Your cartridge.
Your questions.
A clearer next step.
The Dr. Pen cartridge & microneedling guide. Find the right fit, understand the options and learn what comes next.
Exact model first. Pin count second. Fresh cartridge every session. More depth is not a better result.
Check suitability →Microneedling
Mentor Tool.
Your setup, preparation, area map and recovery — guided from the first check to the weeks afterwards.
Let’s find your next step.
Have your pen ready, or explore before choosing one. Get compatible cartridge options, a preparation countdown, a detailed area map, movement demonstrations and day-by-day recovery guidance.
See area-specific cartridge comparisons, general depth guidance and movement explanations. This DrPenStore Support guide is for general education. Consult your own doctor about suitability and personal settings.
Help me choose a pen →Preview a movement now, or follow the guided steps below.
Shop my selected cartridge
Start with your cartridge.
Choose the pen you own and a reviewed replacement. This selection checks product fit.
You can also select “Use in Mentor” on a product card below.
Open the full cartridge comparison →Choose your area and skin type.
Choose the concern you mean. A healed scar, a flat mark and an active spot take different paths.
Why these cartridge options?
We recommend verified model compatibility first. Compare compatible 11, 12 and 16-pin options for surrounding mouth skin. An H6 scalp example uses 36 pins. There is no universal pin count for every facial area.
Compare cartridge types →Prepare before you open the pack.
Keep the instructions and the products you will actually use beside you.
These are preparation reminders, not a skin assessment. Review when to postpone →
Cleanse. Rinse. Pat dry.
Remove makeup and surface residue using your cleanser’s directions. Cleansing and any required skin antisepsis are separate steps.
Optional pacing timer. Follow your cleanser’s directions.
Press start to see the cleansing animation and countdown together.
About this timer
The 60 seconds are a pacing aid, not a validated cleansing or disinfectant contact time. Finish earlier or take longer according to your product’s directions.
Need a cleanser? Explore the collection
Start with a clean face.
Browse your cleanser collections. Check the formula and your preparation instructions before choosing; exfoliating cleansers are not a default treatment-day step.
Cleanse2 options shown
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex 180ml
$61.00 USD
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex Polish 120g
$61.90 USD
Already have a suitable product? You can continue with it.
Now pick up your device.
Keep the power off while preparing the cartridge.
Use a new, sealed, in-date cartridge. Do not touch its tip.
CHECK THE FITFollow your exact pen’s fitting instructions. If the cartridge does not lock securely, stop and check compatibility.
KEEP IT OFF THE SKINLocate the motor-speed control and depth dial before reviewing them in the next steps.
Keep the product stages separate.
Decide what belongs during the procedure and what belongs afterwards.
Your cleanser and any specified skin-preparation product. Remove residues as instructed.
DURINGThe exact contact medium permitted for your device and procedure. “HA”, “PDRN” or “sterile” on its own is not a complete product instruction.
AFTERThe specified recovery product. A cosmetic collagen mask or a new active serum is not an automatic final step.
What about Hyaron, exosomes and salmon DNA?
These names appear in community routines. The exact formulation, route and instructions still matter; the Mentor does not turn them into an approved combination. An injectable product is not automatically an appropriate topical contact medium.
Product examples and source details →Serums for your routine after recovery
A serum for the right stage.
Explore your serum collection for your routine after recovery. These are not automatic needling contact products. Use only the exact medium specified for your procedure during skin contact.
Serums4 options shown
iS Clinical Active Serum 15ml
$115.00 USD
iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+ 15ml
$124.00 USD
iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+ 15ml
$156.90 USD
iS Clinical Brightening Serum 15ml
$107.00 USD
Already have a suitable product? You can continue with it.
Check the speed control.
Motor speed and the speed of your hand are different controls.
Check the depth dial.
Depth is a separate setting. Skin type and pin count alone cannot determine it.
Your area: pins, depth & movement.
Review your selected area. Its movement illustration starts when this step opens. General guidance does not replace personal treatment settings. Consult your own doctor about suitability.
Choose an area to explore
Gliding moves the tip along the surface. Vertical describes the direction of the path.
