The short answer
Nano cartridges work the surface of the skin for serum absorption and gentle maintenance. Micro-needle cartridges go deeper and are what you use for scars, wrinkles and texture. Most people who treat regularly end up owning both.
The actual difference
Micro-needles are fine stainless steel pins that create controlled micro-channels into the dermis. That triggers the skin's healing response and the collagen and elastin production that follows. Depth is adjustable, typically 0.25mm to 2.5mm.
Nano tips are not needles in the same sense. They are silicone-tipped cones that separate the cells of the outermost layer rather than piercing into the dermis. There is no meaningful depth setting — they work the surface.
That one structural difference decides everything else: what each treats, how often you can use it, and how much downtime you get.
Use micro-needles for
- Acne, surgical and other scarring. Scar tissue sits below the surface, deeper than a nano tip reaches.
- Fine lines and loss of firmness. Collagen induction needs the healing response that only depth triggers.
- Stretch marks. Body skin is thicker and generally needs 1.5mm and up.
- Enlarged pores and rough texture. Cell turnover from controlled micro-injury.
Available as 11, 16, 36 and 42 pin for the M8, and 12 through 42 pin for the A20.
Use nano tips for
- Serum absorption. The main reason people buy them. Channels in the surface layer let actives travel further.
- Sensitive or reactive skin. Far less trauma, far less redness.
- Maintenance between micro-needling sessions. Nano suits an every-second-day rhythm, which deeper needling does not.
- Brightening and surface smoothing where you are not looking to remodel anything underneath.
Nano cartridges: A20, M8, M8S, A6S and A11.
How often you can use each
| Type | Depth | Frequency | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nano | Surface only | Every second day | Hours |
| Micro 0.25mm | 0.25mm | Every second day | Hours |
| Micro 0.5mm | 0.5mm | 1–3 times weekly | 1 day |
| Micro 1.0mm | 1.0mm | Every 2 weeks | 2–3 days |
| Micro 1.5mm | 1.5mm | Every 3–4 weeks | 3–5 days |
| Micro 2.0–2.5mm | 2.0–2.5mm | Every 6 weeks | Up to a week |
Depths of 2.0mm and above are best done with professional supervision rather than at home.
Using both together
A common routine is nano weekly for serum absorption and maintenance, with a micro-needling session at your chosen depth every two to four weeks depending on what you are treating. That keeps the surface working while giving the deeper tissue time to heal properly in between.
If progress feels slow, it is tempting to add extra sessions — but the healing interval is where the result actually comes from, not the session itself. Keeping to the spacing above is usually the faster route, even though it does not feel like it.
Which should you buy first?
If you are new to this and your skin is reactive, start with nano and a 0.25mm micro cartridge. If you bought the pen specifically for scars or stretch marks, nano is not the tool for that job — go to the depth your concern needs, and our needle depth guide will point you to the right number.
For which pin count to pair with which device, our cartridge guide lists every platform. Dr. Pen builds cartridges to match a specific handpiece, so it is worth a quick check before ordering — and if you are ever unsure, send us a photo of your pen and we will confirm which ones fit.
Please speak with your doctor before purchasing any Dr. Pen product. This content is not intended to substitute for the advice of a qualified physician, pharmacist or other licensed healthcare professional.
