Microneedling in Chesapeake, VA
Your skin already knows how to repair itself. Every scrape you healed as a kid, every minor cut that closed on its own, was your body's collagen production machinery responding to an injury signal and rebuilding tissue from within. Microneedling takes that built-in intelligence and puts it to work on your terms.
At The Injectory, we use the SkinPen Precision system, the first microneedling device to earn FDA clearance in the United States, paired with either platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or exosomes to accelerate healing and amplify results. The treatment addresses acne scars, fine lines, enlarged pores, uneven texture, and dull tone by prompting your skin to produce fresh collagen and elastin at a pace it would never reach on its own. Our Chesapeake clinic serves patients throughout Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, and the greater Hampton Roads region.
See what your skin can do.
Book your microneedling consultation at The Injectory: Schedule online
The SkinPen is a pen-shaped device fitted with a sterile, single-use cartridge of fine surgical-grade needles. During treatment, the device oscillates at a controlled speed and depth, creating thousands of microscopic channels in the skin's surface. Each channel is small enough to be invisible to the naked eye but deep enough to reach the dermis, the layer where collagen and elastin fibers live.
Those micro-injuries trigger a cascading wound-healing response that unfolds in three distinct phases. The first is inflammation, during which your body sends platelets and white blood cells to the treatment area to clean up damaged tissue and release initial growth factors. The second is proliferation, when fibroblasts migrate to the micro-wound sites and begin producing new collagen and elastin. The third is remodeling, a longer process during which newly formed collagen fibers mature, strengthen, and reorganize into a tighter, more uniform matrix. This final phase continues for months after each session, which is why microneedling results improve progressively over time rather than peaking immediately.
The SkinPen earned its FDA De Novo classification (DEN160029) specifically for improving the appearance of facial acne scars, and a subsequent 510(k) clearance (K202243) for improving neck wrinkles. It is backed by over 90 validation studies and has been used on more than three million patients worldwide. That regulatory and clinical track record is why we chose it over the dozens of uncleared devices on the market.
How SkinPen microneedling works
Microneedling on its own stimulates meaningful collagen production. But the micro-channels the SkinPen creates also serve a second purpose: they become temporary delivery pathways for biological agents that would otherwise sit on the skin's surface and never reach the dermis. At The Injectory, every SkinPen treatment includes the application of either PRP or exosomes, selected by your provider based on your skin concerns, your age, and your goals.
PRP and exosomes: what we apply and why it matters
PRP is derived from your own blood. A small sample is drawn before your treatment, placed in a centrifuge, and spun to concentrate the platelet-rich layer. Those platelets contain growth factors including PDGF, TGF-beta, and VEGF, which accelerate tissue repair, stimulate fibroblast activity, and promote the formation of new blood vessels in the treated area. Because PRP is autologous (sourced from your own body), there is virtually no risk of allergic reaction or incompatibility. Clinical studies on PRP-enhanced microneedling have shown up to 62% improvement in acne scarring compared to 45% with microneedling alone, a meaningful jump driven by the concentrated growth factor delivery.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles, typically 30 to 150 nanometers in diameter, derived from stem cells. They function as cellular messengers, carrying proteins, growth factors, and microRNA that instruct your skin cells to repair, regenerate, and produce collagen at an accelerated rate. Unlike PRP, which varies in potency based on the patient's age, health, and platelet count, exosome preparations deliver a standardized concentration of signaling molecules in every application.
A 2023 randomized split-face study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology compared microneedling with adipose stem cell-derived exosomes against microneedling with saline over 12 weeks. The exosome-treated side showed wrinkle roughness reductions of 12% to 14%, an 11.3% increase in skin elasticity, and greater collagen density on histological analysis. These are early but compelling results, and they align with what we observe clinically in our own patients.
Exosomes
Your provider will discuss both options during your consultation and recommend the approach that best fits your skin. There is no wrong choice here. Both PRP and exosomes elevate the treatment well beyond what microneedling alone can achieve.
Microneedling's versatility is one of its most valuable qualities. Because the mechanism of action is collagen induction rather than targeting a single pigment or structure, it addresses a wide range of skin concerns simultaneously.
What microneedling treats
Arrive with clean skin, free of makeup, sunscreen, and active skincare products. If you are receiving PRP, a small blood draw will be performed first and your sample will be processed while your skin is prepped. Your provider will apply a topical numbing cream to the treatment area approximately 20 to 30 minutes before the procedure begins. This ensures a comfortable experience, particularly on more sensitive areas like the forehead and upper cheeks.
