Top Rated 2026
In brief
- The Dermapen 4 is the fourth generation of the Dermapen brand, an electric pen for microneedling. According to the manufacturer the head has 16 needles, the pen makes up to 1,920 channels per second and the depth is adjustable. Moons is getting the Dermapen 4 soon.
- We haven't found an independent comparison with other microneedling pens. The figures about the Dermapen 4 in this piece come from the manufacturer.
- When choosing a salon, what counts is who operates the pen, whether the depth is set per zone, whether the needles are sterile and single-use and whether your skin is looked at first.
- A course is four to six treatments, with three to four weeks in between.
- At Moons, microneedling with the Dermapen costs €89.00 to €119.00 per session.
Written by Nilay, owner and beauty therapist at Moons BeautyUpdated on
What is a Dermapen 4?
The Dermapen 4 is the fourth generation of the Dermapen brand: an electric pen with a head full of very fine needles that moves quickly up and down. This creates thousands of tiny channels in the top layer of your skin. Your skin repairs them and makes new collagen and elastin in the process.
Microneedling is the treatment, the pen is the device. How such a pen works and what you feel during and after a treatment is covered in dermapen and microneedling.
What counts with any pen is who operates it: the right depth per zone and skin that is ready for it at that moment.
What is new about the Dermapen 4?
This is what the manufacturer's pages say. We haven't found an independent comparison with other pens, so these are the manufacturer's own words.
16 needles
According to the manufacturer the head has 16 needles.
Up to 1,920 channels per second
Those are the manufacturer's figures, not an independent measurement.
Adjustable depth
According to the manufacturer, 3.0 mm is the maximum setting of the device. Which depth suits a treatment is chosen per zone.
System against backflow of fluid
The manufacturer mentions a system against backflow of fluid.
CE marking and ISO 13485
According to the manufacturer the Dermapen 4 has a CE marking and ISO 13485.
What is the Dermapen 4 used for?
The manufacturer mentions four uses. They are also concerns people book microneedling for at Moons.
Small scars from acne
Dents and irregularities that remain once the spots are gone. What is achievable depends on the type of scar and how long it has been there. More in acne scars.
Fine lines
Your skin becomes firmer, so lines look softer. Microneedling doesn't fill deep wrinkles.
Enlarged pores
Your skin looks smoother and make-up sits differently on it.
Dull skin
After one or two sessions your skin often already looks smoother and fresher.
Dermapen 4, another pen or a dermaroller?
For the Dermapen 4 the figures come from the manufacturer. For another pen the information is with the manufacturer of that pen.
| Topic | Dermapen 4 | Another microneedling pen | Dermaroller at home |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | An electric pen whose head of needles moves up and down | Works in the same way: an electric pen with needles | You roll the needles over your skin |
| Number of needles | 16, according to the manufacturer | Given by the manufacturer of that pen | A roller with needles |
| Speed | Up to 1,920 channels per second, according to the manufacturer | Given by the manufacturer of that pen | You set the pace yourself with your hand |
| Depth | Adjustable. The maximum setting is 3.0 mm according to the manufacturer. You choose the depth per zone | Ask the salon which depth is used on which zone | You have no control over the depth |
| Hygiene | A system against backflow of fluid, according to the manufacturer | Ask the salon about sterile, single-use needles | You use the same roller again and again |
| Who does it | A practitioner in a salon or clinic | A practitioner in a salon or clinic | You, at home |
We haven't found an independent comparison between the Dermapen 4 and other pens. The table therefore gives no verdict on which pen is better. If you want to do something for your skin at home, a good routine with sun protection does more: see the order of your skincare.
What to look for when choosing a salon?
You can ask these questions at any salon, even if the pen is a Dermapen 4.
Who operates the pen?
Ask who will treat you. What counts is how they assess your skin and operate the pen.
The depth is set per zone
Around your eyes it should be less deep than on your cheeks. Ask which depth is used where.
The needles are sterile and single-use
Ask about it. A new, sterile needle for every client is the norm.
Your skin is looked at first
Microneedling shouldn't be the first treatment for someone whose skin isn't known yet. With us you start with the first skin appointment.
You are told when it isn't possible
With pregnancy and breastfeeding a salon should say no, and with active, inflamed spots or a skin infection it should wait.
You get an explanation of the days after
What to avoid, when make-up is allowed again and why sun protection is part of it. What we advise is in aftercare for microneedling.
When it's possible, and when not.
At Moons we first check whether your skin is ready for it. These are the situations in which microneedling is possible and those in which we wait or say no.
A good idea if
- You have small scars or irregularities left over from old spots
- You see fine lines appearing and your skin feels less firm
- You have enlarged pores or dull skin
- You want to commit to a course and a routine at home
Check with us first
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Then we don't do microneedling
- Active, inflamed spots or a skin infection. Then we wait until your skin has calmed down
- Recent sun or sunbed. Then we wait about two weeks
- Blood thinners or medication that makes your skin vulnerable, such as isotretinoin. Check with your GP or specialist first
- Recent botox or fillers. Mention it when you book and ask your doctor how long to wait
- You get cold sores easily. Tell us beforehand, because microneedling can trigger an outbreak
- A spot that changes shape or colour. See your GP about that first
What does a treatment look like?
