Microneedling · Battersea SW11
Microneedling in London. Your own collagen, brought up to the surface.
Melatone™ Skin Clinic offers clinician-led microneedling for acne scarring and skin texture in Battersea, London. We treat every skin tone, with a special interest in Skin of Colour, and treatment is delivered by Arman Zaki, our GMC-registered Physician Associate. We use the Dr Pen M8s (standard microneedling), not RF microneedling (Morpheus8, Secret RF), because RF heat carries a higher post-inflammatory pigmentation risk for darker skin and our evidence-first approach prioritises safety. Prices from £99.99.
Lower pigment risk than laser, by design. Microneedling works with your skin's own repair, not against your melanin, so it is suitable for treating acne scars and texture in Fitzpatrick IV to VI. We use the Dr Pen M8s, paired with a serum matched to your concern, from hyaluronic acid to targeted serums, polynucleotides or PRP. Delivered by our founder Arman Zaki, GMC-registered Physician Associate.
Collagen induction for acne scars, texture, pores, fine lines and a glass-skin glow. Results build over a course, and in darker skin we go shallower, with fewer passes and careful aftercare. Our Battersea studio sits in the Wandsworth borough of South West London, 10 to 14 minutes' walk from Clapham Junction.
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Microneedling at a glance
What it is
Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, uses fine needles to make controlled micro-channels, prompting your skin to lay down new collagen. It may improve acne scars, texture, pores, fine lines and tone over a course. A non-prescription cosmetic treatment.
The serums we pair
Through the micro-channels we infuse a serum matched to your concern: hyaluronic acid for a glass-skin finish, brightening or peptide serums for tone and skin quality, Salmon DNA (PDRN) for skin quality, or polynucleotides or your own PRP where indicated. Each is chosen and patch-tested to your skin at consultation.
Who delivers it
Arman Zaki, GMC-registered Physician Associate (Ref A8131967). Every plan is led by Arman at consultation.
Skin of Colour
Fitzpatrick I to VI. Because microneedling spares the surface and does not target melanin, it carries a lower risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation than laser or deep peels. We still go shallower and gentler in deeper tones.
Price
From £99.99. Hydration Boost £99.99. Brightening, firming or glow microneedling £150 each (£399 for a course of three). Advanced protocol for acne scars and texture £190 (£540 for three). Vampire facial (PRP microneedling) from £450, or £1,200 for a course of three. Face and neck microneedling £250, or £665 for a course of three. Single sessions and the vampire facial are bookable online; the PRP course is arranged at consultation. Prices verified 25 June 2026.
Where
Melatone Skin Clinic, Unit 13A, Battersea Business Centre, 99-109 Lavender Hill, London SW11 5QL. 10 to 14 minutes' walk from Clapham Junction station.
Outcomes may vary by skin type and individual factors. Aesthetic results are not guaranteed. Treatments delivered in line with MHRA guidance for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. 18 and over only.
Face and neck microneedling
Face and neck microneedling. Forehead to collarbone, in one visit.
Face and neck microneedling at Melatone treats your face and neck in one 75-minute session, for £250, or £665 for a course of three. It is for fine lines and crepey-looking skin on the neck, and uneven tone across the face and neck. The neck is treated at a gentler depth, because its skin is thinner.
Each session includes a consultation with Arman Zaki, GMC-registered Physician Associate, numbing cream, microneedling with the Dr Pen M8s professional pen, a serum chosen for your skin (hyaluronic acid, or LUMI-MESO Bright for dark marks), a red LED light finish and progress photos. The course adds a free follow-up skin check 4 weeks after your third session. Suitable for all skin types, including Fitzpatrick V and VI. Individual results vary.
What the evidence says, and what microneedling will not do for the neck: microneedling for neck lines and crepey skin.
PRP Microneedling · Regenerative
Not a facial. Regenerative skin therapy, powered by your own plasma.
PRP microneedling, widely known as a vampire facial, puts your own biology to work. We take a small blood sample, concentrate the platelet-rich plasma in a medical centrifuge, then infuse that growth-factor-rich plasma through fresh micro-channels created by microneedling. Where filler adds volume from the outside, this supports your skin from within, helping tired, deflated, crepey skin look firmer and fresher, and may improve the appearance of fine lines, texture and overall radiance. Clinician-led and delivered by Arman Zaki, GMC-registered Physician Associate, who performs the blood draw and the treatment himself. Results build over a course, and individual results vary.
Step one
A small blood draw
Arman takes a small blood sample in clinic, the same as a routine blood test, performed by a GMC-registered Physician Associate.