Changing the map region changes your Mentor area. Review its speed and depth again before continuing.
How should I use this guidance?
Our guidance illustrates cross-hatch movement on cheeks and forehead, and small circles at the nose sides. Match the permitted movement to your device instructions and individual plan.
Neither graphic supplies an exact repeat count or contact time. Lift before repositioning a stamp. Stop when the tip drags or catches; do not increase pressure to compensate.
DrPenStore instruction guide →Follow your device and procedure instructions for the permitted technique, settings and passes. Stop contact if the tip drags or catches. Read movement guidance →
Recovery is part of the plan.
Finish with a clear next step, not a stronger setting.
Your next days, in view.
The typical recovery window is 24–72 hours. Skin type, depth and response change the timeline. Dates are checkpoints, not clearance to restart products or treatment.
DrPenStore instruction guide →Keep care simple. Don’t forget SPF. Review before repeating.
Your aftercare checklist
Discard the used cartridge safely. Keep care simple and follow the specified cleansing and recovery routine.
THE FOLLOWING DAYSDo not pick or scrub flaking skin. Keep sun protection in your plan and wait to restart irritating actives. AAD advises at least 24 hours before makeup after professional microneedling.
BEFORE REPEATINGSkin looking calm does not establish readiness. Use your treatment plan’s interval and review any persistent symptoms first.
Keep a review date from my existing plan
Use the interval already set in your treatment plan.
Increasing pain, spreading redness, discharge, fever or marked swelling need medical assessment.
Full recovery guidance →Changes develop gradually. Fuller results often take several months. More frequent sessions do not necessarily mean better results; recovery is part of the process.
DrPenStore instruction guide →Explore hydration & recovery care
Give your skin time.
Keep recovery care simple. Choose hydration products according to your aftercare plan and their directions; everyday skincare may need to wait until your skin has recovered.
Hydrate1 options shown
iS Clinical Hydra Intensive Cooling Masque
$123.00 USD
Already have a suitable product? You can continue with it.
Don’t forget SPF · Explore sun protection
Don’t forget SPF.
Keep sun protection in your routine. Use shade and a hat, and follow your aftercare plan for when to apply sunscreen. Check the product label for application and reapplication.
Protect4 options shown
Eclipse SPF 50 - Translucent
$64.99 USD
iS Clinical PerfectTint Powder SPF 40
$101.90 USD
iS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 40
$85.00 USD
Eclipse SPF 50 - Beige
$64.90 USD
Already have a suitable product? You can continue with it.
Keep your guide in your inbox.
Your choices, the steps you confirmed, local dates and times, and your care notes — together in one email.
Your summary is sent through DrPenStore’s Klaviyo email service when connected.
Read my email preview
Your guide is complete.
Give recovery its place.
Keep sun protection in your plan. Follow your aftercare guidance on timing, and allow your skin to recover before planning another session.
Have you selected your pen and cartridge?
Optional: your selections stay in this browser tab for up to two hours, never in your store account. The timer always returns paused. Start over clears saved choices.
Follow the same learning path: choose a cartridge, identify your concern, prepare, understand movement, then review aftercare. Interactive illustrations and the optional preparation timer are available when JavaScript is enabled.
Your routine has a rhythm.
Understand each stage, then explore the collection that belongs there. Your everyday skincare and treatment-day products have different roles.
Start with a clean face.
Browse your cleanser collections. Check the formula and your preparation instructions before choosing; exfoliating cleansers are not a default treatment-day step.
Explore with your Mentor →Cleanse collection →A serum for the right stage.
Explore your serum collection for your routine after recovery. These are not automatic needling contact products. Use only the exact medium specified for your procedure during skin contact.
Explore with your Mentor →Serums collection →Give your skin time.
Keep recovery care simple. Choose hydration products according to your aftercare plan and their directions; everyday skincare may need to wait until your skin has recovered.
Explore with your Mentor →Hydrate collection →Don’t forget SPF.
Keep sun protection in your routine. Use shade and a hat, and follow your aftercare plan for when to apply sunscreen. Check the product label for application and reapplication.
Explore with your Mentor →Protect collection →Start with the pen you own.