This is how microneedling currently goes at Moons, with the Dermapen. How the Dermapen 4 feels and how long it leaves you red, we will only know from our own experience once it is here.
Beforehand
Numbing
A numbing cream takes twenty minutes to work. After that you mainly feel vibration and a slight scratchy feeling.
The treatment
Zone by zone
We go over your face zone by zone, always at the depth that suits that area, and work in the active ingredients at the same time. A treatment takes 50 minutes, with LED therapy 75.
The days after
Red and dry
Your skin is red for one to two days, roughly like after a day in the sun, and may be dry or flake slightly for a few days after that. Make-up is fine from the third day, ideally you leave it off for two weeks. What is allowed when is in aftercare for microneedling.
After a course
The result
You see the full result after about three months.
How many treatments do you need?
A course is four to six treatments, with three to four weeks in between. Your skin needs about four weeks to renew itself, and we follow that rhythm.
The collagen keeps building in the months after the course. That is why you only see the full result after about three months. After the course comes maintenance.
You pay per treatment. After each one you decide for yourself whether to continue.
What does a course at Moons cost?
You pay per session. Because you come for a course, the amounts for four to six treatments are shown too. These are the prices for microneedling at Moons.
| Treatment | Per session | Usual course | Full course (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microneedling with hyaluronic acid | €89.00 | 4 to 6 sessions | €356.00 to €534.00 |
| Microneedling with PDRN and LED | €119.00 | 4 to 6 sessions | €476.00 to €714.00 |
Prices elsewhere may differ. All variants are on microneedling in Enschede and all prices on the prices page.
Where the salon stops and the doctor begins.
Microneedling in a salon works in the top layer of your skin. If you have deep scars or a skin condition, or take strong medication for your skin, see your GP or dermatologist first. Also contact your GP if you get increasing pain, pus, fever or redness that gets worse after two to three days instead of better.
Frequently asked questions about Dermapen 4
What is a Dermapen 4?
The fourth generation of the Dermapen brand: an electric pen with a head full of very fine needles, used for microneedling. According to the manufacturer the head has 16 needles and the depth is adjustable. More about the treatment is in microneedling.
How many needles does a Dermapen 4 have?
According to the manufacturer the head has 16 needles. According to the manufacturer the pen makes up to 1,920 channels per second.
What is the difference between the Dermapen 4 and the Dermapen 3?
According to the manufacturer the Dermapen 4 makes up to 1,920 channels per second. The maximum depth setting is 3.0 mm according to the manufacturer. Those are maximum settings of the device. Which depth a treatment uses is chosen per zone.
What does a Dermapen 4 treatment cost?
That differs per salon. At Moons, microneedling with the Dermapen costs €89.00 to €119.00 per session, depending on the cocktail and whether you add LED therapy. You'll find all prices on the prices page.
Does a Dermapen 4 hurt?
With microneedling at Moons a numbing cream goes on first, which takes twenty minutes to work. After that you mainly feel vibration and a slight scratchy feeling. Around your nose and on your forehead it is a bit more sensitive.
Is a Dermapen 4 safe?
According to the manufacturer the Dermapen 4 has a CE marking and a system against backflow of fluid. Beyond that, a careful treatment depends on who operates the pen, on the depth per zone, on sterile, single-use needles and on skin that is ready for it. With pregnancy and breastfeeding we don't do microneedling, and with active, inflamed spots or a skin infection we wait.
Is a Dermapen 4 better than a dermaroller?
They work differently. With a pen the head of needles moves up and down and you choose the depth per zone. With a roller at home you have no control over the depth and you risk irritation and damage. More about pen and roller is in dermapen.
Can a Dermapen 4 be used for acne scars?
The manufacturer mentions acne scars as a use. At Moons, microneedling is most often booked for small scars from acne, and in practice we see them become shallower over a course. With active, inflamed spots we wait until your skin is calm. More in acne scars.
How long are you red after a Dermapen 4?
After microneedling at Moons you are usually red for one to two days, roughly like after a day in the sun. After that your skin may be dry or flake slightly for a few days. Make-up is fine from the third day. What is allowed when is in aftercare for microneedling.
What is the difference between a Dermapen 4 and a SkinPen?
Both are microneedling pens, from different brands, and they work in the same way. We haven't found an independent comparison between the Dermapen 4 and the SkinPen, so we don't say which of the two is better.
How many treatments with a Dermapen 4 do you need?
A course is four to six treatments, with three to four weeks in between. You see the full result after about three months. After the course comes maintenance.
Does Moons work with the Dermapen 4?
Moons is getting the Dermapen 4 soon. Microneedling is already possible now, with the Dermapen. The treatment, the variants and booking are on microneedling in Enschede. You start with the first skin appointment.
From reading to doing
