If you’ve been thinking about microneedling but stopped scrolling the second you saw the price, you’re not alone. One clinic will offer it for £99. Another will quote you £300. And honestly,you wouldn’t be the first person to wonder what on earth makes the difference?
Here’s the short answer: microneedling typically costs between £150 and £300 per session in the UK, with most clinics in Wigan sitting around £180 to £250. You’ll usually need multiple sessions, typically 3 to 6 to see real microneedling results, so the total spend lands somewhere between £450 and £1,500.
But that price gap tells a story, and it’s a story about needle depth, device quality, who’s actually holding the device, and what you’re getting beyond the appointment itself.
Let’s break it down properly.
First, How Does Microneedling Actually Work?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the top layers of your skin.
That triggers a natural healing process. It stimulates collagen production. This helps smooth skin texture. It also makes skin look plumper. Over time, it can improve things like acne scarring.
It’s been used for years to improve skin tone, fade pigmentation, treat stretch marks, soften deep acne scars and reduce fine lines. The microneedling treatment is quick, usually 30 to 60 minutes. But visible results appear over several weeks as your skin remodels.
That short explainer matters when it comes to cost, because the depth those tiny needles reach, the quality of the device, and the skill of the practitioner all directly affect what you pay, and what you actually get out of it.
How Much Does Microneedling Cost in Wigan?
At SF Aesthetics, microneedling starts from £176 per session, with package options that bring the per-session cost down for full courses. Here are the typical price ranges you’ll see across Wigan and Greater Manchester:
- Single session: £200
- Course of 3: £550
- With added serums or growth factors: +£50–£150 per session depending on what’s included
Pricing in Wigan tends to be more sensible than central Manchester or London (which can climb to £400+ per session for the same treatment), without dropping into the unsafe budget end of the market. That makes it a sweet spot proper, quality work without the city centre mark-up.
Why Is Microneedling £99 in One Clinic and £300 in Another?
This is the question we get asked most often, and it’s a completely fair one. The price gap usually comes down to four things:
1. The device
A medical-grade pen like a SkinPen or Raffine costs the clinic hundreds of pounds. A budget knock-off bought online costs under £100.
They don’t perform the same! Cheaper versions are not MHRA approved. They lack key infection control features, like preventing blood backflow. They also do not deliver the same results.
2. Needle depth
Medical microneedling reaches 1.5–2.5mm into the skin, which is where collagen remodelling actually happens. Budget treatments often barely scratch the surface (literally), meaning a temporary flush, but no real change.
3. Who’s holding it
A registered nurse or trained aesthetic practitioner has spent years learning about skin, anatomy, and complications. A “two-day course” therapist hasn’t.
When something goes wrong, which happens at times, that training makes the difference. It can mean a quick fix. Or it can mean a problem that takes months to settle.
4. What’s included
A cheap microneedling appointment is usually just the treatment. A proper medical microneedling session includes a consultation, a skin assessment, medical-grade post-treatment serums, and aftercare guidance to help you actually see results.
If a price feels too good to be true, it usually is, and your skin isn’t the thing you want to gamble on.
What Affects the Cost of Microneedling?
Five main things move the price up or down:
Practitioner training
Nurse-led clinics charge more than beauty salons because the training takes years, not weeks. You’re paying for someone who understands skin types, can spot problems before they happen, and knows how to adjust treatment to suit your skin.
Device quality
SkinPen, Dermapen and similar medical-grade devices deliver consistent, sterile, controlled treatments. Cheap pens vibrate inconsistently, can introduce bacteria, and damage skin unevenly.
Treatment depth
Deeper treatments (1.5mm+) target deep acne scars, stretch marks, and deep lines. They cost more because they need more skill and better devices. They also need more aftercare and a slightly longer recovery.
Add-ons
Medical-grade serums, growth factors, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and exosomes can be added in to boost results. They cost extra because they genuinely change the outcome, they’re not just upsells.
The clinic itself
A clean, properly-regulated clinic with sterilisation protocols, single-use needle cartridges and infection control has higher running costs than someone working out of a spare room. It’s worth it, every time.
Cheap vs Professional Microneedling: What’s the Real Difference?