Read the model on the device or its packaging. Similar names and identical pin counts do not guarantee a fit.
Choose a model to see its verified listings.
Open a model to explore its options.
A20
A20 cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
12-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$6.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
14-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$6.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
18-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$6.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
24-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$6.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
36-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$6.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
42-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$6.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →M9
M9 cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
No reviewed product is available in this list for your current market. This is not proof that another model's cartridge will fit.
M8S
M8S cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
12-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.00 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
18-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.00 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
36-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.00 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
Nano · round
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.00 USD / cartridge
Pack details →24-pin and 42-pin listings need clarification because their descriptions contain conflicting pin counts. They are not included in these results.
A11
A11 cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
12-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.00 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
18-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.00 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
36-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.00 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
Nano · round
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.00 USD / cartridge
Pack details →24-pin and 42-pin listings need clarification because their descriptions contain conflicting pin counts. They are not included in these results.
A10
A10 cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
Nano
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.99 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
36-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.99 USD / cartridge
Pack details →M8
M8 cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
11-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$4.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
16-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$4.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
36-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$4.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
A6S
A6S cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
11-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$4.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
36-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$4.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
16-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$4.60 USD / cartridge
Pack details →The Nano listing needs clarification because its description also names a 16-pin cartridge. It is not included in these results.
A8S
A8S cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
12-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.99 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
18-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.99 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
36-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.99 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
Nano · round
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.99 USD / cartridge
Pack details →24-pin and 42-pin listings need clarification because their descriptions contain conflicting pin counts. They are not included in these results.
H6
H6 cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
36-pin needles
5 cartridges / pack
Available
$11.59 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
42-pin needles
5 cartridges / pack
Available
$11.59 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
Nano · round
5 cartridges / pack
Available
$11.59 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
Nano · square
5 cartridges / pack
Available
$11.59 USD / cartridge
Pack details →The 18-pin listing has an unresolved variant detail and is not included in these results.
H3
H3 cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
12-pin needles
10 cartridges / pack
Available
$5.99 USD / cartridge
Pack details →
Q2
Q2 cartridge options
Choose a tip and check the pack. These reviewed listings name your exact model; no cross-model fit is assumed.
No reviewed product is available in this list for your current market. This is not proof that another model's cartridge will fit.
Older model / not sure
Check the exact model on the device and box. Keep a photo of the connector and cartridge label ready for support.
Get help with this model →No reviewed options of this type are shown for your model. Try All types or ask product support.
Compare your options.
Pin count and pack size describe the product. They do not select a treatment or a depth.
Which cartridge.
For which purpose?
Compare the common uses first. Then check the options for your pen. These are seller usage categories, not a personal treatment prescription.
Targeted work
Lower-count options are marketed for focused facial concerns. Scalp use is also reported.
Before choosing: Count alone does not tell you the tip width or prove better scar results.
General facial options
Commonly grouped with facial texture and fine-line treatments.
Before choosing: Choose the count available for your exact model; these are not beginner levels.
Face / scalp / wider areas
Seller guidance varies: one UK guide specifically highlights scalp use.
Before choosing: It is not a universal scalp-only cartridge.
Bio Pen Q2 option
Q2 manufacturer information lists 9, 14 and 25-pin options.
Before choosing: A Q2 count does not establish fit with another pen or a treatment area.
Face and body options
Marketed for broader areas and cosmetic treatments. 36 is also used on the face.
Before choosing: More pins do not make a treatment automatically gentle or safe.
Surface cosmetic care
A separate tip category, with round and square versions on some models.
Before choosing: Not a 36-pin needle cartridge or a replacement for scar needling.
Where do these use categories come from?
DrPenStore instruction guide → and DrPenStore instruction guide → group some counts differently. DrPenStore instruction guide → explicitly includes face and body for 36 pins. DrPenStore instruction guide → confirm its 9/14/25 options. These sources describe product positioning and configurations; they do not establish a best pin for every skin condition.
Can I use 36 pins on my face?
Yes, 36-pin cartridges are marketed and used for facial treatments. They are not reserved for the body. Your skin, area and exact device still determine whether a procedure is suitable.
