Microneedling for Acne Scars

Dealing with breakouts is already difficult, but what’s even harder is treating the scars it leaves behind. While a pimple goes away within a few days or weeks, acne scars can stay for decades. 

Thankfully, treatments like microneedling for acne scars can help smooth out and fill in the indented skin. When carried out by a qualified provider, microneedling is an effective, minimally invasive solution that works on most types of acne scars.

Want to discover how microneedling reduces acne and texture? This guide covers everything you should know about the results, timeline, and what to expect from a microneedling treatment.

Understanding Acne Scars 

Acne scars are the visible marks and texture changes left behind after an acne breakout fades. 

They’re caused by the skin damage and prolonged inflammation from breakouts, especially when there is cystic acne or a skin-picking tendency. The healing afterwards is an uneven process. 

It causes collagen degradation and malformation, resulting in uneven texture. The inflammation can also stimulate hyperpigmentation or redness. 

Types of Acne Scars

Most acne scars are atrophic scars, which means they cause indentations in the skin. They fall into these three main categories: 

• Rolling scars are shallow, indented acne scars with smoother, sloping edges. Individual scars may not stand out very prominently, but they give the skin an overall textured appearance. 
• Boxcar scars are also shallow, but with a more defined edge, which can make them seem more noticeable. 
• Icepick scars are deep with a narrow opening. They are sometimes also referred to as pitted acne scars. 
• Hypertrophic acne scars are less common. They’re more likely to occur when skin picking leads to additional skin injury. These scars are raised as a result of increased type III collagen production at the time of healing. 
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) refers to dark marks that often occur after a breakout. PIH is technically not scarring, but it can still respond well to microneedling. 
• Post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) is the redness that can remain due to damage to capillaries during a breakout (especially from skin picking). Redness often responds better to light-based treatments like laser facials, but can still be visibly minimized with microneedling. 

Microneedling for Acne Scars: How It Works 

Microneedling can help minimize acne scars by over 75% with just a few sessions. It uses fine needles to create thousands of controlled microinjuries in the skin. 

As clinical resources explain, this is enough damage to trigger the skin’s healing response, but not so much damage that your body’s self-repair mechanisms go into emergency mode. 

Over time, it helps the body create new, flexible type I collagen that fills in indented areas of scarring and creates smoother skin. It also promotes neovascularization, which helps visibly fade away hyperpigmentation and red post-acne marks. 

What Type of Acne Scars Does Microneedling Treat Most Effectively?

Microneedling is most effective for shallow, indented acne scars like boxcar and rolling scars. It can also help fade other types of post-acne marks, like redness and discoloration. On its own, microneedling may not be as effective for icepick scars, which are thin and deep, but it can be combined with other procedures to increase efficacy. 

What to Expect from Microneedling for Acne Scars 

Microneedling is a straightforward treatment, but it can be a little intimidating the first time. Here’s what to expect. 

Experience

To start, your provider will typically apply numbing cream to prevent discomfort during your treatment. Then, they’ll conduct an assessment and consultation to understand your needs and goals. 

After cleansing and sanitizing your skin, treatment will start. As your provider treats your skin methodically, you will feel a light scratching sensation. There may be some slight discomfort. 

Your provider will adjust the settings as they treat different areas of your face, and they will pay special attention to areas with acne scars.

Once done, your provider will apply a soothing gel designed specifically for post-procedure and instruct you on aftercare. 

Side Effects 

Common side effects after microneedling include redness, mild swelling, flaking or scaling, and occasional bruising. These usually last just a few days and are mild enough that you can usually continue your normal daily activities.

If there is significant discomfort or your side effects last longer than 7 days, get in touch with your provider. 

Results

In a large prospective study, microneedling was able to minimize the appearance of scars by anywhere from 50% to 100%. Most participants in the study saw at least a 50% improvement after just a few sessions, with many seeing 75%-100% improvement. 

But these results don’t show up instantly. Microneedling triggers a collagen repair response that continues in the weeks after a treatment. As that collagen builds gradually, the results become apparent. 

This means that the effects of a microneedling treatment only begin to show around two weeks after a session, and they continue to progress for several months after. 

Pre and Post-Care 

Before Treatment

• Review all treatment forms to ensure you’re a safe candidate for microneedling. You may need to take a break from some treatments and procedures, depending on your provider. 
• Wear sunscreen and avoid unprotected sun exposure for at least 24 hours before treatment, although ideally this is already part of your lifestyle. 
• Avoid using retinoids, acne treatments, or chemical exfoliants (e.g., AHA/BHA) on the treatment area for 24 hours. 
• On the day of your appointment, make sure your skin is clean and makeup-free. Consider bringing a hat for sun protection post-treatment. 

After Treatment 

• Do not apply anything to the skin for 24 hours unless directed by your provider.
• Keep your skin clean and makeup-free for at least 72 hours. Ensure hands, towels, bedding, and other items that come in contact with your skin are clean.
• Avoid sun exposure 72 hours post-treatment. Use SPF 30 or greater after 24 hours.
• Avoid jacuzzis, saunas, and other high-temperature environments for 72 hours.
• For the first week, do not use retinoids (including prescription), acne treatments, exfoliants, or vitamin C. 
• Avoid cosmetic injections or laser facials on the treated area for 2 weeks. 
• Avoid laser hair removal, radiofrequency, chemical peels, or aggressive resurfacing treatments on the treated area for 1 month. 

Microneedling vs Laser for Acne Scars 

Microneedling’s not the only treatment often recommended for acne scars. Laser treatments come in at close second. When deciding between microneedling vs laser, we think microneedling takes the slight edge, but the two treatments can also work together to amplify each other, or to target different concerns more comprehensively. 

Microneedling offers better, more targeted collagen repair, making it a more powerful solution for deep textural issues. 

However, laser treatments can more effectively target melanin and hemoglobin in the skin, so they may offer better results for post-breakout hyperpigmentation and redness. 

Ablative lasers, which remove surface layers of skin, are most commonly recommended for scarring, but they’re generally not a safe option for those with deeper skin tones. Gentler lasers can be safe for everyone, but may take longer to visibly fade acne scars.

Bottom Line 

Microneedling is an incredible treatment for acne scars. By triggering the skin’s own collagen repair, it helps correct and fill in indented acne scars. It’s a minimally invasive treatment that delivers visible results within 3-4 sessions, and typically has little to no downtime. 

If you have acne scars or other surface texture that you’d like to minimize, starting treatment will bring you closer to smooth skin. At SEV, your microneedling treatment uses the FDA-cleared SkinPen device, and all providers have the experience to ensure your best possible results. 

As an introductory offer, try your first SkinPen session for just $129 with code HELLORENEW. Visit our booking portal to schedule at your nearest SEV location.