DermaPen 4: what the device is, how it works and whether it is worth buying for your practice

What the DermaPen 4 is

The DermaPen 4 is a pen-shaped electric device that performs controlled micro-punctures of the epidermis and the upper layers of the skin. It does so with a replaceable cartridge fitted with fine needles, which is single-use and snaps onto the tip of the device. The treatment is called microneedling (in practices also micro-needle mesotherapy). The "4" refers to the 4th-generation system: a convenient, cordless device with a screen and adjustable working parameters.

Why are practices so keen to choose it? Because one compact device opens a whole block of services, and every further treatment only uses a cartridge and a preparation. You buy the device once, and from then on you only pay for consumables.

How microneedling works

A needle cartridge makes a great many precise micro-channels in the skin within a short time. The skin responds with its natural renewal process, and the micro-channels also make it easier to introduce preparations chosen for the treatment. You set the working parameters according to the device manual and the type of treatment, and you match the cartridge (number of needles) to the body area and the goal of the treatment.

That is why the same device handles both delicate treatments around the face and larger body areas. All you change is the cartridge and the preparation.

Which treatments you can perform with the DermaPen 4

The treatments most often performed in practices using microneedling include:

• skin renewal and smoothing treatments for the face, neck and décolleté,
• treatments for skin with imperfections and visible pores,
• treatments that even out the look of post-acne scars,
• treatments for stretch marks and uneven skin on the body,
• treatments that improve the condition of the skin around the eyes,
• introducing care preparations, e.g. serums, cocktails and products chosen for the client,
• micro-needle mesotherapy of the scalp.

You can sell each of these treatments individually or as a series, which brings regular, returning clients. You can read more about building the value of a visit in our article on packages and treatment series.

Cartridges: what to choose and how much they cost

The heart of the system is the cartridge. Estelvio offers four variants, all compatible with the 4th-generation system and sold in packs of 10:

• 16 needles (PLN 450 per pack of 10): for precise work on smaller, more demanding areas,
• 24 needles (PLN 550 per pack of 10): a versatile choice for most facial treatments,
• 33 needles (PLN 600 per pack of 10): for larger areas and faster treatments,
• Nano (PLN 500 per pack of 10): for gently introducing preparations into the superficial layers of the skin.

At from PLN 45 per piece, the cost of a cartridge per treatment is small compared with the price of the service. A new device comes with a Starter Pack of 10 cartridges, so you can start working without additional purchases. When your stock runs low, you can reorder in the same place, in the microneedling catalogue.

How much the DermaPen 4 costs at Estelvio

At the time of publishing this article we offer two versions:

• new set with a Starter Pack (10 cartridges): PLN 7,199, 2-year warranty,
• refurbished: PLN 6,450, serviced after refurbishment, 2-year warranty.

Current prices and availability are always shown in the catalogue. The refurbished version is a sensible way to enter microneedling on a smaller budget without giving up the warranty. You will find it in the used equipment tab.

Why this price: no middleman margins

Equipment of this class in European distribution usually passes through several links, and each one adds its own margin. On a practice's shopping list the difference can be very noticeable. We source directly from manufacturers and take on the whole route to your practice, so no further margins are added to the price. We explained how the price is built in the article what makes up the price of a treatment device from factory to practice. The best test is a comparison: put the price from our catalogue next to the offer you get from your current supplier today.

Online training included in the price

Every treatment device bought at Estelvio comes with online training in Estelvio Academy. In the DermaPen 4 course you learn how to work with the device and cartridges, choose a treatment, organise the workstation and guide a client through the whole procedure. You learn at your own pace, without travelling and without closing your practice for a whole day. After passing the test you receive a course completion certificate with a number and a QR code that anyone can verify on our website.

How many treatments it takes for the device to pay for itself

Below is a simple worked example, not a promise of profit. Suppose you sell a treatment for PLN 300 and the consumables for one treatment (cartridge and preparation) cost about PLN 80. That leaves PLN 220 per treatment before other running costs of the practice. With a device price of PLN 7,199, the break-even point is about 33 treatments (7,199 / 220). With a few clients a week, that is a matter of a few months. Every practice has different prices and costs, so it is worth running the numbers on your own figures. We show how to calculate return on investment step by step in the article on expanding your practice with new treatments.

Who the DermaPen 4 is for

• New practices looking for a first device with broad use and low running costs.
• Practices expanding their offer that want to add microneedling to existing treatments.
• Clinics that need an additional, portable device for specific treatments.
• Those who prefer to start with the refurbished version to reduce the initial budget.

What you get when buying from Estelvio

1. 1.A new device (set with a Starter Pack) or a refurbished one, with a 2-year warranty.
2. 2.Cartridges in four variants, available in the same place.
3. 3.Online training with a certificate included in the price.
4. 4.One contact person you can talk to about choosing the right set for your practice.
5. 5.Invoice settlement and delivery to the address you specify.

Summary

The DermaPen 4 is a versatile, practical device that lets you start with a single unit and expand your treatment menu as your client base grows. At Estelvio you will find it at a price without middleman margins, with cartridges and online training in one place. See the DermaPen 4 and cartridges in the catalogue or create a business account to order.