Dr. Pen vs SkinPen: Microneedling Pens Compared (2026)

Dr. Pen and SkinPen are not like-for-like. Dr. Pen sells the M8 for $199 and the M8 Max for $248.82 to anyone online^1,2. SkinPen is a provider device, and Crown Aesthetics, its maker, points visitors to "Find A Provider"¹⁰. SkinPen has four FDA records that name it. Dr. Pen's one record names a different model, the A20^6,8.

Quick answer

• Pick Dr. Pen if you want to own a pen and have discussed it with your doctor, as Dr. Pen's own pages ask^1,2. Budget for cartridges: $5.50 each for the M8⁴.
• Pick SkinPen if you want sessions from a provider, using a device with a De Novo grant and three 510(k)s^7,8.
• Check first: the FDA says it "has not authorized any microneedling medical devices for over-the-counter sale"¹¹.

Weighing a pen against a simpler tool? See derma roller vs derma stamp.

Dr. Pen vs SkinPen at a glance

Notes. M8 price, box and notes¹; M8 Max price and timer²; cartridge prices⁴; returns and warranty³. SkinPen channel¹⁰; FDA records^7,8,9. All checked 24 Oct 2026. We could not open skinpen.com on 24 Oct 2026; it returned a security checkpoint.

How we compared Checked on 24 Oct 2026. We compared the same points for each pen: who can buy it, price, cartridges, box, FDA record, returns and warranty. We read Dr. Pen's US pages, store data and refund policy, the FDA De Novo record and 510(k) summaries, Crown Aesthetics' site, and FDA and AAD guidance. Facts come from public pages only. Nobody at DermaRatings has used either pen.

Who can buy each one?

Dr. Pen sells the M8 and M8 Max on its US site^1,2. The M8 Max page says "Please speak with your doctor before purchasing any Dr. Pen products", and the M8 page says the same^1,2. The M8 page adds that the product "may not have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration"¹. The M8 Max page says "TGA or FDA"².

Crown Aesthetics' site shows SkinPen with "Find A Provider" and "Become A Provider" links¹⁰. We found no consumer checkout or price there. We could not open skinpen.com itself on 24 Oct 2026.

The FDA advises: "choose a health care provider who is specially trained in microneedling"¹¹. It says these devices "may reach nerves, blood vessels and other parts of the skin"¹¹.

Price and what you get

The Dr. Pen M8 is $199¹. The box holds the pen, two round nano-pin cartridges, a US charger, a USB cable, a manual and a travel case¹. Dr. Pen notes: "This box includes Nano cartridges only"¹. Microneedling cartridges are sold apart, at $55 for a pack of 10⁴. That is $5.50 a cartridge ($55 ÷ 10). The pen plus one pack costs $254.

The M8 Max is $248.82, down from a compare-at price of $319². Its cartridges are $34.50 for 5, or $6.90 each ($34.50 ÷ 5)⁴. The pen plus one pack costs $283.32. The M8 Max adds a 15, 20 or 25-minute timer, a stand that pauses the pen, and cartridge recognition².

Neither Crown Aesthetics nor SkinPen publishes a session price we could read¹⁰. Clinic prices vary; ask the clinic.

How each one is used

The M8 page lists six speeds, up to 15,000 RPM, and a 4-hour battery¹. It says to double-cleanse and work in small areas with a serum¹.

Its cartridge advice reads two ways. One line says cartridges "must be sterilized before each use" with alcohol¹. Further down, it says to dispose of cartridges after every use and not to use "One cartridge more than once"¹. The FDA is clear: "Re-use of the needle cartridge is unsafe and is not consistent with the FDA's review and authorization, even if the cartridge is cleaned"¹².

The M8 page also says not to use the pen on open wounds, on acne or on irritated skin¹.

With SkinPen, the provider handles the pen and the cartridges. The FDA suggests asking "whether a new microneedle cartridge is used for each patient, and for each treatment session"¹².

The AAD warns: "You may overuse microneedling"¹³. For how a pen compares with a gentler infusion tool, see micro infusion vs microneedling.

Safety and regulatory status

Sources:^6,7,8,9, searched 24 Oct 2026.

SkinPen. The FDA granted De Novo DEN160029 for the SkinPen Precision System, a "powered microneedle device", on 1 Mar 2018⁷. Three 510(k)s followed⁸. The K241400 summary covers "wrinkles of the neck for Fitzpatrick skin types II - IV" and "facial acne scars" in adults aged 22 and older⁹. It lists prescription use⁹.

Dr. Pen. openFDA lists K230420, "Dr. pen Microneedling System", applicant Guangzhou Ekai Electronic Technology (11 Aug 2023)⁸. The summary names model A20 and covers "facial acne scars in adults aged 22 years and older"⁶. Its comparison table lists prescription use⁶. Dr. Pen's US site sells the A20 "for Professionals" at $599 and calls it "FDA-cleared"⁵. We found no record that names the M8 or M8 Max. We could not confirm that the applicant is the Dr. Pen US seller.

Returns and warranty

Dr. Pen offers "a 14-day Change of Mind return from the date of purchase, subject to a 20% restocking fee"³. The item must be "In new, unopened condition, including plastic wrap remaining sealed"³. Dr. Pen says that poor results, or claims a treatment "did not work", are not valid grounds for return³. Faults are handled under a 12-month warranty, by replacement, exchange or store credit³.

SkinPen sessions are bought from a provider, so return terms depend on the clinic.

What buyers say

We could not read a Trustpilot profile for drpen.co on 24 Oct 2026. Dr. Pen's store data does not include a rating with a count for the M8 or M8 Max^1,2. SkinPen has no consumer store to rate. Clinic reviews rate the clinic, not the device.

Verdict

These pens answer different needs. Dr. Pen sells home pens at $199 and $248.82, plus cartridges from $5.50 each, with a 14-day return for sealed items only. Its FDA record names the A20, not the home pens. SkinPen is used by providers, has four FDA records that name it, and publishes no consumer price. Choose on whether you want to own a pen or book sessions, and on how much a named FDA record matters to you.

Comparing a pen with an at-home infusion kit? See Dr. Pen vs Qure. For other Dr. Pen models, see the best at-home microneedling pens; for other tools, see Dr. Pen alternatives.

Last checked 24 Oct 2026.