Key takeaways
- At Institut V Esthétique, microneedling is done with the ePen, a motorized device whose depth adjusts to the area being treated.
- A session lasts about 1 hour depending on the areas treated, from $215.
- Recovery is short: redness comparable to a sunburn for 24 to 48 hours.
- The number of sessions is set with you at your consultation, based on your skin and your goals.
- The skin keeps firming in the weeks that follow, as collagen rebuilds.
What exactly is ePen microneedling?
Microneedling uses fine needles to create controlled micro-punctures in the dermis. The skin reacts as it would to a superficial wound: it triggers a repair response and produces new collagen. It is this natural response, and not the passage of the needles in itself, that smooths texture, softens scars and gives the skin its glow.
At Institut V Esthétique, we work with the ePen, a professional motorized device. Its particular feature: the depth adjusts to the area and the goal. We stay superficial on the forehead or around the eyes, and go deeper on the cheeks and on scars.
How do you prepare before a session?
- Avoid exfoliation, retinoids and acids in the days beforehand: the skin needs to be calm, not weakened.
- No sun and no UV in the 48 hours before. If you are burned, we reschedule.
- Come without makeup on the day of the session; it avoids aggressive makeup removal right before the treatment.
- Tell us about your medications and your medical history (herpes, skin infections, ongoing treatments). That is what the consultation is for.
- Moisturize your skin throughout the previous week: well-hydrated skin tolerates the session better.
How does the session unfold, step by step?
- Welcome and validation of the plan. We go over your goals and the areas to treat, and confirm the depth for each one.
- Cleansing and degreasing. The skin is cleansed thoroughly. No trace of makeup or cream should remain: it is the condition for clean work.
- The ePen pass. The device glides over the area in several directions, at the chosen depth. Plan for about an hour on site depending on the areas.
- Application of active ingredients. A suitable care product is applied during and after the pass, to nourish the skin at the moment it absorbs most readily.
- Hydration and advice. We finish with a soothing care product and explain what to do (and not to do) in the next 48 hours.
Does it hurt?
The sensation is similar to tingling and light vibrations. Areas where bone is close to the surface, around the nose and the forehead, are more sensitive than the cheeks. The ePen is clearly more comfortable than manual rollers, because its needles penetrate quickly and the depth stays constant: we adjust and take breaks as needed.
What happens in the 48 hours after?
- Redness: skin that is pink to red, as after a sunburn, fading within 24 to 48 hours.
- Makeup: avoid it for 24 hours, while the micro-punctures close.
- Heat: no sauna, no pool, no intense exercise for 24 to 48 hours.
- Sun: sun protection is mandatory, and avoid direct exposure during the first week.
- Routine: gentle hydration only. No exfoliation and no retinoids for a few days, and we tell you when to resume.
As long as the redness is present, the skin stays sensitive: that is normal, and it is the sign that repair is under way.
When do you see results?
Glow and finer skin texture often appear after the first sessions. For acne scars and lines, the work spreads over several appointments a few weeks apart, because collagen rebuilds slowly. The exact number of sessions depends on your skin and your goals: we set it together at your free consultation rather than selling you a fixed package.
Who can receive microneedling?
Microneedling suits most skin types, but some situations call for postponing the session or adapting the protocol: an infection or an active lesion on the area, an ongoing herpes episode, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or an ongoing dermatological treatment. That is exactly what we validate during the consultation: if the session is not indicated for you right now, we tell you before we start.
Why have your microneedling at Institut V?
We use the ePen, a professional motorized device, in our clinic at 6532 Beaubien East, Montreal, a few minutes from Villeray, Rosemont and Saint-Michel. Sessions start from $215, and every plan is built around your skin rather than around a pre-set package. You can see the details of the treatment on our microneedling in Montreal page, and compare with our other treatments if you are unsure.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a microneedling session last?
Plan for about an hour on site, preparation included, so you are not rushed on the day of your appointment.
Can you have microneedling in the summer?
Yes, provided you follow sun protection and avoid direct exposure in the week that follows. If you have exposure planned (holidays, beach), it is better to schedule the session afterwards.
Microneedling or chemical peel?
Both stimulate skin renewal, but not in the same way: microneedling works through mechanical stimulation of collagen, while a chemical peel works through controlled exfoliation. The choice depends on your skin concern and on the recovery time you can allow yourself. We discuss it during the consultation.
In short
ePen microneedling works in depth to restart collagen, with a short window of redness and results that settle over several weeks. At Institut V Esthétique, on Beaubien, the depth is adjusted area by area and the plan is built around your skin.
Would you like to know whether microneedling is indicated for your skin? Book your free consultation at Institut V Esthétique or call us at (438) 900-0919. Our team explains what is realistic for your case, with no obligation.
