Skin Needling / Microneedling

Compare To Other Treatments

What Is It?

Skin Needling/Microneedling devices puncture the skin with needles in an attempt to stimulate more collagen and elastin production. 

This procedure is normally repeated 3-5 times in 1-month intervals, and you should see gradual results with each session. And after your last session, your skin should continue to improve. 

Results

Results
Strength of Evidence: Strong
32% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring after 4 sessions
Expand for result statistics
Good or Excellent Response
32% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring after 4 sessions
Moderate Response
72% of patients achieved at least a moderate (>25%) improvement in scarring after 4 sessions
▸ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
▾ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
  1. Subudhi, A. et al. Split face comparative study of microneedling with platelet-rich plasma versus microneedling alone in treating atrophic postacne scars. Clinical Dermatology Review 9, 320–325 (2025).
  2. Shivhare, S., Shivhare, G. & Dey, K. A comparative analysis of Derma roller therapy and fractional carbon dioxide laser technique in patients with post-acne scars. International Journal of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharma Research 14, 474–477 (2025).
  3. Lakra, S., Mawlong, P. G. & Bisht, N. Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of trichloroacetic acid chemical reconstruction of skin scars versus microneedling in facial atrophic acne scars. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 16, 69–75 (2025).
  4. El Bestawi, M., Darwish, H. M. A. & Mohamed Kamel, R. O. Efficacy and safety of topical 0.5% timolol maleate enhanced by microneedling for treatment of post-acne scars. Arch Dermatol Res 317, 822 (2025).
  5. Begum, S. J. q, Sreedevi, L., Nazneen, S. R. & Muchandimath, S. A comparative study to evaluate the efficacy of microneedling against Cryoroller the treatment of post acne atrophic scars on face. European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine 15, 350–360 (2025).
  6. Abdelhay, R. M., Ali, M. S., Gad, L. Z. & Mahran, N. M. Microneedling with topical insulin versus microneedling with placebo in the treatment of postacne atrophic scars: A randomized control trial. Dermatol Surg 51, 251–256 (2025).
  7. Prathyusha, Dhanyasree, S., Subhashini, C. & Gummalla, A. A comparative study between the efficacy of microneedling versus microneedling with platelet-rich plasma on atrophic facial acne scars. Int J Acad Med Pharm 3, 242–247 (2024).
  8. Pandey, K., Agrawal, S. & Pandey, P. Efficacy of autologous injectable platelet rich fibrin in facial atrophic acne scars in combination with microneedling: A randomized clinical trial. Nepal J Dermatol Venereol & Leprol 22, 41–48 (2024).
  9. Mira Ali, Najia Ahmed, Seemab Khan, & Afshan Kiran. Simple microneedling versus microneedling with topical insulin in the treatment of post acne atrophic scars; a split face comparative study. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 36, (2024).
  10. Malik, S. et al. Comparison of micro needling plus topical insulin with micro needling alone in patients with atrophic acne scars: A split face study. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal 74, 392–396 (2024).
  11. El‐Domyati, M., Moftah, N. H., Ahmed, A. M. & Ibrahim, M. R. Evaluation of microneedling depth of penetration in management of atrophic acne scars: A split‐face comparative study. Int J Dermatology 63, 632–638 (2024).
  12. El-Domyati, M., Fathi, M. M. E. & Abdel-Aziz, R. T. A. Atrophic facial acne scars; bilateral comparison of two microneedle devices. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy 26, 129–135 (2024).
  13. El-Domyati, M., Fathi, M. M. E. & Abdel-Aziz, R. T. A. Atrophic facial acne scars; bilateral comparison of two microneedle devices. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy 26, 129–135 (2024).
  14. Asif, A. et al. A comparison of treatment efficacy of chemical reconstruction of skin scars with 50% trichloroacetic acid peel and microneedling in acne scars. J Pak Assoc Dermatol 34, 159-164. (2024).
  15. Khan, A. I., Aamir, S., Naseem, R. & Rasheed, J. Comparing the effectiveness of microneedling along with Platelet Rich Plasma versus microneedling alone in treatment of acne scars. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists 33, 1500–1507 (2023).