This is where most people get caught out. The two treatments share a name, but that’s about where the similarity ends.
| Cheap Microneedling (£50–£99) | Professional Microneedling (£150–£300+) | |
|---|---|---|
| Practitioner | Therapist, often minimal training | Nurse, certified dermatologist or trained aesthetic practitioner |
| Device | Budget pen, sometimes reused | Sterile, single-use cartridge, medical device |
| Depth | 0.25–0.5mm (surface only) | 1.0–2.5mm (collagen layer) |
| Consultation | Usually skipped | Full skin assessment included |
| Results | Minimal — a surface glow at best | Real change in texture, scarring and tone |
| Safety | Higher infection risk | Sterile, clinical environment |
| Aftercare | Often none | Medical-grade serums and guidance |
If you only want a temporary “glow” before an event, a cheap treatment might do it for a few days. If you want professional microneedling that truly improves your skin, you need the right kind.
It can fade deep acne scars, smooth texture, and plump fine lines.
How Many Microneedling Sessions Will You Actually Need?
Honest answer: most people need multiple sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, to see real changes. One microneedling session will give you a glow for a week or two. Three sessions start to shift skin texture. Six sessions can genuinely improve skin tone, scarring, plumpness, in a way one-off treatments can’t.
Here’s a realistic plan depending on what you’re treating:
- General glow and skin refresh: 3 sessions
- Fine lines and early ageing: 3 to 4 sessions
- Acne scarring: 4 to 6 sessions
- Deep scarring or stretch marks: 6+ sessions
After your initial course, top-up sessions every 6 to 12 months keep results going. Collagen-building isn’t a one-and-done thing, but the maintenance is much lighter than the initial work, and the cost reflects that.
Is Microneedling Actually Worth the Money?
For most of our clients, yes! But it depends what you’re hoping for.
Microneedling is genuinely brilliant for:
- Deep acne scars and uneven skin texture
- Fine lines and early signs of ageing
- Stretch marks (yes, it works on the body too)
- Dull, tired-looking skin
- Enlarged pores
- Sun damage and pigmentation
It’s not the right treatment for:
- Active acne breakouts (we’d treat the acne first)
- Deep, set wrinkles (you’d want something more targeted)
- Anyone expecting one-session miracles
If you’re spending £600–£1,000 on a full course of microneedling treatment and walking in expecting glass skin after one go, you’ll be disappointed. Go in understanding it’s a process, stick to the plan, and the results genuinely speak for themselves.
What’s Included When You Book Microneedling at SF Aesthetics
We’re a nurse-led clinic. That means every consultation, microneedling visit, and aftercare chat is with a trained nurse. Our nurses have years of training in skin and aesthetics, not a weekend course. Here’s what you actually get when you book with us:
- A proper consultation (not a sales pitch) to understand your skin and your goals
- Medical-grade microneedling using a professional device
- Sterile, single-use needle cartridges every single time
- Post-treatment serums included
- Full aftercare guidance and a follow-up if you need it
- Honest expectations, we’ll tell you if microneedling isn’t right for you
Whether you’re seeing a certified dermatologist, a registered aesthetic nurse, or a beauty therapist makes a huge difference to safety and results. Nurse-led clinics like ours offer medical-level expertise without consultant pricing. Add-ons like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be discussed during your consultation if suitable.
We work with clients across Wigan, Standish, Ashton-in-Makerfield and the wider Greater Manchester area, and we’ll always be straight with you about what your skin actually needs (and what it doesn’t).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is £99 microneedling safe?
Sometimes, but the cheap end of the market often skips sterilisation standards, uses unsuitable devices, and is delivered by undertrained practitioners. The risks include infection, scarring and pigmentation changes. If you’re going budget, check the practitioner’s qualifications, ask what device they use, and read recent reviews carefully.
How many microneedling sessions do I need?
Most people need multiple sessions, usually 3 to 6 depending on what they’re treating. A general skin refresh usually takes 3. Acne scarring or deeper concerns often need 6 or more, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Does microneedling hurt?
It’s not painful, if needed we can apply a numbing cream before the treatment, so most clients describe it as a mild prickling or scratching sensation rather than pain. Your skin feels warm afterwards a bit like mild sunburn, but it settles within 24 to 48 hours.
How long do microneedling results last?
Collagen continues to build for 3 to 6 months after your course finishes, with results typically lasting 6 to 12 months before you’d want a top-up session.
Can I have microneedling on the NHS, or is it covered by insurance?
No to both. Microneedling is a cosmetic treatment, so it isn’t available through the NHS, and it’s not covered by insurance under most private medical policies either. It’s a self-funded treatment, which is exactly why understanding the cost upfront matters.
When will I see microneedling results?
You’ll notice a glow within a week. Texture changes start showing around 4 to 6 weeks in as the healing process and collagen rebuild kicks in. Full results from a complete course are visible 3 to 6 months after your final session, as your skin keeps producing collagen.
Ready to Talk About Your Skin?
