How to Sterilise Microneedling Cartridges at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

 

5 dr pen microneedling cartridge in front of rock decoration

Dr. Pen cartridges arrive in an individually sealed, sterile pouches, sterilised with ethylene oxide gas and UV light during packaging. Secondary sterilisation with isopropyl alcohol before use is entirely optional. Some users prefer this extra step for added peace of mind, and that is completely fine.  

This guide walks you through the correct handling and sterilisation process so you can confidently maintain hygiene standards in your microneedling treatment. 

Why is it important to sterilise your microneedling cartridges?

Safety and hygiene are critical components of any skincare treatment; these help reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination and infections.

Although sterilising your microneedling cartridge is an optional step in the microneedling protocol, it provides added assurance that your microneedling cartridge is safe and sterile before you commence any microneedle treatment.

Microneedling involves puncturing the skin with tiny needles, which create microchannels on the skin’s surface. These microchannels are open and can potentially allow for bacteria or other pathogens into the skin, leading to an infection. 

A contaminated cartridge can lead to severe skin complications. By following these simple steps you can avoid these risks.  

5 Critical Steps on How to Sterilise Microneedling Cartridges

Step 1: Prepare the Necessary Equipment
Before sterilisation, gather all the equipment needed including gloves, a sealed cartridge pack, isopropyl alcohol, and a clean container to hold the alcohol solutions. Make sure your alcohol solution is at 70% or higher. Alternatively, a UV sterilisation device is a piece of nice-to-have equipment, but not mandatory. 


Step 2: Check Your Microneedling Cartridge
Start to use your gloves at this stage. Open the new, sealed microneedling cartridge pack you intend to use and start re-checking it, especially on the needle head area. Make sure needles are in perfect condition. The needles should not be bent, and with no unwanted debris.


Step 3: Sanitise The Microneedling Cartridge
Option 1: Grab your alcohol solution and pour enough solution into the clean container. Once the container is filled with enough solution, dip the head of the needle into the container. Soak it in for a couple of minutes. 

Option 2: If you have an alcohol solution spray, you can generously spray the needles, ensuring it has been suitably covered with the solution.

Option 3: Alternatively, if you have a UV sterilisation device, you can start by putting the microneedling cartridge on the device for a few minutes.


Step 4: Allow The Microneedling Cartridge To Air Dry
After a couple of minutes, take out the microneedling cartridge from the container. Allow it to air dry before connecting the cartridge to the pen. 


Step 5: Your Microneedling Cartridge is Ready for Use
Finally, your microneedling cartridge is ready to use with your Dr. Pen microneedling pen. Ensure to connect it to the pen right after and use it immediately. This is to avoid cross-contamination of the cartridge.


After your cartridge is sterile, you can proceed with your microneedling treatment. See our Dr. Pen Microneedling Instruction Guide Page to help you navigate your microneedling session. Contact our helpful customer service team if you have any questions regarding microneedling cartridge sterilisation and microneedling treatment.