Microneedling for Treatment of Acne Scars: Considerations on the Successful Management of This Aesthetic Procedure

edema, and pain are normal and disappear within 2-3 days. Gel based on hyaluronic acid, vitamins, or growth factors (PRP) has to be applied after the treatment. This cosmetic application has to be repeated daily, preferably in the evening, on the facial unit treated for 7-10 days. Sunblock SPF 50+ has to be applied, preferably in the morning, on the face for 7-10 days too. The best results with scarring improvement of 50-75% in most of the patients and over 75% in a small percentage of the patients can be assessed using various grading scales, even if the Goodman and Baron qualitative and quantitative system is the most frequently used.⁹ According to most of the studies, these results are comparable with those obtained through nonablative lasers and even fractional ablative lasers. They can be achieved with a different number of sessions of microneedling varying from 1-4 to 6-8 according to the subtype and severity of scarring beyond the age of patients and duration of scarring; in fact, the most patients present mixed subtypes of scars with boxcar and rolling scars which show a greater degree of improvement than ice pick scars. It is useful to apply microneedling at 4-week rather than 2-week intervals¹⁰ as well as to evaluate the final result after at least 3 months from the last session and better after a long follow-up (6-12 months) according to the slow times of a complete neo-collagenesis.⁶

In conclusion, microneedling remains a well-established low-cost aesthetic procedure of first choice for the treatment of acne scars¹³ in all phototypes^14,15 compared to the most traditional lasers or peelings because it has high efficacy and safety with minimal post-treatment recovery rates and risk of complications. Besides, particular recommendations before the treatment, intra-operative, and after the treatment according to a standardized protocol can optimize the final aesthetic results reserving the combination with more traditional therapies to selected severe cases.^16,17 

Thanks to Prof. K Fritz* for his scientific support in the publication of this manuscript. 

 

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