Cacti are hearty, unique & rustic looking plants. While we select our plants for their natural beauty, some blemishes, light scarring, and corking (woody/ darker tissue) near the base should be expected, and is completely natural.
Any needles (modified leaves) that fall off your plant will grow back quickly.
Under extreme environmental conditions, it may be necessary to apply frost cloth in winter & shade cloth in summer in order to protect your plant.