Acne Scars

Microneedling

In 2015 the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology published a study in which 10 subjects with different types of acne scars were treated with 6 microneedling sessions at 2-week intervals. Results showed that microneedling effectively stimulated the repair process, increased collagen production and provided noticeable clinical improvements in acne scars.

In 2014 the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery published a study using combination therapy including subcision, microneedling and 15 percent TCA peel. Out of 16 patients with grade 4 scars, 10 improved to grade 2 scars and 6 improved to grade 3 scars. Out of 22 patients with grade 3 scars, 5 were left with no scars, 2 improved to grade 1 scars and 15 improved to grade 2 scars. All 11 patients treated with grade 2 scars were left with no scars.

In 2014 the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery published a study comparing microneedling combined with either PRP (platlet rich plasma) or vitamin C for treating acne scars. Overall results were better with platlet-rich plasma, though vitamin C improved skin firmness and smoothness and reduced post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.

In 2015 the Indian Dermatology Online Journal published a study in which 35 patients underwent treatment of acne scars using retinoic and glycolic acid. After 12 weeks 91 percent of the patients saw a significant improvement in scarring.

In 2008 the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology published a study involving 22 patients in which subcision treatment mildly improved acne scarring in 60 percent of participants and moderately improved scarring in 40 percent.

In 2011 the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published a study involving 7 adults with acne scars which showed that Fractional CO2 lasers provided clinical improvement in acne scars after 3 weeks and 3 sessions.

In 2014 the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology published a study in which 147 subjects with acne scars received 2 injection sessions with either polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) collagen or saline injections. The results showed that the collagen group had a 64 percent success rate compared to 33 percent in the saline group. The researchers noted collagen’s excellent safety profile with generally mild, reversible adverse events.