Learn more here about Nikki and her Microneedling services
Microneedling is a procedure where a controlled injury is created with very small tattoo needles without pigment. This procedure can also be called "inkless tattooing" or "dry needling" (not the same as acupuncture type) The injury caused forces the body to heal causing it to engage fibroblast, which builds collagen.
This technique repairs scars and stretch marks well and can re-pigment skin in many cases by stimulating melanin production. This technique is very beneficial in repairing self-harm scars, accidental scars, acne scars, stretch marks & of course surgical scars.
Nikki Thompson believes this is honestly one of the most life changing things offered in her scar repair work. Which includes scar repair, revision, camouflage and scar cover with decorative tattoos.
She learned the technique first in 2003, in her first class in mastectomy repair and areola & 3d nipple tattooing. She was introduced to the process then. And started using it on a multitude of different types of scars immediately. As well as stretch mark repair. In 2005 she went out to Portland Or. for a weeklong class on emergency repairs using microneedling as well as advanced techniques.
Then in 2011 she completed training in Las Vegas to use the technique on the face, where it serves as more of a rejuvenation, correcting brown spots, fine lines, facial scars, & wrinkles.
At this class she completed another 30 hours in Cosmetic Tattoo training in Las Vegas, NV. This gives her over 100 hours in training specific to permanent makeup and related tattoo cosmetic services, including micro-needling.
Micro needling is also called collagen induction therapy because it promotes collagen production and with that-added volume. Sometimes it is called inkless tattooing due to the production of melanin it can stimulate.
Microneedling gets its name due to the fine needles used in the procedure. That being said- EXPERIENCE & superior equipment is one of the biggest differences found in Nikki’s microneedling services. Nikki Thompson does some form of microneedling weekly. So, she has over 20 years of experience in a technique most people are just learning about in 2025. Clinical microneedling is done with a tool called a Skin Pen or DR Pen. These pieces of equipment are designed to only go about 2-2.5 milometers into the skin. There is just one needle group used. They also are limited in "force" into the skin. This is so technicians who are not familiar with tattoo processes (puncturing the skin with needles for changing one’s appearance is defined as a tattoo process) do not damage their patient’s skin. This gives fair results on the face. But it is not deep or strong enough to work on scars or stretch marks effectively. TOOLS are the 2nd difference. "Tattoo style" microneedling was created by a well-known industry professional, Susan Church, who is a Co-Founder, past president and former board member of the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP) She developed a method of microneedling using tattoo equipment over 2 decades ago. This allows properly trained technicians like Nikki Thompson to have more control over how the microneedling is performed, so each client’s needs are met. Scars will have a different set of needles and strength of equipment used vs facial microneedling. Each scar client gets their own assessment of which needle groups and force from the machine to be used. Facial microneedling tools, needle grouping and force, are also determined by each client’s needs. Not because that is the only way the machine will work. Tattoo style microneedling is very individually prescribed regardless of the need being facial rejuvenation or scar repair. The extreme & quick results cannot be compared to clinical microneedling.