Step two
Concentrated in a medical centrifuge
Your sample is spun in a medical centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelet-rich plasma, the fraction carrying your own growth factors.
Step three
Infused through microneedling
That plasma is infused through fresh micro-channels created by microneedling, with any remaining PRP optionally placed along set lines, so your own biology drives the repair.
What your session includes
- Your blood draw performed in clinic by a GMC-registered Physician Associate, the part most salons cannot legally do
- Your own growth factors, concentrated in a medical centrifuge and driven into fresh micro-channels, the part topical-only PRP facials skip
- A one-to-one consultation and skin assessment with Arman, GMC-registered Physician Associate
- Full-face microneedling at a depth set to your skin and concern
- Topical PRP infused through the micro-channels, with leftover plasma optionally into lines
- A serum and aftercare plan matched to your skin type, calibrated for Skin of Colour
- Nothing synthetic, no filler, no donor material, just your own plasma
Our price
A course of three is £1,200, that works out at £400 a session, £150 less than three single sessions at £1,350.
Single sessions from £450.
Who delivers it
Arman Zaki, GMC-registered Physician Associate, performs the blood draw and the treatment himself. At Melatone in Battersea, South London, it is from £450 a session, or £1,200 for a course of three.
Suitability is confirmed at consultation before any payment for a course. Single sessions are bookable online; the course of three is arranged at your consultation rather than booked online.
PRP microneedling is for adults 18 and over. Individual results vary and outcomes are not guaranteed.
How we use microneedling
A course, not a one-off. Collagen takes its time.
Why a course
New collagen builds over months.
A single session plumps and hydrates, but the real change in scars and texture comes from new collagen, which your skin lays down and remodels over one to six months. So scar and texture work is built on a course of three to six sessions about four weeks apart, with maintenance after. A single session is always available. Individual results vary.
Skin of Colour, done properly
Lower pigment risk, not no risk.
Microneedling is suitable for Fitzpatrick IV to VI because it spares most of the surface and does not target melanin, unlike laser or deep peels. But deeper skin can still react, so we go shallower, use fewer passes, spread the work across more sessions, and insist on strict broad spectrum SPF 50 for seven days. Honest care beats an aggressive setting.
Fun fact
Microneedling doesn't add collagen.
It talks your skin into making its own.
Those tiny needle channels flip your skin into repair mode, so it grows fresh collagen all on its own, the scaffolding that keeps skin firm and smooth. The clever part: it rebuilds deep down while the surface stays intact. In the original study, skin was about 40% thicker a year on, and people rated themselves 60 to 80% better. Your skin does the building. We just set the conditions.
Evidence via PubMed. El-Domyati et al., Int J Dermatol 2015, doi:10.1111/ijd.12761; Aust et al., Plast Reconstr Surg 2008, doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000304612.72899.02. Findings come from studies on aging and photoaged skin; individual results vary.
The pen and the serums
A professional pen, and a serum matched to your concern.
Dr Pen M8s
The precise professional pen
- · Adjustable depth 0.25 to 2.5 mm, six speed settings
- · Fine needle and nano cartridge options, for needling or gentle nano-infusion
- · Cordless and rechargeable, with a single-use, back-flow-protected cartridge each time
Our workhorse for hydration, glass-skin and general texture work.
The device
Precision you can dial in.
Choose your serum by concern
One treatment, matched to what your skin needs.
Through the micro-channels we infuse a targeted serum, chosen with you at consultation. Each one is selected and patch-tested to your skin and your concern.
Concern · Pigmentation & uneven tone
LUMI-MESO BRIGHT
A brightening serum to support a clearer, more even-looking complexion. Formulated with skin of colour in mind, and delivered by gentle nano-infusion.
Tranexamic Acid · Niacinamide · Glutathione · Vitamin C
Concern · Fine lines, firmness & tired skin
LUMI-MESO ELITE
Our peptide-rich all-rounder, to support smoother, firmer, fresher-looking skin and overall skin quality.
25-Peptide Complex · Polynucleotides · Niacinamide · Vitamin C · Vitamin B12
Concern · Depleted skin & loss of radiance
Stayve Salmon DNA Gold
A premium Korean regenerative ampoule with salmon DNA (PDRN), peptides and 99.9% gold, to support recovery, elasticity and a luminous, glowing finish.
Salmon DNA (PDRN) · Peptides · Niacinamide · 99.9% Gold
Concern · Dryness & dehydration
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Lightweight hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture and support a plumper, smoother, hydrated finish. Barrier-friendly, and our gentlest option.
