An esthetician in gloves holding a microneedling pen near a client's cheek in a bright treatment room

Microneedling

How Much Does Microneedling Cost in Chicago? A SkinPen Price Guide

By Yana A., founder and lead estheticianPublished November 9, 20269 min read

Microneedling prices are hard to compare, because two quotes that look alike can describe very different treatments. This guide explains the microneedling cost in Chicago at our Streeterville studio, what changes the number and what to ask before you book. We show our prices as listed today and say plainly where something depends on your skin.

Short answer

Full-face SkinPen microneedling at YA Skin Studio is $385 per session (about 75 minutes). Neck microneedling is $100. Most plans use three to six sessions, so a series costs several times the single-session price. Add-ons such as a salmon DNA serum (+$30) or a post-treatment mask (+$20) are optional.

How Much Does Microneedling Cost in Chicago?

At YA Skin Studio, a full-face SkinPen microneedling session is $385 and takes about 75 minutes, numbing time included. Neck microneedling is $100 for about 15 minutes. Our page states there are no membership tie-ins or hidden add-on fees.

Prices across Chicago vary widely by provider, device and what is included, so a single “average” would not tell you much. It is more useful to learn what drives the price and compare quotes on the same terms.

Treat any number as the price of one session. Microneedling works by building collagen over time, so most people book a series.

An esthetician giving a client a facial treatment at YA Skin Studio in Chicago
A treatment room at YA Skin Studio in Streeterville.

What Decides the Price of Microneedling?

Several things change what you pay, and they are worth asking about in this order:

  • The device. Professional microneedling pens differ in depth control, needle quality and whether they are cleared by the FDA.
  • Who performs it. Training and experience affect both safety and how well the depth is matched to your skin.
  • The area treated. A full face takes longer than a neck, so it costs more.
  • Add-ons. Serums, masks and other extras are often priced on top.
  • How many sessions you book. Some studios discount a prepaid package. Ask whether a package locks you in or can be paused.

SkinPen Microneedling Price at YA Skin Studio

Here is what is listed on our microneedling page today. Prices can change, so confirm when you book.

PriceSession timeNotes
Full-face SkinPen$385About 75 minDepth set for your skin and concern
Neck microneedling$100About 15 minStandalone or paired with a full-face treatment
Salmon DNA serum+$30Added to sessionOptional add-on
Post-treatment mask+$20Added to sessionApplied right after treatment to calm skin

Full face plus neck therefore comes to $485 before any add-ons. A serum or mask is a choice you make at your visit, not a requirement.

Overwhelmed by the options?

Answer a few quick questions about your skin and goals. Takes about 60 seconds.

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How Many Sessions Do You Need, and What Does a Series Cost?

Our protocols usually involve three to six sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Milder texture concerns may improve in about three, while deeper acne scarring often takes five or six. We set the plan at your consultation.

This lines up with the published literature. A review in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal reports that a minimum of four to six sessions is needed for significant improvement of acne scars. That evidence is mostly small studies, so treat it as a guide, not a promise.

At the listed single-session price, three sessions of full-face SkinPen add up to $1,155 and six to $2,310. That is simple arithmetic and does not include add-ons. Ask about current series options at your consultation.

Why Is There Such a Gap Between Quotes?

A low price can be perfectly fair, and it can also reflect a different treatment. The gap usually comes down to equipment, supplies and training.

One concrete check is the device. When the FDA reviewed the SkinPen Precision System, it created a new category called “microneedling device for aesthetic use.” The FDA decision summary states the cleared use: improving the appearance of facial acne scars in adults aged 22 or older. It also notes the device is for prescription use, and that needle depths above 1.5 mm have not been clinically evaluated.

That does not make every other pen unsafe. It does mean you should ask which device is used and what is known about it, especially if the price is far below the rest.

Five Questions to Ask Before You Book

These questions let you compare studios on the same footing, whatever the headline price.

  1. 1

    Which device do you use?

    Ask for the name and whether it is FDA cleared. A clear answer is a good sign.

  2. 2

    Who performs the treatment?

    Ask about their training and how long they have done microneedling.

  3. 3

    What does the price include?

    Check numbing, aftercare products, add-ons and tax so quotes compare fairly.

  4. 4

    Is the needle cartridge single-use and sterile?

    It should be new for every client.

  5. 5

    How many sessions will I likely need?

    A good answer depends on your skin and goals, not a script.

At-Home Microneedling vs Professional Treatment

At-home rollers and pens cost less up front, which is why they come up in every price search. The trade-off is control. Professional treatment uses a sterile, single-use cartridge and depth chosen for the area, and a trained person looks at your skin first.

