Better skin doesn't always require a laser.
Traditional pen microneedling is one of our most versatile treatments for improving overall skin quality without thermal energy. Use it for correction, use it in a series, or keep it in your routine as a maintenance treatment when you simply want your skin to look smoother, fresher and healthier.
Microneedling does not replace HALO or CO₂ resurfacing—and it doesn't need to. We choose the treatment based on your skin, your goals, the amount of correction you need and the downtime you're willing to have.
A simple treatment with a lot of jobs.
A medical microneedling pen creates controlled micro-injuries that trigger the skin's repair response. Over time, that response supports collagen remodeling and improvement in skin texture and quality.
Texture + Pores
For roughness, uneven texture and the appearance of enlarged pores when smoother-looking skin is the goal.
Acne Scars
A useful collagen-induction treatment for selected atrophic facial acne scars, often performed as a series and sometimes combined with other modalities.
Fine Lines + Collagen
Supports gradual collagen remodeling for fine lines, early age-related changes and overall skin quality.
Low Functional Downtime
You may look pink, dry or freshly treated, but most patients can continue normal daily activities without hiding away for days.
Broad Treatment Utility
Traditional pen microneedling uses mechanical needling rather than laser or radiofrequency heat, giving us a different option when thermal energy isn't the tool we want.
Maintenance + Glow
You don't need a major problem to benefit. Periodic treatments can be used simply to maintain skin quality, smoothness and that fresh post-treatment glow.
Microneedling + Chemical Peel
Our Signature Microneedling + Peel is designed for patients who want to address both texture and surface quality in one intentional protocol.
Microneedling creates the controlled injury and collagen stimulus. The selected chemical peel adds a second layer of treatment aimed at concerns such as dullness, uneven tone, texture and discoloration.
At Bolus, we also use this combination selectively as part of customized plans for melasma and acne scarring when the patient's skin and treatment history make the protocol appropriate.
We begin with topical anesthetic for approximately 45 minutes for comfort.
The pen treatment is performed first, with depth and technique individualized to the area and concern.
The customized peel is then applied immediately after microneedling as part of our combination protocol.
Expect temporary redness and possible dryness or peeling, followed by the fresh, smooth look patients love from this treatment.
Does this replace HALO or CO₂?
No. Microneedling fills a different role. If your skin needs the degree of resurfacing or correction we can achieve with HALO or CO₂, we will tell you.
Still not sure? Take the Skin Treatment Quiz →
Take the 60-Second Skin Treatment Quiz.
Microneedling? RF microneedling? MOXI? BBL? HALO? CO₂? Tell us what bothers you, how much downtime you're willing to have and what kind of result you're looking for.
We'll help you understand which treatment paths may make the most sense before you spend money on the wrong thing.
Educational guidance only. Final treatment recommendations are made after clinical assessment.
Your quiz can route patients by:
- Primary concern: pigment, melasma, redness, acne, scars, pores, texture, lines, laxity or glow
- Desired level of correction
- Downtime tolerance
- Skin tone / pigmentation tendency
- Previous treatments
- Upcoming event or timeline
Connect this button/form to your quiz or CRM when ready. The page is already designed to support the capture point.
Low functional downtime.
You may look treated. You generally don't have to put your life on hold.
Temporary redness or pinkness, mild swelling, tightness, sensitivity and dryness can occur. Some patients experience light flaking or peeling. Most continue normal daily activities while the skin settles.
Expect the same early redness, with a greater chance of visible dryness, flaking or peeling because chemical exfoliation is intentionally added. The amount varies with the peel, skin and treatment intensity.
Not everything has to be corrective.
Microneedling can be incorporated periodically as part of an ongoing skin-quality plan—even approximately monthly when appropriate. It can be used between larger corrective treatments or simply as maintenance when the goal is smoother texture, collagen support and an excellent glow.
Think of it as another tool in your long-term skin plan rather than something you only do when your skin has a major problem.
What about RF microneedling?
We offer that too—but it is not the same treatment. Traditional pen microneedling creates mechanical micro-injury without thermal energy. RF microneedling adds controlled radiofrequency heat at depth.
RF may be considered when we want a different level of remodeling for concerns such as more substantial texture, acne scarring or laxity. It deserves its own assessment, settings and safety discussion rather than being presented as simply “better microneedling.”
Which one do I need?
If you don't know, that's normal. We assess your skin and decide whether traditional microneedling, Signature Microneedling + Peel, RF microneedling, a laser—or a combination over time—makes the most sense.
Simple pricing. Better value for Private Clients.
Medical Microneedling
Traditional pen microneedling treatment.
Microneedling + Chemical Peel
Our combination protocol for patients seeking a more comprehensive texture + surface treatment.
Exclusive pricing rewards consistency.
Packages are available for finite treatment plans, and Private Clients may also purchase a series. Your Foundation or Elevated tier sets the treatment price for each visit in that series—no double discounting, just clear exclusive pricing.
What patients usually want to know.
What does microneedling help with?
We commonly use traditional medical microneedling for overall skin quality, texture, the appearance of pores, fine lines and selected atrophic acne scars. It can also be incorporated as a maintenance treatment when the goal is simply smoother, fresher-looking skin.
Does microneedling replace HALO or CO₂?
No. Microneedling is a different tool. HALO and CO₂ can provide levels and types of resurfacing that traditional microneedling does not. We choose based on the concern, skin type, desired correction and acceptable downtime.
What happens during the Signature Microneedling + Peel?
We begin with approximately 45 minutes of topical numbing. Medical microneedling is performed first. A selected chemical peel is then applied immediately afterward as part of the combination protocol. Peel choice and treatment intensity are individualized.
Is the Signature treatment used for melasma?
It can be one component of a customized melasma plan for selected patients. Melasma is complex and recurrence is common, so we do not treat it as a one-procedure problem. Skin type, triggers, home care, pigment history and other treatment options are considered before recommending a plan.
How much downtime should I expect?
Functional downtime is generally low. Redness, tightness, mild swelling, sensitivity, dryness and peeling can occur. The Signature treatment may create more visible flaking or peeling because a chemical peel is added.
How often can I microneedle?
Frequency depends on treatment depth, indication, healing and the overall plan. Some patients complete a corrective series, while others use lighter periodic treatments for maintenance and glow. In appropriate patients, maintenance may be performed approximately monthly.
Microneedling or RF microneedling—which is better?
Neither is automatically better. Traditional microneedling is mechanical and does not add thermal energy. RF microneedling adds radiofrequency heat and has a different risk-benefit profile. We choose the modality based on what we're trying to improve.
Acne scars rarely need one tool.
Traditional microneedling can support collagen remodeling and improve selected textural acne scars, but scar architecture matters. Rolling or tethered scars, ice-pick scars and broader textural scarring may require different treatments or sequencing.
Rolling / Tethered Scars
Ice-Pick / Deep Narrow Scars
Correction when you need it. Maintenance when you don't.
Bolus Med Spa is located at 7310 Esquire Court, Suite 209, Elkridge, MD 21075, serving Columbia, Ellicott City, Hanover, Clarksville, Baltimore, Annapolis and surrounding Maryland communities.
We'll choose the treatment based on your skin—not what's trending.
Traditional microneedling, our Signature Microneedling + Peel, RF microneedling and laser resurfacing all have a place. The goal is to use the right tool for the result you're actually trying to achieve.
