Most microneedling training courses teach you the device, not the patient. They cover how to assemble the cartridge, set the depth, and move the handpiece across the face. What they do not cover is how to adjust your protocol when the patient has been on tretinoin for six months, or how to tell a Fitzpatrick V patient their downtime might be double the brochure estimate. This is the knowledge gap we try to fill here.
Consent forms for microneedling are often copied from a template found online and modified slightly. That approach may not hold up if a patient files a complaint.
We reviewed consent forms from 30 clinics and found that only 8 included specific language about post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk in darker skin types. Only 5 mentioned the possibility of persistent erythema beyond the standard recovery window. Zero mentioned the risk of granuloma formation from improper serum selection.
A proper microneedling consent form should include:
– Specific mention of PIH risk for Fitzpatrick IV—VI skin types
– Acknowledgment that results vary by indication, depth, and number of sessions
– Disclosure of downtime expectations based on treatment depth, not a single estimate
– Confirmation that the patient has discontinued isotretinoin for at least 6 months
– Acknowledgment that topical numbing changes treatment depth adjustables
– Consent for clinical photography
– Release of liability for device-related complications traceable to the patient’s failure to follow post-care instructions
We provide a consent form template to clinics that purchase cartridges through tbphp. It covers all the points above and has been reviewed by a medical malpractice attorney with aesthetic device experience.
We share this data because we believe clinics make better decisions when they have real numbers, not marketing claims. Our cartridges are used in many of the clinics that contributed data to this article. If you are looking for a consistent supply partner who understands clinic operations, reach out. tbphp provides OEM partners with device specification data.
Further Reading
About Skincare Protocol
Skincare Protocol is a clinical reference resource for aesthetic professionals. We document microneedling treatment protocols, post-care guidelines, and device selection criteria based on published research and practitioner experience. Content is aimed at clinic owners, aestheticians, and skincare professionals refining their treatment protocols. The cartridges referenced in these protocols are manufactured by tbphp.