1.2% Hyaluronic Acid · Vegan · Fragrance-free
For regenerative and advanced work we also pair polynucleotides (a fibroblast scaffold) or your own PRP, absorbed through the fresh micro-channels. More on polynucleotides. Your serum, depth and device are confirmed at consultation, and patch-tested where your skin needs it.
Who delivers your microneedling
A GMC-registered Physician Associate, on every treatment.
Microneedling is delivered by Arman Zaki, our founder and GMC-registered Physician Associate. Every patient's plan is led by Arman at consultation, with aseptic technique and a written aftercare plan, every time.
Founder · GMC-registered Physician Associate
Arman Zaki
Founder of Melatone Skin Clinic and GMC-registered Physician Associate (Ref A8131967). BSc Biomedical Science and PgDip Physician Associate Studies, with years of NHS general practice experience and a declared special interest in regenerative skin and pigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin. Leads every patient's consultation and plan.
Read Arman's full profile →"Microneedling rewards restraint. The right depth, the right serum, and a barrier you respect. In darker skin, that judgement is the whole treatment."
Arman Zaki, Founder and GMC-registered Physician Associate
The evidence, honestly stated
The evidence, and the honest limits.
Microneedling has good evidence for atrophic acne scars and a notably favourable safety profile in darker skin. According to research indexed on PubMed, a systematic review of randomised trials found microneedling effective for atrophic acne scars with no serious adverse effects, and a dedicated review concluded it is favourable in skin of colour with minimal adverse events. For melasma, the evidence supports microneedling only as an adjunct to topical care, not a standalone fix, and pigment can still react, so we treat melasma conservatively. We are equally honest that exosomes, while promising, are still early-stage and not an approved topical.
Citations (PubMed)
Cohen BE, Elbuluk N. (2016). Microneedling in skin of color: a review of uses and efficacy. J Am Acad Dermatol. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.09.024.
Sitohang IBS, et al. (2021). Microneedling in the treatment of atrophic scars: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Int Wound J. doi:10.1111/iwj.13559.
Bailey AJM, et al. (2022). Microneedling as an adjuvant to topical therapies for melasma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.03.116.
Source: peer-reviewed literature indexed on PubMed. Microneedling may improve the appearance of scars, texture and tone; results build over a course and individual results vary. Outcomes are not guaranteed. See also our Skin of Colour care and polynucleotides.
Finding us in Battersea
Unit 13A, Battersea Business Centre, SW11 5QL.
South side of Lavender Hill at the junction with Latchmere Road. 10 to 14 minutes' walk from Clapham Junction, or a short bus from Battersea Park station. Bus routes that stop on Lavender Hill: 77, 87, 156, 345 (night services N77 and N345).
In the London Borough of Wandsworth, central to South West London and within easy reach of Clapham, Battersea, Chelsea, Wandsworth, Brixton, Vauxhall, Pimlico, Putney and Stockwell.
The part most clinics do not publish
The PIH-aware protocol, in full.
Microneedling in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin carries a real risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. When protocolled correctly, it is also a well-evidenced option for the scarring and texture that disproportionately affect richly pigmented skin (Cohen and Elbuluk, 2016). The variable is not your skin. It is depth, density, pass count, priming and aftercare. This is ours, stated plainly.
- 1. Priming, two to four weeks before. For Fitzpatrick IV to VI, and anyone with a PIH history, we prime the skin first to reduce melanocyte reactivity. The regimen is prescribed at assessment.
- 2. Depth by region, not by protocol name. Needle depth is set to the thinnest tissue in each zone. Excess depth is the single largest driver of avoidable inflammation.
- 3. Pass-count discipline. Fewer, better passes. We target uniform redness, not confluent bleeding, as the endpoint in reactive skin.
- 4. No overlapping trauma. Systematic, mapped coverage. Repeated passing concentrates inflammation and pigment risk.
- 5. Anti-inflammatory finish. Immediate cooling, a barrier occlusive, and a defined 72 hour regimen. No actives, no heat, no friction.
- 6. Non-negotiable photoprotection. Broad spectrum SPF 50 daily. Ultraviolet in the healing window is the most reliable way to turn a good treatment into a pigment problem.
- 7. Conservative intervals. Four to six weeks between sessions in richly pigmented skin, so inflammation fully resolves before the next stimulus.