Compare facial choices →Do I need a different pin for every area?
Not automatically. There is no established requirement to buy a separate count for forehead, nose and cheeks. A suitable tip and an area-specific setting are separate decisions.
Find your area question →Understand the controls.
Don’t copy a number.
A dial setting is a device setting. It does not, by itself, establish the depth reached in your skin.
Maximum is not a target.
Pin count, needle diameter and depth are different. For example, a product specification of 0.18 mm needle diameter describes needle width, not your depth setting.
Use the exact instructions and a qualified clinician’s assessment for procedures that puncture living skin.
A separate control.
Speed changes the rate of needle movement; hand speed changes how you move across the area. Neither is the depth dial. “Level 3” is not an equivalent rate across every model.
Do not increase speed, depth or pressure to compensate for dragging, poor fitting or a lack of redness.
Your area.
Your actual question.
Start with your region or concern. See the common cartridge choices, what changes the decision, and when treatment should wait.
Cheeks & fine lines: 12, 18 or 36 pins?14/16/18 for general facial options; 11/12 for targeted work; 36 also covers the face.
Compare 14/16/18-pin options for general facial use. Look at 11/12 for targeted work, and keep 36 in the comparison for broader facial coverage.
What changes the choice? These are common seller categories. Start with the counts made for your exact pen; you do not need every count or a separate pack for each facial region.
What about depth and speed? They are separate controls. Cheekbone and fleshy cheek are different surfaces, so a facial cartridge does not mean one setting across the whole cheek.
Continue with our full instruction guide →
See cartridges for my pen →Forehead, nose & chin: do I need another cartridge?Usually a facial option from your model’s range; access matters more than the number.
You do not automatically need a special forehead, nose or chin cartridge. Compare the compatible facial options first.
Which options? Use the general facial comparison above to understand 11/12, 14/16/18 and 36. A lower count does not necessarily have a narrower plastic housing.
What changes on these contours? The tip needs to sit as directed without pushing it into a curve. Do not copy a fleshy-cheek setting onto a bony area or press harder to reach it.
If your concern is blackheads: A cartridge is not an extraction tool; do not puncture a blocked pore.
Continue with our full instruction guide →
See cartridges for my pen →Healed acne scars: which cartridge should I compare?11/12 are marketed for targeted scar work. First distinguish a dent from a flat mark.
For targeted work on healed acne scars, 11/12-pin cartridges are a common seller option. Nano is not an interchangeable scar-treatment cartridge.
Choose the right path: An indented scar, a flat red/brown mark and an active spot are different concerns. A pin count cannot tell them apart.
Before ordering: Confirm the type of scar and planned treatment, then select that count within your model. Fewer needles do not guarantee a better result; scar depth is not a reason to turn the pen to its maximum.
I still have active spots → · I mean flat dark marks →
Continue with our full instruction guide →
Continue with our full instruction guide →
See cartridges for my pen →Active acne: can I go over a breakout?Postpone needling while painful, inflamed or pus-filled spots are present.
Do not needle inflamed, painful, pus-filled or deep active pimples. Postpone the session and address the breakout first.
Why a different cartridge will not help: Switching to 36 pins, Nano or a lower setting does not make an inflamed lesion an appropriate treatment area. Do not stamp a spot to drain it or help an acne serum enter it.
What to do next: Allow the breakout to clear. If active acne keeps returning, have it assessed before planning scar treatment. A healed indentation left afterwards belongs in the acne-scar guide.
My acne has cleared; I mean old scars →Eye area: eyelids, under-eyes or crow’s feet?Separate the eyelid and eye socket from the skin at the outer corner.
Do not needle the eyelids or inside the eye socket at home. For crow’s feet, first confirm the permitted treatment boundary with a qualified practitioner.
Why the distinction matters: An “eye area” chart may refer to skin outside the orbital rim. It does not give permission to work over the soft tissues covering the eye. Nano does not remove this distinction.
Which pin and setting for crow’s feet? Ask the practitioner to specify the cartridge and settings for the exact device and outer-eye area. The seller charts reviewed do not identify all of those together; choosing a number from them would give you false precision.