What to expect during your appointment
Your provider will adjust the SkinPen's needle depth based on the area being treated and the specific concern being addressed. Depths typically range from 0.5mm for delicate areas to 2.0mm or more for deeper acne scarring. The device moves across the skin in controlled, overlapping passes. Most patients describe the sensation as a mild vibrating pressure. Full-face treatments generally take 20 to 30 minutes once the numbing has taken effect. Immediately after needling, your provider will apply PRP or exosomes directly to the treated skin, where the micro-channels allow rapid absorption into the dermal layer.
Your skin will appear red and feel warm, similar to a moderate sunburn. This is the inflammatory phase beginning exactly as it should. Redness typically subsides within 24 to 48 hours. Some patients experience mild flaking or dryness in the days following treatment as the skin turns over. Avoid direct sun exposure, active ingredients (retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C), and heavy makeup for at least 72 hours. Your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions and recommend products that support healing without disrupting the remodeling process.
Before treatment
During treatment
After treatment
How many sessions you will need
Microneedling is a cumulative treatment. Each session builds on the collagen produced by the previous one. For general skin rejuvenation, texture improvement, and pore refinement, most patients see optimal results after a series of four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. For moderate to severe acne scarring, your provider may recommend four to six sessions, with deeper needle depths and more aggressive protocols in later sessions as your skin's tolerance and collagen reserves increase.
Results become visible within two to four weeks after each session as new collagen reaches the surface, but the full remodeling process continues for up to six months following your final treatment. This extended timeline is a feature, not a limitation. It means your skin continues to improve long after you leave the clinic.
One of the most significant advantages microneedling holds over laser-based skin treatments is that it does not rely on light or heat energy to produce results. The mechanism is purely mechanical: controlled micro-injury followed by the body's own healing response. This means there is no risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by the treatment targeting melanin in the skin, a concern that has historically limited the use of certain lasers and chemical peels on Fitzpatrick skin types IV through VI.
SkinPen microneedling is FDA-cleared for all skin types and can be performed year-round. While we still recommend sun protection as part of your aftercare routine, you do not need to plan your treatments around seasonal sun exposure the way you would with many laser procedures. For Hampton Roads patients who live an outdoor lifestyle near the coast, that flexibility is a meaningful practical advantage.
Safe for all skin tones, any time of year
Pairing microneedling with other treatments at The Injectory
Microneedling works beautifully as a standalone treatment. It also integrates naturally into a broader skin strategy. Many of our Chesapeake and Virginia Beach patients layer microneedling with other services on our menu to address concerns from multiple angles.
VI Peels, for example, complement microneedling by addressing surface-level pigmentation and accelerating cell turnover in the epidermis, while microneedling works deeper in the dermis to rebuild structural collagen. Patients dealing with both acne scarring and active breakouts may benefit from pairing SkinPen treatments with our Face Reality acne program, which targets the root causes of acne through medical-grade skincare while microneedling remodels the scarring left behind.
For patients who have completed a significant weight loss journey, whether through our GLP-1 medical weight loss program or on their own, microneedling can help tighten and refine facial skin that may have lost volume and elasticity. In those cases, a combination of microneedling, biostimulators like Sculptra or Radiesse, and Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling delivers the most comprehensive results.
Microneedling for the Chesapeake and Virginia Beach community
Coastal Virginia living means constant sun exposure, salt air, and a humid climate that can take a quiet toll on skin health over the years. Patients in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach often come to us with sun damage, textural changes, and early signs of aging that are directly related to the amount of time they spend outdoors. Microneedling addresses all of those concerns with a treatment that works with the body rather than against it, requires minimal downtime, and delivers results that hold up under the conditions of daily life in Hampton Roads.
We also see a high volume of patients in their twenties and thirties seeking microneedling for acne scarring. Many dealt with breakouts during their teens and early adult years and now want to address the scars that remain. SkinPen's targeted FDA clearance for facial acne scars gives those patients confidence that they are investing in a treatment with a genuine clinical evidence base, not a trend.
The Injectory is located at 204 Carmichael Way, Suite 100, in Chesapeake, VA 23322, inside the Griffey Eye Care building. We serve patients from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, and the surrounding communities. Appointments are available Monday through Saturday.
Your skin has been repairing itself your entire life. Microneedling simply gives it the signal to do more. Schedule a consultation at The Injectory and let your provider design a treatment plan around your skin, your concerns, and your timeline.
Book your consultation online
Or call us at (757) 302-1030
204 Carmichael Way, Suite 100, Chesapeake, VA 23322
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Medical disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that should be performed by a qualified provider. Individual results vary based on skin type, condition severity, and treatment adherence. The Injectory does not guarantee specific outcomes. Always consult with your provider before starting any new cosmetic treatment.