The American Academy of Dermatology page on at-home use lists the main risks, including infection from non-sterile devices, scarring from needles that are too deep or dull, and a higher chance of complications for people with melasma, rosacea, eczema or acne-prone skin. For those skin types in particular, it is worth a professional opinion before you buy a device.

Are Add-Ons Worth Paying For?

Our menu lists two: a salmon DNA serum (+$30), described as a purified serum rich in polynucleotides, and a post-treatment mask (+$20) applied right after to calm the skin.

Start with the base treatment if budget matters. The microneedling is what drives the result, and an add-on can be chosen at any visit. Ask what an extra is for and what it is made of.

What Is Included, and What Recovery Looks Like

A visit starts with a short consultation on your tone, texture and goals, then numbing cream, then the SkinPen treatment. We also send you home with the products to use afterward.

Expect redness similar to a mild sunburn for 24 to 48 hours. Most clients are back to normal activity the next day, and mild flaking can occur as the skin renews. Collagen keeps building for months, so results develop after the visit instead of on the day.

Plan the day after a session to be light, and avoid scheduling it right before a big event.

Who Should Wait or Skip Microneedling?

We usually wait if you are pregnant, have an active breakout or infection in the area, or took Accutane in the past six months. Tell us about all of this at booking. Skin that is reactive, or conditions such as rosacea or melasma, need a conversation first because the risk of a flare is higher.

If microneedling is not a good fit, we will say so and suggest another route, which can save you money as well as discomfort.

How to Prepare and Care for Your Skin Afterward

  • Pause retinol. Stop it three days ahead, or a week if it is prescription strength.
  • Avoid sun. Skip sunbeds and heavy sun exposure beforehand.
  • Keep aftercare simple. Use the products we send home, cleanse gently with lukewarm water and pat dry.
  • Use a mineral SPF 30+ every morning, and hold off on retinols and strong actives for about a week.

Paying for a Series

If the total feels large, our financing page explains that series can be split into monthly payments through Cherry, our financing partner. It says applying takes a few minutes, there is no hard credit check and 0% APR options are available for qualified applicants.

You can also begin with a single session and see how your skin responds before committing to more.

Key Takeaways

  • Price per session is only part of the cost. Plan for a series, usually three to six visits, not one.
  • Ask what the number includes. Device, numbing, aftercare products and add-ons can all be priced separately.
  • The device matters. SkinPen is the device FDA reviewed when it created the microneedling category, so ask any studio which device it uses.
  • A very low quote deserves questions. Ask about the device, single-use needle cartridges and who performs the treatment.
  • Add-ons are optional. You can start with the base treatment and decide later.
  • Our price: $385 for full-face SkinPen, $100 for the neck, with no membership required.

Want an exact quote for your skin?

Book a consultation and we will confirm your plan and price before you commit.

Book a consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does microneedling cost in Chicago?

Prices vary by provider, device and what is included. At YA Skin Studio, full-face SkinPen microneedling is $385 per session and neck microneedling is $100.

How much does SkinPen microneedling cost?

At our studio, full-face SkinPen is $385 per session, with optional add-ons of +$30 for a salmon DNA serum and +$20 for a post-treatment mask.

What is the microneedling price per session versus for a full series?

A single full-face session is $385. At that price, three sessions come to $1,155 and six to $2,310 before any package pricing or add-ons.

How many microneedling sessions will I need?

Most protocols use three to six sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Milder texture concerns may need fewer, and deeper acne scarring often needs five or six.

Is PRP microneedling more expensive?

Add-ons like PRP are usually priced on top of the base treatment. Ask us for current availability and pricing at your consultation.

Does microneedling hurt?

We apply numbing cream before every session, so most clients describe a light vibration or mild prickling. Comfort varies by area and we adjust the depth to your tolerance.

What is the downtime after microneedling?

Expect redness like a mild sunburn for 24 to 48 hours. Most clients return to normal activities the next day.

Can I use financing for microneedling?

Yes. Series can be split into monthly payments with Cherry, our financing partner, and 0% APR options are available for qualified applicants.

Why is some microneedling much cheaper?

A lower price can reflect a different device, supplies or training. Ask which device is used, whether the needle cartridge is single-use and who performs the treatment.

This article is for education and is not medical advice. If you have questions about your skin, contact our experts. They will guide you to the best solution for your skin and needs.

About the Author

Yana A., certified DMK Paramedical Therapist and founder of YA Skin Studio

Yana A.

Founder and Lead Esthetician, YA Skin Studio

Yana is a certified DMK Paramedical Therapist and was named DMK Paramedical Therapist of the Year in 2021. She founded YA Skin Studio in Chicago in 2015 and previously worked as a nationwide esthetic educator. Meet the team.

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