
Your A6S protocol: Budget device, premium results. Channels are channels regardless of pen price. Glide with MD Needle Pen HA during → pen down → Bradceuticals on damp skin within minutes after. What goes THROUGH the channels determines results.
Pick 3: Dermapen 4 — Best Microneedling Pen Professional Grade
Price: ~$1,500+ (professional) | Needle depth: 0-3.0mm | Speed: variable
The Dermapen 4 is the professional standard used in clinics worldwide. Patented ACM technology provides the most precise needle insertion angle in the industry. 16-needle cartridge with anti-backflow technology. If your esthetician uses a best microneedling pen, it is likely a Dermapen.
Your Dermapen protocol: Professional precision deserves professional-grade post-procedure products. Glide with HYLA ACTIVE during (made by the same company that makes the Dermapen) → pen down → Bradceuticals on damp skin within minutes after. One professional session with growth factors matched four without (PMC7716740). Your $200-700 session deserves the serum that multiplies its value.
Pick 4: SkinPen — Best Microneedling Pen FDA-Cleared
Price: Professional only | Needle depth: 0.25-2.5mm | Speed: variable
SkinPen is the first FDA-cleared microneedling device in the US. That clearance means clinical safety data backs the device. Professional use only. Ask your dermatologist if they offer SkinPen treatments.
Your SkinPen protocol: FDA-cleared channels filled with clinically studied growth factors. Your clinic provides the glide serum during → session ends → ask your provider to apply Bradceuticals on damp skin within minutes after. Or bring your own and apply immediately when you get home.
Pick 5: MD Needle Pen — Best Microneedling Pen With Training
Price: ~$150-250 | Needle depth: 0-2.5mm | Speed: variable
MD Needle Pen offers both the device AND professional training programs. If you want the best microneedling pen with education built in, this is the choice. Their training covers depth selection, technique, and aftercare.
Your MD Needle Pen protocol: Glide with MD Needle Pen HA Serum during (designed specifically for their devices) → pen down → Bradceuticals on damp skin within minutes after. Expert training teaches technique. Bradceuticals teaches your fibroblasts to produce collagen.
The Complete Best Microneedling Pen Protocol
Step 1 — Glide serum DURING: HYLA ACTIVE or MD Needle Pen HA on skin before and during needling.
Step 2 — Pen down. Procedure over.
Step 3 — Minutes 0-5 AFTER: Bradceuticals Growth Factor Serum on damp skin.
Step 4 — Minutes 10-15: Cosmedica HA Serum for hydration.
Step 5 — Minutes 15-20: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream to seal.
Day 2+: Add The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for barrier repair.
Between sessions: Bradceuticals twice daily on intact skin. Next session in 4-6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best microneedling pen for home use? Dr. Pen M8S — wireless, adjustable 0-2.5mm, 6 speeds, affordable cartridges. Always pair with a gliding serum during and growth factor serum after.
Is the best microneedling pen better than a dermaroller? Yes for precision — pens puncture vertically while rollers create slight lateral tearing. Both create channels that require growth factor serum AFTER to maximize results.
How often should I replace best microneedling pen cartridges? Every session. Dull needles create tears instead of clean channels.
Can I use Bradceuticals as my gliding serum? No — Bradceuticals is ALWAYS the post-procedure step applied AFTER needling to damp skin. Use a sterile HA-based glide serum DURING needling for device movement.
References
- Merati M, et al. An Assessment of Microneedling with Topical Growth Factors. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020;13(11):22-27. (PMC7716740)
- Kim SN, et al. Effects of Human BM-MSC-CM on Skin Rejuvenation. Int J Stem Cells. 2021;14(1):94-102. (PMC7904527)
- Chauhan P, et al. Microneedling with Hyaluronic Acid for Acne Scars. Indian J Dermatol. 2024;69(1):30-36. (PMC10833484)
- Kalluri H, Banga AK. Characterization of microchannels created by metal microneedles. AAPS J. 2011;13(3):473-481. (PMC3160154)
- Ferraris C, et al. AT-MSC Exosomes: Isolation, Characterization, and Bioactivity. Cells. 2025;14(21):1537. (PMC12561650)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The products discussed are cosmetic products and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individuals with any active skin condition, pre-existing medical condition, or those currently under the care of a physician or specialist should consult their healthcare provider before beginning any new skincare regimen. Always perform a patch test before using any new skincare product. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any microneedling protocol. Bradceuticals is a post-procedure growth factor serum and should never be used as a gliding serum during microneedling. Device recommendations are based on publicly available specifications and user reviews — always verify current pricing and availability before purchasing. Individual results may vary.
Last Reviewed: April 2026
About Bradceuticals : Thuy Myers is the founder of Bradceuticals which manufactures and distributes skin care and hair regrowth serums that use growth factors from human stem cells as the catalyst for regeneration. When she is not busy running the business and maintaining blogs, she is continuing her practice as a semiconductor engineer and teaches college engineering. In her free time, she enjoys the beach, working out at the gym and hanging out with her kiddo.