Treatment comparison
SkinPen Microneedling vs Fractora RF Microneedling
Microneedling vs Fractora RF at The London Road Clinic, Newark. Compare mechanical microneedling with fractional RF microneedling for acne scarring, texture and skin rejuvenation.
Side by side
At a glance
| Compare | SkinPen Microneedling | Fractora RF Microneedling |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment type | Mechanical microneedling | Fractional RF microneedling |
| How it works | Precision micro-channels stimulate the body's natural repair response and new collagen production | 600-micron pins deliver radiofrequency energy into the dermis, combining ablative resurfacing with deep thermal collagen and elastin remodelling in a single pulse |
| Main concerns | Acne scarring, enlarged pores, uneven texture, early fine lines | Acne scarring, skin texture, enlarged pores, fine lines, laxity, pigmentation |
| Depth of effect | Surface to mid-dermis via micro-channels | Ablation at 250 to 1000 microns; thermal effect to 2.7mm depth |
| Downtime | Usually low: redness similar to sunburn for 24 to 48 hours | 2 to 5 days: micro-lesions and redness typically settling within one week |
| Sessions | Short course usually recommended | 1 to 6 sessions depending on the concern and energy protocol |
| Discomfort | Well tolerated; numbing cream available for comfort | Topical anaesthetic applied; manageable at standard settings |
| Results timeline | Skin often looks fresher within days; collagen improvement builds over several weeks | Visible improvement typically within 2 weeks; peak results at 2 to 3 months, with clinical improvement at six months |
| Price from | From £180 | Consultation required, priced on assessment |
The science
How each treatment works
SkinPen Microneedling
SkinPen creates precise, controlled micro-channels across the skin's surface. These micro-injuries kick-start a natural repair response that stimulates new collagen production over the following weeks. At The London Road Clinic it is used for concerns including acne scarring, enlarged pores, uneven texture and early fine lines, and is frequently combined with targeted serums or exosomes to maximise results.
Full SkinPen Microneedling details →Fractora RF Microneedling
Fractora uses a handpiece containing a matrix of 600-micron pins to deliver fractional radiofrequency energy precisely into the dermis. At 1kHz, the RF current creates two simultaneous effects in a single pulse. First, ablative micro-lesions form at each pin tip, resurfacing texture, acne scarring and pigmented damage at a depth of 250 to 1000 microns depending on the energy setting selected. Second, as the current flows from the pin tips to the flat side electrodes, it exposes the entire non-ablated papillary and reticular dermis to a sub-necrotic thermal effect, reaching 2.7mm depth at 46 to 51 degrees Celsius. This heat stimulates neo-collagenesis and neo-elastosis, the formation of new collagen and new elastin, in the tissue between the ablation craters. Re-epithelialisation is complete within 48 hours; the deeper collagen remodelling continues for several months. Because the depth and energy are tunable, the treatment can be calibrated to your specific concern and Fitzpatrick skin type. The same tunable energy allows treatment on the body as well as the face, including the abdomen, where Lydia uses it to remodel stretch marks and the skin laxity that can follow pregnancy.
Full Fractora RF Microneedling details →Clinical perspective
Which is right for you?
Same delivery method, a different depth of effect
Both use micro-pins, but SkinPen works mechanically to trigger repair. Fractora adds radiofrequency energy that reaches 2.7mm into the dermis. The addition of RF changes the nature of the treatment entirely.
SkinPen is a precision mechanical microneedling device. Controlled channels in the skin trigger the body's own repair response and stimulate new collagen production over the weeks that follow. It is effective for acne scarring, enlarged pores and texture improvement, and its downtime of 24 to 48 hours makes it accessible. It can also be combined with targeted serums or exosomes to enhance the repair response. Fractora goes further. Each pulse creates two simultaneous effects: fractional ablation at the pin tips that resurfaces texture, scarring and pigmentation at 250 to 1000 microns depth, and a sub-necrotic thermal zone through to 2.7mm depth that drives new collagen and elastin at a level mechanical microneedling cannot reach.
Severity determines the choice
Mild to moderate concerns respond well to SkinPen. For more significant scarring, deeper texture irregularities or where stronger change is needed in fewer sessions, Fractora is the more appropriate tool.
SkinPen is a reliable, well-tolerated option and suits a broad range of people with texture and scarring concerns. But for more established scarring, where the collagen remodelling needed goes deeper than mechanical microneedling can reach, Fractora produces results that SkinPen cannot match. The choice is not about preference for less downtime: it is about matching the treatment to the severity of the concern. Your clinician will assess which is right based on your skin type and the nature of what you want to address.
The clinical evidence is worth knowing
Independent clinical data shows 65% average improvement in skin texture and wrinkles at six months after a single full-face Fractora treatment.
That figure comes from peer-reviewed study data, not from marketing. For the right candidate, a single Fractora session can produce significant, measurable improvement over the months that follow. The trade-off is 2 to 5 days of visible recovery with micro-lesions and redness as a normal part of healing. Your clinician will help you weigh that against your concern and lifestyle at consultation.
Finding the right fit
Who each treatment suits
SkinPen Microneedling
- Adults with mild to moderate acne scarring, enlarged pores or uneven texture who want effective collagen support with lower downtime
- Those who want to combine treatment with exosomes or targeted serums for enhanced repair
- Those building a regular skin programme who want a reliable, repeatable treatment
Fractora RF Microneedling
- Adults with moderate to significant acne scarring or rough skin texture who want more meaningful resurfacing than mechanical microneedling can achieve
- Adults who also want to address laxity, fine lines or pigmentation alongside texture in the same session
- Those prepared for 2 to 5 days of visible recovery in exchange for more impactful, clinically evidenced results
Common questions
Frequently asked
What is the key difference between SkinPen microneedling and Fractora?
Which is better for acne scarring?
How does the downtime compare?
Can SkinPen and Fractora be used together in a treatment plan?
Is Fractora worth the longer downtime?
Are both treatments suitable for darker skin tones?
Can I have either treatment if I have a pacemaker?
Explore each treatment
Read the full treatment details
65 London Road, Newark
Still not sure which is right for you?
Your clinician will assess your skin, talk through both options and give you an honest recommendation, including if neither is the right choice. No obligation to proceed.
Medically reviewed by Dr Shahe Boghossian, Medical Consultant, GMC 5204600 . Last reviewed 23 May 2026.
