SkinPen Microneedling in Delafield
Smoother skin, with softer acne scars and fine lines
Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment for acne scars, fine lines, uneven texture and tone, enlarged pores, and stretch marks. Also called collagen induction therapy, it uses fine sterile needles to create controlled micro-injuries that prompt new collagen and elastin. It is performed by the Consona team in Delafield, Wisconsin, and the treatment plan is set by Dr. Lucas Boehm, a board-certified plastic surgeon.
At a Glance
- Microneedling stimulates the body's natural collagen and elastin production through controlled micro-injuries[1]
- Results from microneedling can persist for 5-7 years in the form of new collagen deposition[2]
- The procedure preserves surrounding healthy tissue, resulting in quicker recovery compared to ablative techniques[2]
- Microneedling is effective for treating scars, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, and alopecia[3]
Overview
Microneedling creates thousands of tiny, controlled punctures with fine sterile needles. These micro-injuries release growth factors and start the skin's own repair process, which builds new collagen and elastin over the following months. As that work continues, the treated skin can become firmer and more even.
Treatment takes place in a medical office using SkinPen, a prescription device with an adjustable needle depth. A sterile, single-use needle cartridge is used for every treatment.
Needle depth typically ranges from 0.5 to 2.5 mm. Deeper settings are used for acne scars and stretch marks, and shallower settings for fine lines and overall texture.
Microneedling preserves the skin's surface between the needle channels, so it heals faster than ablative lasers, which remove the outer layer. Its risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the darker patches that can follow irritation, is also lower. That makes it suitable for a wider range of skin tones, including darker skin that may not be suited to certain laser procedures.
What to expect
- Your skin is evaluated and treatment goals discussed, and the appropriate needle depth and device settings are determined based on the specific concerns and treatment area.
- The treatment area is thoroughly cleansed to remove all makeup, oil, and debris.
- A topical numbing cream (typically lidocaine-based) is applied to the treatment area and left in place for 20-30 minutes to ensure patient comfort during the procedure.
- The numbing cream is removed and the skin is cleansed again with an antiseptic solution.
- A hyaluronic acid serum or other appropriate gliding solution is applied to facilitate smooth device movement across the skin.
- The microneedling device is passed systematically over the treatment area using overlapping strokes in multiple directions (vertical, horizontal, diagonal) to ensure even coverage.
- For areas with deeper scarring or more pronounced concerns, the needle depth may be increased and additional passes performed.
- After needling is complete, a soothing topical product may be applied when appropriate for the specific device and treatment plan. This is clinician-directed use, not an FDA-cleared delivery indication.
- A gentle moisturizer and broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen are applied to protect the treated skin.
- Detailed aftercare instructions are provided and follow-up treatment is scheduled, typically 4-6 weeks later to allow full collagen remodeling between sessions.
How a microneedling works
- Fine sterile needles enter the outer and upper layers of the skin at controlled depths, creating thousands of microscopic channels without removing tissue. The skin's surface stays intact between those channels.
- The micro-injuries begin the skin's natural repair process. Growth factors signal fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen, to move into the treated area.
- Over the first five days, those cells lay down a fine framework that new collagen begins to build on.
- In the weeks and months that follow, stronger collagen gradually replaces that early collagen. This remodeling can leave the skin firmer and more resilient, and the new collagen can last for years.
- For a short time the microscopic channels may make the skin more permeable, though the FDA has not cleared microneedling devices to deliver cosmetics, topical medications, vitamin solutions, or drugs.
When it's recommended
- Acne scars (atrophic, boxcar, rolling, and ice pick types)
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone
- Enlarged pores
- Stretch marks (striae)
- Photoaging and sun damage
- Surgical scars and traumatic scars
- Skin laxity and loss of firmness
Is a microneedling right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Recovery & aftercare
- Redness and mild swelling are expected for 24-72 hours, similar in appearance to a mild sunburn
- Skin may feel tight, dry, and mildly sensitive for 3-5 days following treatment
- Light flaking or peeling is normal as the skin renews itself in the days after the procedure
- Most patients can return to work within 1-2 days, though makeup should be avoided for 24 hours
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen must be applied daily, as the skin is more susceptible to UV damage during healing
- Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids, and active skincare ingredients for 5-7 days post-treatment
- Collagen remodeling continues for 3-6 months after each session, with results improving progressively
Alternatives
- Microdermabrasion for superficial exfoliation with no downtime
- Chemical peels for chemical exfoliation and pigmentation improvement
- Laser treatment for more targeted collagen remodeling and scar treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
- Dr. Lucas Boehm, a board-certified plastic surgeon, sets each microneedling plan, and the Consona team in Delafield performs the treatment. He determines the appropriate needle depth and number of sessions. If microneedling is not the right fit, the plan may call for CO2 laser resurfacing or a different approach.
- Treatment uses SkinPen, a prescription microneedling device. In 2018 the FDA authorized SkinPen to improve the appearance of facial acne scars in adults aged 22 or older, under its De Novo review for new types of device (DEN160029). A fresh sterile needle cartridge is used for every treatment and then discarded, and the needle depth is set for the area being treated.
- Professional microneedling uses a motorized device with adjustable needle depth and a sterile, single-use needle cartridge. Home dermarollers have fixed needles of 0.2 to 0.5 mm and provide only superficial exfoliation, not the deeper treatment used for acne scars and wrinkles.
- Improvement often becomes visible after 2 to 3 sessions, and a series usually runs 3 to 6 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Collagen keeps remodeling for 3 to 6 months after each session, so the skin can continue to change after the last one. Dr. Boehm recommends the number of sessions based on the specific concern.
- Microneedling leaves the skin's surface intact between the needle channels, so it carries a lower risk than ablative lasers of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the darker patches that can follow skin irritation, and it suits a wider range of skin tones. Needle depth is adjusted for the patient's skin type, and aftercare still matters.
- A numbing cream is applied for 20 to 30 minutes first. Most patients then feel mild pressure or a light prickling, and the forehead and the area around the nose can feel slightly more sensitive. Afterward the skin may feel warm and tight, much like a mild sunburn.
- Microneedling may be combined with laser therapy or with topical retinoids used between sessions. The FDA has not cleared microneedling devices to deliver cosmetics, topical medications, vitamin solutions, or drugs.
- Microneedling is commonly recommended for individuals experiencing acne scars (atrophic, boxcar, rolling, and ice pick types), fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, enlarged pores. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Boehm in Delafield to find out if Microneedling is right for you.
Microneedling risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Active acne, eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis on the treatment area
- Active skin infections (bacterial, viral, or fungal) including herpes simplex without antiviral prophylaxis
- Open wounds or sunburn in the treatment area
- Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) within the past 6 months
- History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring (relative contraindication requiring careful evaluation)
- Blood clotting disorders or current use of anticoagulant medications without medical clearance
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Possible risks
- Redness, swelling, and skin sensitivity resembling a mild sunburn for 24-72 hours after treatment
- Skin dryness, flaking, and tightness during the healing period
- Temporary bruising, particularly with deeper needle settings or in vascular areas
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, though less common than with ablative laser treatments
- Rare risk of infection if proper aftercare and sterile technique are not followed
- Activation of herpes simplex virus (cold sores) in patients with a history of oral herpes
- Allergic reaction to topical products applied during or after the procedure
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 5 sources, including government health agencies, peer-reviewed research.
Government & research
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-10-21