Important area boundaries
This home guidance excludes the eyelid and the area inside the orbital rim. This is a boundary example from another system, not a Dr. Pen protocol. A model-specific Dr. Pen eye-area protocol remains an open evidence item.
Around the mouth: facial skin or the lip itself?A facial cartridge guide does not cover the lip surface or inside the mouth.
Treat “around the mouth” and “on the lips” as different questions. Do not extend a facial procedure onto the lip surface or inside the mouth.
For lines above the lip: Compare the facial cartridge categories for your model, then confirm the permitted area and procedure. The phrase “around lips” on a seller chart is not a lip-needling instruction.
With a cold sore: Postpone treatment. Tell the treating practitioner if you have a history of cold sores.
For lip plumping: A plumping serum or Nano name does not establish suitability for needling the lips.
Neck & décolletage: why are 36/42 mentioned?Higher-count options are marketed for broader cosmetic areas.
36/42-pin cartridges are often positioned for broader areas. Compare them as product options, not as a guarantee of gentle treatment.
What should I buy? First check whether your pen offers the specified count. You do not need to buy another count simply because the area is called “sensitive”.
What changes from the face? The neck and chest require their own treatment assessment and settings. Neither a high count nor a shallow-looking dial makes irritated skin suitable.
Continue with our full instruction guide →
See cartridges for my pen →Body, stretch marks & surgical scars: which pins?36/42 for broader areas; lower counts also appear in targeted scar guidance.
Compare 36/42 for broader body areas and the lower-count options for targeted scar work. Match the choice to the treatment plan and your pen.
First identify the concern: Stretch marks, healed surgical scars and fresh wounds are not the same. Do not needle a fresh wound or try to flatten a raised scar yourself; a keloid history changes suitability.
What does “body” change? It describes the area, not permission for a deeper setting. A large area can need a different approach without needing the deepest setting or the largest pin count.
Continue with our full instruction guide →
Continue with our full instruction guide →
See cartridges for my pen →Scalp & beard: 12, 18, 24 or 36?Several counts appear in use; a hair-growth claim does not select the cartridge.
Lower-count cartridges and 36 both appear in scalp use reports; one UK seller specifically highlights 24. Compare the options for your device before choosing a pack.
What matters in use? Hair catching and contact with the scalp are practical issues. Stop if the cartridge snags; do not drag through tangled hair or add pressure to compensate.
What about results and settings? The cause of thinning and your existing treatment determine the plan. Less pain with one count does not prove less effect, and scalp settings are not automatically a beard protocol.
Using minoxidil? Keep its timing separate from the cartridge choice. Follow the hair-treatment plan; do not use it or a scalp oil as an improvised glide product.
Continue with our full instruction guide →
Continue with our full instruction guide →
See cartridges for my pen →Dark marks, melasma or reactive skin?Identify the mark first; there is no dedicated “brightening pin”.
A flat post-acne mark, melasma and an irritated patch need different decisions. Do not choose a cartridge solely because its description says “brightening”.
If you mean a flat mark: Explain that goal when discussing treatment; it is different from an indented scar. A cartridge advertised for scars is not automatically the right treatment for a colour change.
If skin is irritated: Allow it to settle and have an unexplained or changing patch assessed. More pins do not eliminate pigment-change risk.
Do not add a brightening shortcut: Needling cosmetic acids or vitamin C into the area is not the same as applying them in a normal skincare routine.
Now check your model.
The count you read about must exist for your exact pen. Return to the common-use comparison →
Which pin counts are actually listed for my model?
Reviewed DrPenStore listings only. Availability and market price are confirmed in the matcher. This list does not prescribe a treatment.
- A20 — 12 pin, 14 pin, 18 pin, 24 pin, 36 pin, 42 pin, Nano →
- M9 — Ask product support →
- M8S — 12 pin, 18 pin, 36 pin, Nano →
- A11 — 12 pin, 18 pin, 36 pin, Nano →
- A10 — 36 pin, Nano →
- M8 — 11 pin, 16 pin, 36 pin, Nano →
- A6S — 11 pin, 16 pin, 36 pin →
- A8S — 12 pin, 18 pin, 36 pin, Nano →
- H6 — 36 pin, 42 pin, Nano →
- H3 — 12 pin, Nano →
- Q2 — Ask product support →
Circles, lines or stamping?