Why the epidermis staying intact matters: ablative lasers and deep peels remove the epidermis, which is exactly what triggers pigmentation in darker skin. Microneedling perforates it instead, leaving surrounding keratinocytes and melanocytes as a reservoir for rapid healing. That structural difference is why it is the appropriate collagen-induction modality for skin of colour. Rolling scars respond best, boxcar moderately, ice-pick least, and we will tell you which you have, with photographs, before you spend. Planned and supervised by Arman Zaki, Physician Associate (GMC registered), Director and Clinical Lead. Results vary. Treatments are for over 18s.
The essentials
- Device
- Dr Pen M8s microneedling pen, with a serum matched to your concern.
- Price
- From £99.99. Hydration Boost £99.99; brightening, firming or glow microneedling £150 a session or £399 for a course of three; the Advanced protocol for acne scars and texture £190 or £540 for three; PRP microneedling from £450 or £1,200 for three; face and neck microneedling £250 or £665 for three.
- Course
- Three to six sessions, about four weeks apart. Results build over one to six months.
- Who delivers it
- Arman Zaki, our founder and GMC-registered Physician Associate (Ref A8131967), on every treatment.
- Skin tones
- Suitable for all skin types, including Fitzpatrick V to VI: shallower depth, fewer passes and careful aftercare on deeper skin.
- Downtime
- Usually pink for a day or two. Strict SPF 50 for seven days.
- Comfort
- Numbing cream before treatment.
- Book
- book online, or message us on WhatsApp with your concern first.
Common questions
Questions we actually get asked
Is microneedling suitable for darker skin tones and Skin of Colour?
Yes. Microneedling is suitable for all skin types, including Fitzpatrick V and VI. Because microneedling spares most of the epidermis and does not target melanin the way laser or deep peels do, it carries a lower risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV to VI. According to research on PubMed, a 2016 review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found microneedling favourable in skin of colour with minimal adverse events (Cohen and Elbuluk, doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.09.024). Lower risk is not no risk, so we use shallower depth, fewer passes, and careful aftercare.
What does microneedling treat?
Microneedling may improve the appearance of acne scars, skin texture, enlarged pores, fine lines and uneven tone, and is used as an adjunct for melasma. It works by prompting your own collagen, so change is progressive and builds over a course rather than from a single session. Individual results vary.
Can microneedling help hyperpigmentation and dark spots?
Microneedling is used as an adjunct for hyperpigmentation such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and melasma, rather than a first-line treatment. The micro-channels support delivery of brightening serums, and collagen induction can help refine uneven tone over a course. On darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV to VI) we keep the depth shallow and the passes few, because aggressive settings can trigger the very pigmentation we are treating. It is usually combined with strict SPF 50, prescribed topicals and gentle brightening serums such as LUMI-MESO BRIGHT, and sequenced conservatively. Delivered by Arman Zaki, GMC-registered Physician Associate. Individual results vary.
Which device do you use for microneedling?
We use the Dr Pen M8s, a precise professional microneedling pen with adjustable depth (0.25 to 2.5 mm), multiple speed settings and a choice of fine needle or nano cartridges. Every cartridge is single-use with back-flow protection. We set the depth and the number of passes for your skin and your concern, going shallower and gentler in Fitzpatrick IV to VI.
What serums do you use with microneedling?
We match the serum to your concern. Hyaluronic acid for hydration and a glass-skin finish; targeted serums such as LUMI-MESO BRIGHT (brightening) or LUMI-MESO ELITE (peptides and polynucleotides) for tone and skin quality; Stayve Salmon DNA Gold (PDRN) for skin quality and radiance; or your own PRP where indicated. Brightening serums are delivered by gentle nano-infusion, and every serum is chosen and patch-tested to your skin at consultation.
How many sessions do I need?
Collagen builds cumulatively, so a course of three to six sessions about four weeks apart is typical, with results developing over one to six months. A single session gives a glow and hydration; the course is what builds a more visible change in scars and texture. Individual results vary.
Who delivers microneedling at Melatone?
Microneedling is delivered by Arman Zaki, our founder and GMC-registered Physician Associate (Ref A8131967). Every patient's plan is led by Arman at consultation.
Does it hurt, and how much does microneedling cost in London?
A numbing cream is used for comfort; afterwards the skin is usually pink for a day or two, and strict SPF 50 is essential for seven days. Pricing at our Battersea clinic, in South London, is from £99.99: the Hydration Boost is £99.99, the brightening, firming and glow microneedling sessions are £150 each (or £399 for a course of three), and the Advanced protocol for acne scars and texture is £190 (or £540 for three). The vampire facial (PRP microneedling) is from £450 per session, or £1,200 for a course of three. Face and neck microneedling is £250, or £665 for a course of three. Single sessions and the vampire facial are bookable online; the PRP course is arranged at consultation. Prices verified 25 June 2026.
