Does Microneedling Work for Acne and Acne Scars?

Microneedling is a type of rejuvenating cosmetic procedure that helps improve the texture and appearance of skin. It has roots in ancient acupuncture techniques that the Chinese used in an effort to stimulate the release and flow of positive energy throughout the body. Today, however, microneedling is used to effectuate healthier and prettier skin as much as positive Qi, with science refining the procedure as researchers and clinicians continue to study and better understand the mechanics behind collagen production and the ways in which it can be manipulated for improved skin care. Take a look at microneedling as it’s used today and learn how it works to improve problematic skin issues like acne and acne scars:

Basics of Microneedling 

In short, microneedling is a way to stimulate collagen production within the body. A licensed clinician or physician uses a handheld tool with many small needles to pierce tiny holes into a patient’s skin. These mini injuries initiate a natural immune response within the patient, one step of which is often the production of collagen. Indeed, collagen is released in response to most injuries, helping to provide a foundation on which healthy tissue can be restored. In this way, a microneedling treatment can be used by health spa clinicians to purposefully initiate skin rejuvenation in one or more precise areas of a patient’s skin, creating micro injuries in those locations that the body will then rush in to repair with new supplies of collagen, elastin and other biologics. 

How Microneedling Works to Treat Acne and Acne Scars

Collagen is so important in skin care because it is a key component for keeping skin pliable and strong. Being able to deliberately generate collagen within the skin means clinicians can help patients treat their skin problems on demand. For instance, when a patient has acne and/or acne scars, microneedling can be used to:

• Create injuries that the body seeks to repair by sloughing away dead, damaged and pigmented skin cells and releasing valuable collagen. This collagen provides the foundation for new skin growth, as well as plumps it (due to collagen’s high water content), thus making acne and acne scars less noticeable.

• Puncture previous scar tissue, breaking it apart and making it easier for the collagen that will be released to move in, take root and make positive effect.

• Accelerate the transdermal delivery of nutrients (via serums, creams and lotions), permitting scar-reducing medications to fully penetrate the skin and provide better results. 

Want to Learn More?

Microneedling enables clinicians to stimulate collagen production via intentional (albeit) tiny injuries, thereby allowing patients to specifically target problems with their skin as needed. If you would like more information on microneedling and the realistic results you might expect from a microneedling procedure, please contact our practice. We offer a range of medspa services, along with comprehensive functional medicine care, to ensure that all our patients live their healthiest and fullest lives.