The device determines the movement.
Movement instructions vary by device. Follow the technique and coverage specified for your exact pen and individual plan. DrPenStore instruction guide →
Gliding means moving the cartridge across the skin; stamping means lifting it before repositioning. Follow the method specified for your exact device and procedure.
If it drags, stop contact.
Check the locked fit, tip condition and permitted contact medium. Do not increase depth, speed or pressure to push through snagging.
Fast needle movement and fast hand movement are different. Repeatedly scrubbing the same patch is not a substitute for a defined treatment plan.
Check the fitting and handling steps →Which products belong at each stage?
Prepare the skin.
Remove makeup and follow the device’s skin-preparation instructions. Check prescribed skincare, recent procedures and irritation before starting.
Do not invent a numbing-cream dose or stop prescribed medication from a general shopping guide.
Check the exact formulation.
A bottle labelled hyaluronic acid, sterile or PDRN does not by itself establish suitability with your device. Saline is not automatically a substitute for its specified contact medium.
Use only the medium permitted by the device and product instructions. Do not needle cosmetic vitamin C, retinoids, exfoliating acids or pigment into skin.
Use the aftercare plan.
Use the specified recovery product; avoid experimenting with actives while skin is reactive. Follow the plan for cleansing and sun protection.
AAD advises waiting at least 24 hours for makeup after professional microneedling; follow a longer interval if your practitioner specifies one.
How do I choose the right product?
Use only a product whose instructions permit its intended stage and use with your exact device. A serum collection is for comparison, not blanket approval for needling.
Explore our serum collection →Before adding a serum to your order: confirm its full name, intended stage and permitted use with your device. We have not verified a DrPenStore serum as an in-procedure contact medium in this review.
Recovery and warning signs →Reviewed 8 September 2026 · Prepared as a DrPenStore Support education guide. No universal home pin–depth–speed prescription was verified.
Learn in the right order.
Start wherever you need help. Progress means better understanding, not more aggressive treatment.
Understand
Read suitability and know the limits of home-use product education.
Choose
Identify your exact pen and its listed cartridge; check the original packaging.
Learn
Understand the controls, tip type and manufacturer instructions before opening the pack.
Prepare
Review the checklist. A completed list is not medical clearance or a training certificate.
Use & troubleshoot
Follow the supplied instructions. Stop for an unstable cartridge, unexpected pain or excessive reaction.
Recover
Follow the aftercare plan, dispose of the cartridge safely and watch for worsening symptoms.
Review & continue
Assess progress with your clinician. More depth is not the next level of learning.
Before opening a cartridge.
Personal preparation reminders, not a suitability assessment.
Is microneedling appropriate for you?
Postpone and seek advice.
Do not work over infection, open wounds, cold sores or actively inflamed skin. Have an unexplained skin change assessed first.
Discuss your medical history.
Medicines, poor healing, keloids, pregnancy and other conditions may change suitability. Use the full FDA guidance and a clinician’s assessment.
Pause. Check. Don’t force it.
A fitting problem and a skin reaction need different next steps.
The cartridge will not fit or lock
Switch off. Compare the exact model with the cartridge label and follow its fitting instructions. Do not force the connector or modify the cartridge. Ask product support →
Dragging, snagging or unstable contact
Stop contact with the skin. Check for a damaged tip, incorrect fitting or a device issue using the manual. Do not solve dragging by adding pressure or unverified serum.
Little sensation or no redness
Do not chase pain or redness. These do not tell you whether a treatment is effective. Confirm the setup before considering any further use.
Pain, bleeding or a worsening skin reaction
Stop treatment. Seek medical assessment for severe, persistent or worsening symptoms. Read warning signs →
Know what comes next.
Recovery depends on the procedure and your skin. Follow the plan provided by your treating clinician.
Keep care simple.
Follow the given aftercare instructions. Do not improvise new active products on reactive skin.
Watch the direction.
Monitor improvement and avoid picking or exfoliating irritated skin. Ask your clinician about sun protection and restarting your routine.
