The I tip heats only at the needle end, the N tip along the whole needle. Acne studies used 3 sessions, 4 weeks apart. Here's what to expect for scars too.
Published
Updated
Author
Wi Young-jin · Chief director
Seoul National University College of Medicine · Seoul National University Hospital Specialist
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If red, inflamed breakouts are your main problem, the research leans toward the I tip. If dented acne scars and large pores bother you more, most of the studies used the N tip. The I tip releases radiofrequency heat only at the very end of each needle, while the N tip heats along the whole length of needle inside your skin. Studies that compare the two tips head to head in the same person are hard to find, so the tip is usually the last thing chosen, after depth and mode.
That's the short answer. Below, we'll look at how the two needles heat the skin differently, what the acne and scar studies actually tested, which reactions pass on their own and which need a call, and what it costs at the clinic.
Quick summary
Active acne has more I tip research, dented scars and pores have more N tip research, but the tip is decided last.
Session plan: acne studies used 3 sessions about 4 weeks apart, and scar and pore studies used 2 to 6 sessions a month apart.
On the I tip, only about 0.3 mm at the end of the needle is uncoated, so less heat reaches the path the needle travels through.
Blisters or weeping, brown marks that keep darkening, or a sunken look should be reported right away.
Potenza N Tip vs. I Tip: Where Does the Heat Come From?
The I tip (insulated) has a coated needle shaft with only about 300 micrometers (0.3 mm) left bare at the end. Heat comes out of that bare tip alone, so it gathers in a small teardrop shape at a set depth in the dermis*. The N tip (non-insulated) has no coating. Every part of the needle that's inside your skin gives off heat, which warms a longer, narrower column from the surface down.
*Dermis: the layer under the outer skin (epidermis) that gives skin its firmness and bounce.
Comparison | I tip (insulated) | N tip (non-insulated) |
|---|---|---|
Where heat comes out | About 0.3 mm at the needle end | The whole inserted needle |
Heat near the surface | Less | Along the needle path |
Concern most studied | Inflamed acne | Dented scars, pores, texture |
Sessions in studies | 3 sessions, 4 weeks apart | 2 to 6 sessions, a month apart |
Here's the takeaway to bring with you: if breakouts that are still coming up bother you most, hear the I tip explanation first. If the marks are already dented and your pores look wide, start with the N tip side.
Keep in mind that the different heat shapes come from how the needles are built. One lab experiment reported no difference in how far the heat reached between the two needle types, so it's hard to pin any difference in results on the tip alone.
Which Potenza Tip Is Studied for Active, Inflamed Acne?
For acne that's still active, there's more evidence on the I tip side. In a study of 25 people with moderate to severe acne, a coated (insulated) needle was used 3 times, one month apart. Both the red, pus-filled bumps and the small closed comedones went down in number. Oil production dropped too, and inflamed acne responded better than comedones did.
Oil output and satisfaction were better than at the start at every checkpoint, from 4 weeks after the first session to 12 weeks after the last one. Pinpoint bleeding, pain and redness showed up during treatment, but none of it was bad enough to stop. How much you see depends on your skin.
A second study split 63 people into two groups. The group treated with a needle insulated except at the end, 3 times at 4-week intervals, had fewer inflamed lesions at 12 weeks than the comparison group. That said, it used a device with a single needle, so it isn't the same as a Potenza tip that places many needles at once.
Spots with pus or signs of infection are calmed down first, before Potenza goes ahead. If your skin is sensitive and redness tends to linger, mention that at the consultation.
Which Potenza Tip Fits Acne Scars and Large Pores?
For dented acne scars and pores, more of the published work used the N tip approach. In a study of 30 people with depressed acne scars, one half of each face got non-insulated microneedle radiofrequency and the other half got CO2 fractional laser, one session each. Up to 6 months later, the scars had improved by a similar amount on both sides.
The CO2 side hurt more, and at 1 to 2 months it showed more redness and higher brown pigment readings. Recovery was shorter on the non-insulated side. If you need a short recovery window, that gap is worth weighing. About 95% of participants said they were satisfied with the results. Results differ from person to person.
In a smaller pilot study, 19 people had 2 to 6 sessions a month apart, and researchers looked at scars, skin texture and pore size together. There were no burns, scars or pigment changes, and people rated the pain at 1.5 out of 10 on average. Since there was no comparison group and the study was small, it's hard to say how big the effect really is.
