Microneedling has always been one of my favorite treatments to recommend. Here's why we just made it better.
I've been performing SkinPen microneedling for years, and I believe in it the way I believe in the basics: it works because it asks your skin to do what it already knows how to do. The micro-injuries trigger a healing cascade — collagen builds, elastin forms, surface quality improves. It's one of the most effective, lowest-risk treatments in aesthetic medicine.
What changed this month is that we've been intentional about how we build on that foundation. Instead of pairing SkinPen with a single add-on and calling it done, we designed three specific protocols — each one a complete, considered approach. The result is what we're calling the SkinPen Glow Protocol.
— Natasha Sherrill, FNP · New Age Medspa
The three tiers, side by side
Here's the complete picture before I walk through each one individually:
| Tier | What's included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| The Essential | SkinPen microneedling + LED light therapy | First-timers, maintenance patients, those who want enhanced healing without extras |
| The Elevated | SkinPen + LED + ZO® Accelerated Serum (take-home) | Anyone who wants in-clinic results that keep working at home — our most recommended starting point |
| The PRF Upgrade | SkinPen + LED + PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) | Patients with more significant concerns — scarring, significant laxity, those wanting maximum biological amplification |
Why LED is in every single tier — not just as a nice-to-have
I want to be clear about something: LED light therapy is not a "relaxing add-on" that we throw in to make the treatment feel more luxurious. It earns its place in every tier on clinical grounds.
After microneedling, your skin is in an active healing state — the collagen-building cascade is underway, circulation is elevated, and the skin's surface is temporarily more receptive. LED at this moment does two important things. Red light wavelengths support and amplify the collagen synthesis already triggered by the needling. And the anti-inflammatory effect of the LED actively reduces post-treatment redness — meaning you look better faster, and the healing response is cleaner and more efficient.
SkinPen alone is good. SkinPen followed immediately by LED is meaningfully better. That's why we include it in all three tiers rather than charging extra for it as an afterthought.
Tier 02 — The Elevated: why the ZO serum changes the equation
The most common question I get after a microneedling treatment is: "What should I do at home?" The honest answer used to be: "Keep it gentle, don't pick, use SPF." Now, with The Elevated, I have a better answer.
The ZO® Accelerated Serum series are medical-grade active formulas — not spa products, not over-the-counter. You choose the one that targets your primary concern:
- Growth Factor Serum — Supports ongoing collagen synthesis in the weeks after treatment. Best for anti-aging and overall skin quality goals.
- Firming Serum — Targets elasticity and skin laxity. Best for patients concerned with sagging or loss of structure.
- Brightalive Serum — Non-hydroquinone brightening. Best for hyperpigmentation, uneven tone, and dullness.
The timing matters: microneedling temporarily increases the skin's permeability, and the weeks following treatment are when active ingredients absorb most efficiently. The serum extends what we started in the treatment room into the 30 days that follow. That's genuinely worth having.
Tier 03 — The PRF Upgrade: for those who want their own biology doing the work
PRF — Platelet-Rich Fibrin — uses a small sample of your own blood, processed on-site to concentrate your platelets and growth factors into a fibrin matrix. Applied immediately after microneedling, it absorbs through the open microchannels at a depth topical products cannot reach.
What sets PRF apart from the more commonly known PRP: PRF is processed without anticoagulants, which produces a fibrin scaffold that releases growth factors more slowly and sustainably over time. The result is a more prolonged healing and rebuilding signal — particularly valuable for patients with deeper concerns like acne scarring, significant skin laxity, or those who simply want the most biologically potent option available.
I position PRF as the upgrade for a reason: it requires a blood draw, adds time to the appointment, and costs more. For most patients starting out, The Elevated is where I recommend beginning. But for patients who are ready to commit to their results, PRF is genuinely worth it.
April 2026 · Limited Time
The SkinPen Glow Protocol — Now Booking
Three tiers of elevated microneedling at New Age Medspa. Call (907) 921-4281 or book online — Kassidy will help you choose the right tier for your skin.
Which tier is right for you? Here's how I think about it.
If it's your first microneedling session — or your first at New Age Medspa — I recommend The Elevated. You get the full in-clinic treatment with LED, you leave with a medical-grade serum that extends your results, and I can see how your skin responds before we talk about PRF at a future session.
If you've done microneedling before and want a clean, lower-cost maintenance session, The Essential is a strong choice — especially now that LED is included as a standard part of every appointment.
If you have specific concerns — deeper scarring, notable laxity, or you've done a round of microneedling and want to escalate — come in for a consultation and let's talk about The PRF Upgrade as a series.
Frequently asked questions
New Age Medspa · Anchorage, Alaska
Choose your protocol. Book your April appointment.
Three tiers, one great treatment foundation. Open Tuesday–Saturday at 9500 Independence Drive, Suite 1000.