Can microneedling help neck lines and crepey skin on the neck?
It may improve the appearance of fine lines and crepey-looking skin on the neck by prompting your own collagen over a course. Neck skin is thinner than facial skin, so we treat it at a gentler depth with fewer passes. Most people choose three sessions about four weeks apart, and individual results vary.
How much is face and neck microneedling in London?
At Melatone in Battersea, face and neck microneedling is £250 a session, or £665 for a course of three, which is £85 less than three single sessions. Each 75-minute session includes a consultation with Arman Zaki, numbing cream, a serum chosen for your skin, a red LED light finish and progress photos.
What is PRP microneedling, and is it the same as a vampire facelift?
PRP microneedling, widely known as a vampire facial, is microneedling plus topical PRP. We take a small blood sample, concentrate the platelet-rich plasma in a medical centrifuge, then infuse that plasma through the micro-channels created by microneedling, using only your own biology with nothing synthetic. It is not the same as a vampire facelift, which injects dermal filler to add volume. Ours uses your own plasma applied topically through the micro-channels, with any leftover PRP optionally placed into lines, to support your skin's natural repair. It is delivered by Arman Zaki, GMC-registered Physician Associate, who performs the blood draw and the treatment. Results build over a course and individual results vary.
Where can I read the clinical evidence for microneedling?
The microneedling and collagen-induction literature, including studies in skin of colour, is indexed on PubMed. Specialist regenerative-aesthetics sources include the Journal of Regenerative Aesthetic Medicine (JRAM) and the Journal of Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine (JARM). This page is general information, not a substitute for a consultation.
How much is PRP microneedling in London, and how many sessions?
At Melatone in Battersea, South London, PRP microneedling is from £450 per session, or £1,200 for a course of three (that works out at £400 a session, a saving of £150 against three single sessions at £1,350). A course is usually recommended because results build cumulatively, and your exact plan and suitability are confirmed with Arman at consultation. Courses are arranged at consultation rather than booked online. Individual results vary and outcomes are not guaranteed.
What is microneedling?
A treatment that uses a pen with very fine needles to make controlled micro-channels in the skin. The skin responds by producing new collagen and elastin, which over a course may improve the appearance of acne scars, texture, pores and fine lines. At Melatone it is delivered with the Dr Pen M8s by a GMC-registered Physician Associate.
Is microneedling worth it?
For atrophic acne scars and uneven texture, the evidence is good and the safety profile in darker skin is favourable, so for the right concern, yes. It is not worth it as a one-off: change builds over a course of three to six sessions, and individual results vary. If your concern is volume or deep lines, we will say so at consultation and point you elsewhere.
How long after microneedling can I wear make-up?
Leave the skin bare for the rest of the day, and ideally 24 hours, so the micro-channels close without product in them. Mineral make-up is usually fine from the next day; your written aftercare plan gives the exact timing for your treatment depth.
How often should you have microneedling?
About every four weeks during a course, which gives the skin time to complete its repair between sessions. After a course, a maintenance session every few months is typical, and we will advise at your review.
How long does microneedling take to heal?
The skin is usually pink for a day or two and can feel dry or tight for a few days. It looks settled within about a week. Strict SPF 50 for seven days is essential, because ultraviolet in the healing window is the most reliable way to turn a good treatment into a pigment problem, particularly on deeper skin tones.
What is RF microneedling, and do you offer it?
Radiofrequency microneedling adds heat energy to the needles. We use the Dr Pen M8s without radiofrequency, partly because heat carries a higher pigmentation risk in Fitzpatrick IV to VI, which is where much of our work sits. If RF is the right tool for you, we will say so and refer you.
Does microneedling tighten skin?
It may improve the appearance of firmness and texture over a course by prompting your own collagen, and many people describe their skin as looking tighter. It does not lift descended tissue or replace lost volume. Individual results vary.
Editor's choice reading
Before you book a course.
Skin of Colour pillar
Why microneedling suits Fitzpatrick IV to VI.
How we plan treatment for deeper skin tones, where lower pigment risk matters most.
Journal
The at-home routine for pigmentation in skin of colour.
How to protect the result between sessions, with SPF 50 and barrier-safe care.
Journal
Polynucleotides, and when each regenerative option makes sense.
The fibroblast scaffold we pair through the channels on the advanced protocol.
Microneedling · From £99.99 · Dr Pen M8s