Skin Needling As a Treatment for Acne Scarring: An Up-to-date Review of the Literature

Overview

Journal Int J Womens Dermatol

Publisher Wolters Kluwer

Date 2017 May 12

PMID 28491962

Citations 9

Authors

Adam G Harris

Catherine Naidoo

Dedee F Murrell

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Skin needling is a technique used to improve the appearance of acne scarring.

Objective: To comprehensively review the medical literature regarding skin needling as a treatment for acne scarring.

Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases, in addition to reviewing the bibliographies of relevant articles.

Results: Ten studies presented patients treated with skin needling alone, while eight studies discussed skin needling in combination with other treatments for acne scarring. All studies showed improvements in scarring after needling, with 12 reporting statistical significance. The median number of treatments when needling was used alone was three, the median duration between treatments was 4 weeks, and the median needle length used was 1.5 mm. Reported adverse events were infrequent and included post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, "tram track" scarring, acne, and milia. There were no reports of bacterial infections.

Limitations: The studies reviewed were heterogeneous in design and of variable validity, with some not reporting statistical significance.

Conclusion: There is moderate evidence to suggest that skin needling is beneficial and safe for the treatment of acne scarring. However, double-blinded, randomized controlled trials are required to make more definitive conclusions.

Citing Articles

Topical, light-based, and complementary interventions for acne: an overview of systematic reviews.

Yuan Y, Wang Y, Xia J, Liu H, Liu J, Li D Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024; 10():CD014918.

PMID: 39440650 PMC: 11497561. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD014918.pub2.

Evaluation of Ultrasound Changes With the Use of Microneedling Versus Fractional CO2 Laser in Atrophic Acne Scars.

Nanco-Melendez C, Yagnam-Diaz M, Munoz-Caceres M, Contador-Gonzalez J, Gubelin-Harcha W, Chicao-Carmona F Dermatol Pract Concept. 2024; 14(3).

PMID: 39122490 PMC: 11314431. DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1403a168.

PRP and its benefit as an adjunctive therapy with subcision and microneedling in atrophic scars: a comparative study.

Vashisht A, Krishna A, Chugh R, David A, Srivastava D J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2024; 17(2):137-145.

PMID: 38800810 PMC: 11126227. DOI: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_64_23.

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.

Ebrahim H, Elardi A, Khater S, Morsi H J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022; 15(7):26-31.

PMID: 35942010 PMC: 9345194.

Safety and Effectiveness of an Automated Microneedling Device in Improving Acne Scarring.

Von Dalwig-Nolda D, Ablon G J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020; 13(8):17-22.

PMID: 33178377 PMC: 7595357.

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