Review before repeating.
Allow recovery and follow your treatment plan. Persistent symptoms need assessment, not a stronger next session.
Find the answer you came for.
Compatibility, preparation, technique and recovery — in one searchable reference.
Which cartridge fits my pen?
Match the exact model on your device with the model named on the cartridge listing. Start with the model matcher. A similar name or pin count is not proof of compatibility.
Can A11, M8S and A8S share K5 cartridges?
Cross-model K5 compatibility is not confirmed by the evidence used for this guide. Use the listing for your exact model or ask support to confirm the cartridge SKU in writing before ordering.
Are M8 and M8S cartridges interchangeable?
Do not assume so. These are different model names; the matcher keeps their product listings separate.
Which cartridges fit M9?
An exact M9 replacement SKU has not been verified in the reviewed catalogue. Ask support with your model and cartridge packaging before buying.
What changes for Hydra Pen H3 and H6?
Use the exact Hydra model listing. H3 and H6 are shown separately; a reservoir or similar-looking connector does not establish cross-compatibility. Follow the supplied instructions for fitting and reservoir handling.
What changes for Bio Pen Q2?
The manufacturer lists 9, 14 and 25 pins for Q2. Only a 25-pin DrPenStore listing was reviewed here, with collection availability still to confirm. Other Bio Pen models are not automatically compatible. DrPenStore instruction guide →
Which pin count should a beginner choose?
There is no required 36 → 18 → 12 learning ladder. Compare the common-use categories, then the exact options for your device. A beginner does not need to buy every count. See how the options differ →
Is Nano the same as a needle cartridge?
Nano is a separate tip category, not a needle count. Check the exact tip construction and intended use on the product label. Do not treat a Nano dial setting as equivalent to medical microneedling depth.
Why do 12, 18 and 36 pins feel different?
Pin count alone does not describe a cartridge. Geometry, tip design, settings and handling differ. Sensation cannot verify the actual treatment depth or effectiveness.
Can I reuse or share a cartridge after cleaning it?
No. Use a fresh cartridge for every session and person. Cleaning does not make a used needle cartridge safe to reuse.
How many cartridges do I need?
Plan a fresh cartridge for each session. Check whether the listing is a single cartridge or a multipack before ordering; do not build a stock plan around an unapproved treatment frequency.
What depth and speed should I use?
There is no universal home-use prescription. Read the depth and speed guide and the exact device instructions. Treatment settings require assessment, not a pin-count quiz.
Should I stamp or glide?
Use the handling method specified for your exact device and cartridge. Do not improvise extra passes or force a dragging cartridge across the skin.
The cartridge drags or will not lock. What now?
Stop, switch off and check the exact model and fitting instructions. Do not force a connector or continue with a damaged or unstable cartridge. Ask product support if the problem remains.
Why am I not red or feeling anything?
Redness and pain are not calibration tools. Check the device instructions and setup; do not increase depth or pressure to chase a sensation.
Do I need to bleed for it to work?
No. Bleeding is a possible adverse effect, not a performance target. Stop for unexpected bleeding or significant pain and seek care for severe or persistent symptoms.
Can I use HA, PDRN, exosomes or another serum?
A topical ingredient name does not prove a formulation is suitable for use with needling. Product delivery through skin needs separate evidence; check device labeling and ask the treating clinician.
Can I use minoxidil immediately afterwards?
Do not infer timing from a hair-loss bundle or a facial routine. Ask the clinician managing your hair treatment how to coordinate prescribed products and procedures.
Do I need numbing cream?
This guide does not prescribe an anaesthetic. Ask a clinician about suitability and product directions; do not use numbing to tolerate more aggressive settings.
Can I treat active acne, eczema or a cold sore?
Postpone treatment of infected, broken or inflamed skin and seek assessment. Skin conditions and medication history can change suitability.
What about pregnancy, blood thinners or isotretinoin?
Ask a qualified clinician before considering treatment. Do not stop medication to follow this guide; timing and suitability require an individual assessment.
Can I treat under-eyes, lips or the neck?
Do not copy cheek settings onto delicate areas. The intended treatment area must be supported by your exact device instructions and professional assessment.