  16. Bano, R., Brar, B. K. & Kumar, S. Comparative evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and safety of microneedling alone versus microneedling with hyaluronic acid in post-acne scarring. JCAS 16, 279–285 (2023).
  17. Alqam, M. L., Jones, B. C. & Hitchcock, T. M. Topical application of skin biome care regimen containing live cultures and ferments of cutibacterium acnes defendens strain XYCM42 and the impact on clinical outcomes following microneedle-induced skin remodeling. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 16, 18–30 (2023).
  18. Sharma, P. & Sharma, R. A comparative analysis of microneedling and TCA CROSS for management of atrophic acne scars. Sch J App Med Sci 10, 281–285 (2022).
  19. Ebrahim, H., Elardi, A., Khater, S. & Morsi, H. Successful topical application of botulinum toxin after microneedling versus microneedling alone for the treatment of atrophic post acne scars: A prospective, split-face, controlled study. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 15, 26–31 (2022).
  20. Azeem, A., Khan, S. & Ahsan, U. Efficacy of micro needling in patients with post-acne scarring. Journal of Akhtar Saeed Medical & Dental College 4, 111–115 (2022).
  21. Pakla-Misiur, A., Grochowiec, M., Lesiak, A. & Bednarski, I. Double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing theuse of microneedling alone vs chemical peeling alone vsa combination of microneedling and chemical peeling inthe treatment of atrophic post-acne scars. An assessmentof clinical effectiveness and patients’ quality-of-life. pdia 38, 629–635 (2021).
  22. Nandini, A. S., Sankey, S. M., Sowmya, C. S. & Sharath Kumar, B. C. Split-face comparative study of efficacy of platelet-rich plasma combined with microneedling versus microneedling alone in treatment of post-acne scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 14, 26–31 (2021).
  23. Gupta, M., Barman, K. D. & Sarkar, R. A comparative study of microneedling alone versus along with platelet-rich plasma in acne scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 14, 64–71 (2021).
  24. Ullah, I., Paracha, M., Zahoor, H. & Khan, D. Efficacy and safety of cross technique with 100% TCA and Dermaroller technique in the treatment of post acne scars. J Med Sci 28, 68–71 (2020).
  25. Sharma, S., Kaur, T. & Bassi, R. A split face comparative study to evaluate the efficacy of skin microneedling and platelet rich plasma (PRP) combination versus skin microneedling alone for treatment of post acne scars. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists 30, 449–455 (2020).
  26. Pooja, T., Gopal, K. V. T., Rao, T. N., Devi, B. G. & Kumar, S. A. A randomized study to evaluate the efficacy fractional CO2 laser, microneedling and platelet rich plasma in post-acne scarring. Indian Dermatol Online J 11, 349–354 (2020).
  27. Freiherr von Dalwig-Nolda, D. & Ablon, G. Safety and effectiveness of an automated microneedling device in improving acne scarring. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 13, 17–22 (2020).
  28. Elfar, N. N. & Hasby, E. A. Efficacy and safety of plasma gel as a new modality in treatment of atrophic acne scars. Int J Dermatol 59, 620–626 (2020).
  29. Saadawi, A. N., Esawy, A. M., Kandeel, A. H. & El-Sayed, W. Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: comparative study. J Cosmet Dermatol 18, 107–114 (2019).
  30. Khalid, F. A. et al. Efficacy of micro-needling on post acne scars. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 31, 336–339 (2019).
  31. El-Domyati, M. et al. Amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cell products combined with microneedling for acne scars: a split-face clinical, histological, and histometric study. J Cosmet Dermatol https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13039 (2019) doi:10.1111/jocd.13039.
  32. Biesman, B. S. et al. Atrophic facial acne scars with microneedling followed by polymethylmethacrylate-collagen gel dermal filler. Dermatol Surg 45, 1570–1579 (2019).
  33. Bandral, M. R. et al. Clinical evaluation of microneedling therapy in the management of facial scar: a prospective randomized study. J Maxillofac Oral Surg 18, 572–578 (2019).
  34. Ali, B., ElMahdy, N. & Elfar, N. N. Microneedling (Dermapen) and Jessner’s solution peeling in treatment of atrophic acne scars: a comparative randomized clinical study. J Cosmet Laser Ther 21, 357–363 (2019).
  35. Afra, T. P., Razmi T, M., Narang, T., Dogra, S. & Kumar, A. Topical tazarotene gel, 0.1%, as a novel treatment approach for atrophic postacne scars. JAMA Facial Plast Surg 21, 125–132 (2019).
