Does Microneedling Help Acne Scars
Acne scars can feel like a lingering reminder of a chapter your skin has already moved through. Even once breakouts settle, textural changes, indents, and redness can remain. One of the most commonly recommended treatments for improving acne scarring is skin needling, but does it actually help?
Let’s break it down.
Micro-needling (also known as skin needling or collagen induction therapy) is a treatment that uses a device with fine, sterile needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin.
These tiny channels trigger your skin’s natural wound-healing response, stimulating:
Collagen production
Elastin production
Cellular renewal
Over time, this helps strengthen and smooth the skin’s structure, which is exactly what we want when treating acne scars.
How Microneedling Helps Acne Scars
Acne scars form when inflammation from breakouts damages collagen in the skin. When the skin heals unevenly, it can leave behind depressions or irregular texture.
Micro-needling works by:
1. Stimulating New Collagen
Indented scars (like rolling or boxcar scars) improve as new collagen rebuilds the skin from within.
2. Smoothing Texture
As the skin remodels, surface irregularities gradually soften.
3. Improving Skin Thickness
Thicker, stronger skin helps reduce the appearance of shallow scarring.
4. Reducing Redness (Post-Inflammatory Erythema)
By improving overall skin health and regeneration, micro-needling can also help reduce lingering redness over time.
What Types of Acne Scars Respond Best?
Micro-needling is most effective for:
Rolling scars
Shallow boxcar scars
Mild to moderate textural scarring
A professional assessment is essential to determine suitability.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
Acne scarring is not typically resolved in one session.
Most clients require:
A series of 3 - 6 treatments
Spaced 4 - 6 weeks apart
Collagen remodeling continues for months after each session, meaning improvements are gradual and cumulative.
Can Microneedling Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Yes, and often, this is where results truly elevate.
Advanced formulations such as growth factor serums (for example, those derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell media) can be applied during treatment to enhance healing and amplify collagen stimulation.
When paired correctly with a supportive home routine, results can be significantly improved.
Is Microneedling Safe for Active Acne?
Microneedling is not performed over active, inflamed acne. Treating active breakouts first is crucial to prevent spreading bacteria and worsening inflammation.
Once acne is under control, microneedling can then address the residual scarring.
What Results Can You Expect?
Realistic expectations are important.
Microneedling:
Improves the appearance of acne scars
Softens texture
Strengthens skin integrity
Reduces redness over time
It does not:
Completely erase deep scars
Replace surgical scar revision when required
However, for many clients, it is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments available for acne scarring.
So, does micro-needling help acne scars?
Yes. When performed correctly, in a clinical setting, and as part of a structured treatment plan, microneedling can significantly improve acne scarring by rebuilding the skin from within.
If acne scars are something you’ve been wanting to address, a consultation with a qualified skin professional is the first step. A personalised plan will always deliver better results than a one size fits all approach.
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