Microneedling in Anaheim Hills
Microneedling uses a pen of very fine needles to make thousands of controlled micro-injuries in the skin, which your body repairs with new collagen. It smooths acne scars, texture and enlarged pores with a day or two of redness, and pairing it with PDGF growth factors turns a surface treatment into one that thickens the skin from within.
Microneedling at a glance
A microneedling session at Epic IV starts with numbing cream, then the clinician passes a motorised pen across the treatment area at a depth set for your skin and your concern. Expect redness like a mild sunburn for a day or two, then skin that looks fresher within a week and keeps improving over the following weeks as collagen forms. Scars and texture are treated as a series, with sessions spaced to let each round of collagen settle.
| Numbing | Topical numbing cream before every session |
|---|---|
| Performed by | Registered nurses Tiffani Vo, RN and Karina Jacobo, RN, BSN, PHN |
| Downtime | One to two days of redness, like a mild sunburn |
| Results | Fresher skin within a week; scars and texture improve over 6 to 12 weeks and across the series |
What microneedling treats
Acne scars
Rolling scars and shallow boxcar scars are the classic microneedling case. The needles break up the tethered scar tissue and the repair fills the depression from below. Deep, sharp-edged scars respond more to fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, which can resurface the scar edge as well; the consultation will tell you which you have.
Texture
Rough, uneven skin smooths as the surface renews and the collagen underneath thickens. This is the result most patients notice first.
Enlarged pores
Pores look smaller as the skin around them firms. Expect a gradual change over the series rather than a dramatic one after the first visit.
Fine lines
Early lines around the eyes and mouth soften as collagen builds. Established wrinkles need resurfacing or, for lines made by movement, Botox® Cosmetic.
Stretch marks
Newer, still-pink stretch marks respond better than old white ones. Microneedling improves their texture and blends their colour; it does not remove them.
Microneedling with PDGF growth factors
PDGF stands for platelet-derived growth factors, the proteins your body uses to signal repair. Applied with microneedling, purified growth factors reach the channels the needles open and give the repair more to work with. The result is a thicker, firmer skin rather than a smoother surface alone, which is why we recommend the pairing for acne scars, crepey skin and anyone who wants more than a maintenance treatment.
PDGF on its own, injected under the eyes, is a separate treatment with its own page.
How microneedling works
The pen's needles create microscopic channels, each one a tiny wound the skin treats as a signal to rebuild. Over the following weeks the body lays down new collagen and elastin in the treated area, thickening the skin and smoothing what sits on top of it. The depth is set for the job: shallow for texture and product delivery, deeper for scars. Because the channels are so small, the surface heals in a day or two while the collagen work continues underneath for weeks.
Who performs your treatment
Microneedling at Epic IV is performed by our registered nurses, and your depth, series and whether to add PDGF are set at the consultation. Karina Jacobo also performs RF microneedling. The clinic's medical director is Dr. Christine Rongey, MD.
What to expect
Consultation
A clinician looks at your scars or texture, asks about your skin history and any active breakouts, and plans the series. You get the price first.
Before your session
Pause retinoids and exfoliating acids as instructed, arrive with clean skin and no makeup, and stay out of the sun.
Treatment day
Numbing cream goes on first. The pen passes over the area in a set pattern; you feel vibration and pressure, with brief sharper moments over bone. PDGF is applied during the passes if it is part of your plan.
Days 1 to 2
Redness like a mild sunburn, sometimes slight swelling and pinpoint dryness. Use the gentle products you are sent home with, skip makeup for the first day, and avoid sweating heavily.
Days 3 to 7
Redness gone, skin a little dry or flaky, then fresher and brighter by the end of the week.
Weeks 2 to 12
Collagen builds. Texture improves first, scars soften over the series.
Is microneedling right for you?
You are likely a good candidate if you:
- Have acne scars, rough texture, enlarged pores, early fine lines or stretch marks
- Want a gradual, natural improvement with a day or two of downtime
- Can commit to a series and to sunscreen between sessions
- Have a deeper skin tone and want a collagen treatment with a lower risk of pigment change than a strong laser
Wait if you have active acne or an infection in the treatment area, a cold sore flare, a history of keloid scarring, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have used isotretinoin recently. Your clinician will say when it is safe to start.
What microneedling costs in Anaheim Hills
The cost depends on the area, whether PDGF is added, and whether you book a single session or the series. You get an exact figure at your free consultation. The $199 a month membership does not currently discount microneedling.
Microneedling versus CO2 laser for acne scars
Microneedling (with PDGF)
- Best for. Rolling and shallow scars, texture, pores
- How it works. Fine needles break up scar tissue, collagen fills from below
- Downtime. One to two days of redness
- Plan. A series of sessions
- Skin tones. Lower pigment risk on deeper skin tones
Fractional CO2 laser
- Best for. Deep, sharp-edged scars, scars with sun damage
- How it works. Heat resurfaces the scar edge and stimulates collagen
- Downtime. 3 to 7 days of redness and peeling
- Plan. Often a single session
- Skin tones. Higher pigment risk, needs a careful consultation
Microneedling questions, answered
Anything this page does not answer, a clinician will at your free consultation.
How much does microneedling cost in Anaheim Hills?
The cost depends on the area, whether PDGF growth factors are added and whether you book a series, and you get an exact price at your free consultation. Every treatment's pricing is summarised on the pricing page.
Does microneedling work for acne scars?
Yes, for rolling and shallow boxcar scars. The needles break up tethered scar tissue and the repair fills the depression with new collagen over a series of sessions. Deep, sharp-edged scars usually do better with fractional CO2 laser resurfacing.
How many microneedling sessions do I need?
Scars and texture are treated as a series, with sessions spaced to let each round of collagen settle; texture often improves within the first one or two.
What is the downtime after microneedling?
A day or two of redness like a mild sunburn, sometimes with slight swelling or dryness. Most patients are back to normal, with sunscreen on, by day two or three.
Does microneedling hurt?
Numbing cream is applied first. During the treatment you feel vibration and pressure, with brief sharper moments over the forehead and jaw where the bone is close. Afterwards the skin feels warm and tight for the rest of the day.
What is microneedling with PDGF?
Microneedling with PDGF applies purified platelet-derived growth factors during the treatment so they reach the channels the needles open. The pairing thickens and firms the skin rather than smoothing the surface alone, and it is what we recommend for scars and crepey skin.
Is microneedling safe for darker skin tones?
Microneedling carries a lower risk of pigment change than a strong laser, which is why it is often the first collagen treatment we suggest for deeper skin tones. Your clinician will still assess your skin and set a conservative depth for the first session.
Do you see patients from Yorba Linda and Orange for microneedling?
Yes. The clinic is on Weir Canyon Road in Anaheim Hills, a short drive from Yorba Linda, and patients come from Orange and Villa Park as well. The short downtime makes it an easy treatment to fit around work.
You might also consider
Patients come from Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Orange and Villa Park: Patients from Yorba Linda, Patients from Orange and Villa Park.
Keep exploring
Other treatment categories
- Body contouring
- Botox and Dysport
- Chemical peels
- CO2 laser resurfacing
- Dermal fillers
- Dermaplaning
- EZ Gel under-eye treatment
- Hair restoration
Performed at the studio in Anaheim, for clients across Anaheim, Orange and Yorba Linda.
Start with a free consultation
A clinician will look at your scars or texture and tell you whether microneedling, microneedling with PDGF or a laser is the right first step, and what the series will cost.
Epic IV Hydration & Med Spa, 731 S Weir Canyon Rd, Suite 139, Anaheim, CA 92808. Mon to Sat, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.