Can I use this for scars, pigmentation or hair loss?
These concerns need different assessments. A compatible cartridge is not proof that a treatment is appropriate or effective for your concern. Use the area and goal explorer for direct answers about active acne, scars, eyes and other areas.
How often should I repeat a session?
Follow the treatment plan and allow full recovery. A quiet-looking skin surface does not establish readiness for another procedure.
When can I wear makeup again?
AAD guidance for professional microneedling advises waiting at least 24 hours. Follow your treating clinician’s instructions if they specify longer.
When can I restart retinol, acids or exfoliation?
Follow your aftercare plan and wait for recovery. Do not restart irritating products while skin is tender or reactive.
How long should redness or dryness last?
Recovery varies. Mild reactions can follow treatment, but worsening symptoms deserve assessment. See recovery and warning signs.
My skin is getting worse. Should I buy a gentler cartridge?
Stop treatment and seek medical advice for worsening symptoms. Changing cartridges is not a treatment for a complication.
How do I verify a genuine pen?
Follow the security-label process for the exact device. Open the genuine Dr. Pen guide; ask support if the verification result is unclear.
Why does the price change by country?
Shopify displays prices for the current market and currency. Confirm the pack, variant and availability on the product page before ordering.
Which A20 cartridge options are listed here?
The reviewed A20 range includes 12, 14, 18, 24, 36 and 42-pin packs and Nano Square. These are product options, not treatment recommendations. Open A20 options to check the available listings in your market.
How many cartridges come in an A10 pack?
The reviewed A10 36-pin and Nano listings each name 10 cartridges. Check the exact pack and any selected variant on the product page before ordering. Open A10 options.
Why is A6S Nano missing from the matcher?
The reviewed A6S Nano description also refers to 16-pin, so that option is awaiting clarification. The reviewed 11, 16 and 36-pin listings remain separate. Ask support to confirm the exact Nano product before buying.
Why are some M8S, A11 and A8S pin counts missing?
Some 24-pin and 42-pin descriptions also name 36-pin. Those conflicting listings are excluded until clarified. Missing from this guide does not mean a product cannot fit; support needs to confirm the exact listing.
Can I use microneedling over active acne?
Which pin, depth and speed should I use around my eyes?
Do I need different pins for forehead, nose and cheeks?
Should I move in circles, glide or stamp?
Can I needle with HA, vitamin C, PDRN, exosomes or saline?
Can I use a 36-pin cartridge on my face?
Is a 24-pin cartridge only for the scalp?
Is 0.18 mm needle diameter the same as depth?
Is a Nano dial setting the same as needle depth?
What do round, square, 3D and 5D Nano mean?
My new M8 cartridge looks different. Is it fake?
Does an anti-backflow cartridge allow reuse?
What should I check before opening a cartridge?
Can I change pins to stop pain or fix dragging?
Are all A20 cartridges covered by the same FDA clearance?
Does less pain with 36 pins mean less collagen?
Do I need a separate cartridge for every facial region?
No matching question. Try a model name or ask product support.
Make the last checks.
Your model, pack and delivery details belong in the same decision.
Ask about your exact selection.
Copy this summary and include it when contacting product support. Add a photo of your device label and unopened cartridge packaging if you need help identifying them.
For a worsening skin reaction, use the medical warning signs.
Know the order conditions.
Check delivery options for your destination and confirm charges at checkout.
Change-of-mind returns require unused, unopened products with seals intact under the published policy. Check the full conditions before opening a sterile pack.
How to verify your Dr. Pen →Your next step, made clearer.
Find replacement cartridges.
Return to your exact model and choose from its reviewed listings.
Match my cartridge →Compare the range.
Compare intended use and features before choosing your pen.
Compare Dr. Pen models →Keep the instructions close.
Use the full guide alongside the instructions supplied with your model.
Open instruction guide →Product matches reviewed against DrPenStore listings on 7 September 2026. Compatibility is product-specific; unverified cross-model mappings are excluded. General education does not replace device labeling, training or clinical assessment.
DrPenStore instruction guide →DrPenStore instruction guide →