Many people have both active breakouts and older marks. In that case, the doctor looks at which one covers more of your face and which area needs calming first, then sets the plan.
Potenza Side Effects: What Fades and What Needs a Call?
Pinpoint bleeding, stinging and redness right after treatment are passing reactions. Among 50 people who had Potenza for acne, 5 (10%) had redness, itching or stinging, and all of it was mild and went away. If redness spreads or keeps getting worse instead of settling, contact your provider right away.
The changes below are different. Don't wait for a set number of days. Take a photo and let the clinic know right away if you notice any of these:
Blisters, or skin that's weeping fluid
Brown marks coming up that are darker than before
Skin that looks bumpy or sunken where you were treated
Redness, warmth or pain that gets worse day by day
A 2026 analysis of US FDA device reports from 2013 to 2025 counted 224 side effects described in 114 reports about radiofrequency microneedling*. Texture changes made up 25.0%, pigment changes 18.3%, fat loss 11.6%, inflammation 8.0% and burns 6.3%. These are report counts, so they can't tell you how often each problem really happens, but texture and pigment changes were reported the most.
*Based on the FDA's medical device adverse event reports, gathered in a 2026 analysis.
If your skin is on the darker side, brown marks are probably the bigger worry. A review of 35 studies on radiofrequency microneedling in darker skin found that 7 reported temporary darkening and 1 reported a lasting scar. If past acne marks stayed brown for months, tell the doctor at the consultation. Sunscreen every day after treatment is non-negotiable.
How Much Does Potenza Cost, and What Should You Ask First?
Potenza option | Price (VAT not included) |
|---|---|
Butterfly zone pore tip, 1-session trial (soothing care and tip included) | ₩170,000 |
Pore tip, full face, 1 session (mask and tip included) | ₩270,000 |
These are fall promotion prices, valid from September 1 to November 30, 2026. Seoul clinic pricing, subject to change. The price depends on which tip is used and how much of the face is treated.
Before any of that, the doctor looks at the areas that concern you and sets the depth and the mode, and only then picks the tip. Potenza needle depth is adjusted within about 0.5 to 4.0 mm, and the mode is either monopolar or bipolar*. Settings can differ from area to area on the same face, such as the cheeks versus the nose. Which tip and how many millimeters were used is recorded each session to plan the next one.
*Monopolar and bipolar: in monopolar mode the current spreads more widely through the body, while in bipolar mode it flows only between two electrodes close together.
A good first question is: "For my concern, would you use the coated or the uncoated needle, and at how many millimeters?" Once you have that answer, it's much easier to compare quotes from different places.
Fitting Potenza Into Your Travel Itinerary
Unless you had sedation that day, there's no reason to postpone your flight home because of Potenza. Pinpoint bleeding and redness are passing reactions, so the plan for the rest of your trip usually doesn't need to change.
Be realistic about a single visit. The acne studies above used 3 sessions about 4 weeks apart, and scar and pore studies used 2 to 6 sessions. One session is a starting point, and nobody can promise how much it will change. If you plan more sessions on later trips, compare photos taken in the same lighting and from the same angle.
Once you're home, you can reach the clinic with photos through the consultation button on this page if questions come up. If you notice a strong warning sign, such as blisters, weeping skin or a sunken area, see a local medical facility first.
The Bottom Line: Choosing Between the N Tip and the I Tip
The one technical detail that separates these tips is where the heat comes out: only at the needle end on the I tip, along the whole inserted needle on the N tip. So the decision starts with one question: are new breakouts still coming up, or are you mainly dealing with dents and wide pores left behind?
Beautystone is a clinic in Seoul's Hapjeong area. When you reach out through the consultation button, include photos that clearly show whether your acne is active or already scarred, any recent laser treatments, acne pills or creams you're using, and the dates you'd like to come in. Ask which needle and what depth would be used for your skin, and the options get much easier to compare.
Sources
Review of how insulated and non-insulated microneedles deliver heat (J Cutan Aesthet Surg, 2024)
Insulated microneedle radiofrequency in 25 people with moderate to severe acne (J Dermatol, 2014)
Review of radiofrequency microneedling safety in skin of color (Dermatol Surg, 2023)
Analysis of US FDA reports on radiofrequency microneedling complications (Dermatol Surg, 2026)
