Microneedling in Reston, VA and Chevy Chase, MD
Microneedling at The Naderi Center is performed by Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, our board-certified dermatologist, at our offices in Reston, Virginia and Chevy Chase, Maryland, and by our licensed master aesthetician in Reston. Using the Collagen P.I.N., we treat acne scars, enlarged pores, fine lines, rough texture and stretch marks, with or without platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Patients come to us from Washington DC, McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Bethesda and Potomac.
Most patients begin with 4 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, then keep their results with one session every 4 months. Redness usually settles within 24 to 48 hours.
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What Are the Benefits of Microneedling?
Microneedling makes thousands of tiny, controlled channels in your skin. Your skin heals them by making new collagen and elastin, which smooths scars and rough texture and brings back a healthy glow, with only a day or two of redness.
Dr. Shervin Naderi, named to Newsweek America’s Best Plastic Surgeons
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Microneedling Before and After Photos
Microneedling results build gradually as new collagen forms, so the best photos are taken a few months after a series of treatments. Below is one of our own patients, followed by results shared by the maker of the Collagen P.I.N., the microneedling device we use in Reston and Chevy Chase.
Our patient
Microneedling with PRP, combined with monthly HydraFacials and VI Peels, for acne, pigmentation and texture, at The Naderi Center.
Real patients of The Naderi Center. Individual results vary.
Collagen P.I.N. results
Photos courtesy of Induction Therapies, maker of Collagen P.I.N.®
Watch: PRP microneedling
What Does Microneedling Treat?
Microneedling treats acne scars, enlarged pores, fine lines, rough or uneven texture and stretch marks by getting your skin to make new collagen. Using the Collagen P.I.N., Dr. Snodgrass or our master aesthetician passes a pen of very fine needles over the skin, making thousands of tiny channels at a controlled depth. Your skin repairs those channels with fresh collagen and elastin over the next few months, which is why results build gradually and keep improving for weeks after each session. The channels also let PRP and serums reach deeper than they could on the surface.
Microneedling can help with:
- Acne scars
- Enlarged pores
- Fine lines and early wrinkles
- Rough, dull or uneven texture
- Mild sun damage and uneven tone
- Stretch marks on the body
- Some surgical and injury scars
Who Is a Good Candidate for Microneedling?
Most healthy adults who want smoother, firmer-looking skin are good candidates, including people with darker skin tones. Microneedling doesn’t rely on the heat that can leave dark spots, and we adjust the depth and aftercare for darker skin.
You’re likely a good candidate if:
- You have acne scars, enlarged pores, fine lines or rough texture
- You have stretch marks on the body
- You can plan on 4 to 6 sessions, then one session every 4 months to keep your results
Microneedling should wait if you:
- Have an active breakout, cold sore, infection or open wound in the area
- Are undergoing radiation treatment or have a history of poor wound healing
- Have taken isotretinoin (Accutane) in the last 6 months
If loose skin along the jawline or neck is your main concern, Morpheus8 adds radiofrequency heat and firms more than microneedling can. For brown spots and deeper wrinkles, laser resurfacing may be the better fit.
What to Expect Before, During and After Microneedling
Before your appointment
- If you have active acne in the treatment area, call us to reschedule.
- If you get cold sores, tell us. You may be prescribed an antiviral.
- Stop Retin-A and other retinoids, exfoliants, hydroquinone, benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics 3 days before. No chemical peels, waxing or hair-removal creams for 2 weeks before.
- No sun, tanning beds or self-tanner for 3 days before. A sunburn means we’ll need to reschedule.
- If you’re having PRP, eat and drink beforehand, and skip aspirin, Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen and naproxen for a week before and after. Tylenol is fine.
- Arrive with clean skin, and tell us about any medications, allergies, pregnancy or nursing.
During your treatment
We apply numbing cream and let it work for 30 to 45 minutes. Then Dr. Snodgrass or our master aesthetician passes the Collagen P.I.N. over each area. Most people feel light pressure or scratching, mainly over bony areas, and some pinpoint bleeding is normal. If you chose PRP, we draw a small amount of blood at the start and apply the PRP during treatment. Treatment itself takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Which Microneedling Device Do We Use?
We use the Collagen P.I.N. (Percutaneous Induction Needling), an FDA-cleared, medical-grade microneedling device made by Induction Therapies, for every microneedling treatment at our Reston and Chevy Chase offices. FDA clearance means the FDA reviewed the device’s safety testing and clinical study before it could be marketed to improve the appearance of facial acne scars. Not every microneedling pen has been through that review, and it is one of the reasons we chose this one.
