The Nine Official M8 Cartridge Types
Dr. Pen lists nine cartridge types for the M8: five true-needle tips and four nano surface tips (originaldrpen). All nine lock into the same three-slot connector, so the choice is about treatment style, not fit. The table below compares them side by side.
| Type | Needle gauge / surface | What it does best |
|---|---|---|
| 11-pin | 0.18mm needles | Precision work on small areas, spot scars, around nose and mouth; the scalp routine favorite |
| 16-pin | 0.18mm needles | Everyday full-face microneedling, fine lines, general texture |
| 24-pin | Standard needles | All-round face and body rejuvenation |
| 36-pin | Standard needles | Larger areas, pores, uneven tone |
| 42-pin | Standard needles | Maximum coverage per pass, gentlest feel, body areas |
| Nano S | Smooth silicon surface | Instant glow, serum absorption, no skin penetration |
| Nano R | Rounded surface | Very gentle work on sensitive skin, eye and lip area |
| Nano 3D | 3×3mm contact square | Even serum spread on smaller zones |
| Nano 5D | 5×5mm contact square | Widest nano contact, even product distribution, BB glow |
Whatever you pick, each one ships in an individually sealed sterile pouch, sterilized with ethylene oxide gas during packaging, and is meant for a single session (Dr. Pen US).
What Pin Count Actually Changes (and What It Doesn't)
The pin count controls two things: how much skin one pass covers, and how pressure spreads across those pins. It does not control depth. Depth is the dial on the pen itself, adjustable from 0 to 2.5mm on the M8 (drpenskincare). Confusing the two is the most common mix-up in buyer questions, because a higher pin number feels like it should mean "stronger", when in practice it usually feels gentler per pass. Fewer pins concentrate pressure where you point them; more pins spread the same stroke across a wider stamp with lighter load on each contact point (drpenstore guide). For the biology underneath, our explainer on collagen induction therapy and needle depth covers what micro-channels actually trigger.11-Pin and 16-Pin: The Fine-Gauge Pair
Both carry the thinnest needle gauge in the Dr. Pen range, 0.18mm, a size reserved for the M8 and A6S Ultima models (Dr. Pen US). Thinner needles displace less tissue on entry, which is why these two feel the most comfortable of the five needle tips. The 11-pin is the precision pick: authorized sellers describe it as the go-to for targeted work on small areas and the most popular choice in scalp and hair-loss cartridge bundles (drpenstore). The 16-pin is the everyday face tip, balanced enough for cheeks and forehead in one pass.24, 36 and 42-Pin: The Coverage Tips
The 24-pin is the all-rounder for face and body, the 36-pin suits larger facial areas and pore work, and the 42-pin delivers the widest stamp with the lightest per-pin load (drpen.io). Sellers position the 42-pin for sensitive skin and big body zones precisely because the pressure per contact point is so spread out (drpenstore guide). If you work a full face or body area in one session, these three cut your session time roughly in half compared to the 11-pin.Nano Cartridges: S, R, 3D and 5D, No Puncture
Nano tips are not needles. They are micro-structured surfaces that work in the outermost skin layer instead of piercing into it, which is why they deliver glow, product absorption and surface smoothing with no numbing cream and essentially no downtime (drpen.io). Because there is no wound response to recover from, nano sessions can repeat far more often than needle sessions (drpenworldwide). BB glow is the best-known nano treatment (same source). The four versions differ in surface shape and contact area:- Nano S: smooth silicon-based surface, built for glow and absorption on general zones (drpenskincare).
- Nano R: rounded tip, the gentlest of the four, intended for sensitive skin and the eye and lip area (drpen.io).
- Nano 3D: compact 3×3mm square contact, multi-point spread on smaller zones (drpenskincare).
- Nano 5D: the widest 5×5mm contact square, made for even distribution across larger areas and BB glow work (drpenskincare).
Which M8 Cartridge Should You Actually Buy?
Match the tip to the job, not to the biggest number:- Everyday full face: 16-pin. It is the default for a reason.
- One stubborn scar, a small patch, the nose folds: 11-pin.
- Face and body in the same session: 24-pin, or 36-pin for bigger surface.
- Sensitive skin or wide body areas: 42-pin.
- Glow, serum infusion, maintenance between needle sessions: Nano S for general zones, Nano R around eyes and lips, Nano 3D or 5D for even spread.
- Scalp routines: 11-pin leads the hair-focused bundles sold by authorized stores (drpenstore), and our scalp microneedling guide covers the depth protocol separately.
Our own genuine cartridges cover all five pin configurations at a single-piece price, so stocking a mix for different concerns costs about as much as a coffee per tip on our M8 replacement cartridges.
Why M8 Cartridges Don't Fit the M8S
The M8 locks its tips with a three-slot connector, and that connector belongs to this pen alone. Dr. Pen US states it plainly: M8 cartridges are exclusively compatible with the M8 and should not be used with any other model (Dr. Pen US). The M8S has its own family, running 12, 18, 24, 36 and 42-pin plus round nano, and it does not support the Nano 3D or Nano 5D at all (drpenskincare). We see this exact mix-up in customer service: an M8S owner orders M8 tips, the lock half-engages but never clicks, and the return costs more than the cartridges did. Check the model printed on your pen before adding to cart. If you run an M8S, our M8S / A9 cartridge guide covers that family instead.Single-Use, Sterile, and Priced Like Consumables
One cartridge, one session, then it goes in the bin, because blunted needles tear rather than pierce (drpen.io). For pricing, official channels run roughly $45.95 to $55.00 per ten-pack, which works out to about $4.60 to $5.50 per tip (drpenstore; Dr. Pen US). That single-use math is what makes the per-piece price worth watching. Ours run $1.18 per piece across all five pin types, sold in singles so you can build a mixed set without committing to a 10-pack of one kind (view M8 cartridge prices).Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use M8S cartridges in an M8 pen?
No, you can't. Each pen model has its own cartridge family with a matching connector, and Dr. Pen explicitly warns against cross-model use. The M8S also cannot take the Nano 3D or 5D tips from the M8 line.
What is the difference between 16-pin and 42-pin?
Coverage and pressure spread. The 16-pin concentrates work with fine needles for a balanced face session; the 42-pin stamps a wider area with lighter load per pin, which most people find gentler but less targeted.
Do nano cartridges pierce the skin?
No, they don't. Nano tips work on the outermost layer without skin penetration, which is why they suit glow and absorption sessions and can repeat more frequently than needle tips.
How often should I replace a cartridge?
Every session. Cartridges are sterile, single-use and cannot be cleaned back to a safe state, no matter how carefully you rinse them.
Which one should a beginner start with?
A 16-pin for face work plus one Nano S for off-days covers most routines. If you want to feel the differences first, one of each of the five pin tips costs about the same as a single retail 10-pack elsewhere.
Brand Disclaimer: Dr. Pen® is a registered trademark of its respective owner. iTech Aesthetics is an authorized reseller of genuine Dr. Pen products. We are not the manufacturer. All Dr. Pen products sold through our store are authentic and sourced through official distribution channels. This content is intended for trained aesthetic professionals and informed home users, is provided for informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. Always follow device manuals, manufacturer protocols, and applicable local regulations.
Originally published by iTech Aesthetics — professional aesthetic and physiotherapy equipment for clinics and studios worldwide.