  36. Varma, K., Bhargava, S. & Kumar, U. Microneedling for atrophic post-acne scars: Is it effective? A prospective study of 36 cases at a tertiary care centre. Hong Kong Journal of Dermatology and Venereology 26, 52–57 (2018).
  37. Sharma, G. & Jha, R. Microneedling vs. scars remodelling with 30% salicylic acid - a comparative study. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences 7, 4072–4076 (2018).
  38. Porwal, S., Chahar, Y. S. & Singh, P. K. A comparative study of combined Dermaroller and platelet-rich plasma versus Dermaroller alone in acne scars and assessment of quality of life before and after treatment. Indian Journal of Dermatology 63, 403 (2018).
  39. Moftah, N., Mohammad, E. K., Maha, R. & Heba, A. Carboxytherapy versus skin microneedling in treatment of atrophic postacne scars: a comparative clinical, histopathological, and histometrical study. Dermatologic Surgery 44, 1332–1341 (2018).
  40. Ibrahim, M. K., Ibrahim, S. M. & Salem, A. M. Skin microneedling plus platelet-rich plasma versus skin microneedling alone in the treatment of atrophic post acne scars: a split face comparative study. J Dermatolog Treat 29, 281–286 (2018).
  41. El-Domyati, M., Abdel-Wahab, H. & Hossam, A. Microneedling combined with platelet-rich plasma or trichloroacetic acid peeling for management of acne scarring: a split-face clinical and histologic comparison. J Cosmet Dermatol 17, 73–83 (2018).
  42. Al Qarqaz, F. & Al-Yousef, A. Skin microneedling for acne scars associated with pigmentation in patients with dark skin. J Cosmet Dermatol 17, 390–395 (2018).
  43. Yadav, D. C. K. et al. A comparative study of efficacy of micro-needling alone versus micro-needling with autologous platelet rich plasma in facial atrophic acne scars. International Multispecialty Journal of Health 3, 7 (2017).
  44. Rana, S., Mendiratta, V. & Chander, R. Efficacy of microneedling with 70% glycolic acid peel vs microneedling alone in treatment of atrophic acne scars-a randomized controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol 16, 454–459 (2017).
  45. Osman, M. A. R., Shokeir, H. A. & Fawzy, M. M. Fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser versus microneedling in treatment of atrophic acne scars: a randomized split-face clinical study. Dermatol Surg 43 Suppl 1, S47–S56 (2017).
  46. Ibrahim, Z. A., El-Ashmawy, A. A. & Shora, O. A. Therapeutic effect of microneedling and autologous platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of atrophic scars: a randomized study. J Cosmet Dermatol 16, 388–399 (2017).
  47. Cachafeiro, T., Escobar, G., Maldonado, G., Cestari, T. & Corleta, O. Comparison of nonablative fractional erbium laser 1,340 nm and microneedling for the treatment of atrophic acne scars: a randomized clinical trial. Dermatol Surg 42, 232–241 (2016).
  48. Asif, M., Kanodia, S. & Singh, K. Combined autologous platelet-rich plasma with microneedling verses microneedling with distilled water in the treatment of atrophic acne scars: a concurrent split-face study. J Cosmet Dermatol 15, 434–443 (2016).
  49. Hassan, R. Comparison of efficacy of micro needling for the treatment of acne scars in Asian skin with and without subcision. Journal of the Turkish Academy of Dermatology 9, (2015).
  50. El-Domyati, M. et al. Microneedling therapy for atrophic acne scars. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 8, 36–42 (2015).
  51. Dogra, S., Yadav, S. & Sarangal, R. Microneedling for acne scars in Asian skin type: an effective low cost treatment modality. J Cosmet Dermatol 13, 180–187 (2014).
  52. Alam, M. et al. Efficacy of a needling device for the treatment of acne scars: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol 150, 844–849 (2014).
  53. Lotfi, R., Moneib, H. & Yehia, H. Clinical and histopathological evaluation of percutaneous collagen induction (dermaroller) in the treatment of postacne scars. Journal of the Egyptian Women’s Dermatologic Society 10, 152–159 (2013).
  54. Leheta, T., El Tawdy, A., Abdel Hay, R. & Farid, S. Percutaneous collagen induction versus full-concentration trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. Dermatol Surg 37, 207–216 (2011).
  55. Majid, I. Microneedling therapy in atrophic facial scars: an objective assessment. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2, 26–30 (2009).
  56. Fabbrocini, G., Fardella, N., Monfrecola, A., Proietti, I. & Innocenzi, D. Acne scarring treatment using skin needling. Clin Exp Dermatol 34, 874–879 (2009).

Side Effects

Side Effects
Medium-high side effects and adverse reactions

Reviews

View All
3.6
17 Reviews

Relevant Forum(s):