What sets it apart
- 36 fine needles in each cartridge, more than most microneedling pens, for smooth, even passes
- Depth adjusts from 0.1 to 3.0 millimeters, so we can match it to each area, from delicate skin to deeper acne scars
- A strong, high-speed motor for quick, consistent treatment
- A new sterile, single-use needle cartridge for every patient
- A sealed cartridge that keeps blood, PRP and serums out of the handpiece
FDA 510(k) clearance K222199, October 2022. View the FDA record
“At The Naderi Center, we use the Collagen P.I.N. It truly is one of the best microneedling devices on the market. Its power and depth of penetration allow me to give my patients a more aggressive microneedling treatment, with significant improvement in skin texture and tone.”
– Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, Board Certified Dermatologist
Microneedling with PRP
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is made from a small sample of your own blood, spun to concentrate the platelets and growth factors. We apply it to your skin during and right after microneedling, while the tiny channels let it absorb deeper. Patients often choose PRP for acne scars and for calmer, faster healing, and research suggests it improves acne scar results compared with microneedling alone. If PRP is part of your treatment, leave it on your skin until the next morning. Afterward, we recommend Plated Skin Science products to support healing.
Microneedling vs. Morpheus8 vs. Laser Resurfacing
| Microneedling | Morpheus8 | Laser resurfacing (UltraClear) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Fine needles, no heat | Deeper needles plus radiofrequency heat | Laser energy resurfaces the skin |
| Best for | Acne scars, pores, texture, stretch marks | Loose skin along the jawline and neck, deeper texture | Sun damage, brown spots, deeper wrinkles and scars |
| Sessions | 4 to 6, then every 4 months | 3 to 4, then once a year | Often one |
| Downtime | 24 to 48 hours of redness | 24 to 48 hours of redness | 5 to 10 days |
| Where | Reston and Chevy Chase | Reston | Reston |
Microneedling Reviews
Excerpts from 5-star Google reviews of our Reston and Chevy Chase offices.
How Many Microneedling Sessions Will I Need?
Most patients start with 4 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. After that, one session every 4 months keeps your collagen building and your results looking their best, and most patients benefit from at least three sessions a year. Deeper acne scars and stretch marks usually need the full series, and your provider will map out your plan at your consultation.
How Much Does Microneedling Cost in Reston and Chevy Chase?
Microneedling at The Naderi Center ranges from $700 to $1,000 per session, depending on who performs it and whether PRP is added.
| Treatment | Performed by | Per session |
|---|---|---|
| Microneedling | Master aesthetician (Reston) | $700 |
| Microneedling with PRP | Master aesthetician (Reston) | $850 |
| Microneedling with PRP | Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, board-certified dermatologist | $1,000 |
Packages of three or more treatments save 10%, and Cherry financing is available.
Microneedling Recovery, Day by Day
Protect your skin strictly from the sun for 3 months after each treatment. See your full microneedling instructions.
What Healing Looks Like After Microneedling
One of our patients right after treatment, the next day and one week later.
Is Microneedling Safe? Risks and Side Effects
Microneedling is very safe in experienced hands. Redness, swelling, pinpoint bleeding, dryness and mild flaking are expected and fade within days. Less common problems include bruising, a cold sore flare, infection, and dark or light patches. They’re more likely when aftercare isn’t followed, or when the treatment is done at the wrong depth or with a home device.
Call us right away if you have:
- Blisters or a cold sore outbreak
- Pain or redness that gets worse after 2 to 3 days
- Signs of infection, such as pus, warmth or a fever over 101°F
- Hives or a rash
- Any darkening or lightening of the skin
Microneedling in Reston, VA and Chevy Chase, MD
We offer microneedling at both of our offices. In Reston, it is performed by Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, our board-certified dermatologist, or our licensed master aesthetician. In Chevy Chase, Dr. Snodgrass performs microneedling with PRP. Every visit starts with a consultation: your provider examines your skin, talks through your goals and builds your plan. That plan may pair microneedling with medical-grade skincare, a HydraFacial, Botox or fillers.
Reston, Virginia
1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavillion II, Suite 551
Reston, VA 20190
Close to McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Herndon, Arlington and Alexandria.
Chevy Chase, Maryland
5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1655
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Close to Bethesda, Potomac and Washington DC.
PRP microneedling with Dr. Snodgrass
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Microneedling FAQs
Does microneedling hurt?
How soon will I see results?
Can I wear makeup after microneedling?
Is microneedling safe for darker skin?
Does microneedling work on stretch marks?
Who performs microneedling at The Naderi Center?
What microneedling device do you use?
Can I combine microneedling with other treatments?
How long do microneedling results last?
Is there microneedling near me in Bethesda, McLean or Washington DC?
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last reviewed October 2026.