You’ve dealt with the breakouts but the stubborn marks they leave behind still linger catching the light every morning.

Acne may fade, but scars tend to stay put. If you’ve been Googling skin needling for acne scars and wondering whether it’s worth your money, here’s the honest breakdown you need.

Skin Needling for Acne Scars Summary

• Skin needling for acne scars is effective against rolling and boxcar acne scars and overall texture, but less so against deep, narrow ice pick scars.
• Most people need 3-6 sessions, spaced out every 4-6 weeks.
• You’ll be red and sore for a day or so, but generally return to normal within a day.
• It isn’t suitable if you have active breakouts, and results take time. The effects really enhance from a few weeks on from your treatment, so it’s a longer term commitment once you’ve started the series.

What is Skin Needling?

A pen-like device fitted with sterile fine needles creates controlled micro-injuries to the skin, stimulating new collagen and elastin production by the body as it repairs the damage. For this reason, skin needling is sometimes also called collagen induction therapy.

It sounds painful, but with numbing cream it’s more a sensation of pressure plus vibration, and most people report that it’s reasonably tolerable.

Why is it Good for Acne Scars?

When a large pimple erupts and heals, the resulting acne scar occurs when the collagen in the skin attempts to repair the damage, but this doesn’t always occur smoothly. Scar tissue may be adhered underneath the skin giving the characteristic ‘dented’ look of some acne scars.

Skin needling treatment can help to break up this adhered tissue, encouraging the formation of new, healthy collagen and smoothing out the appearance of the skin.

Which Acne Scars Respond Best to Skin Needling?

1. Rolling Scars

These are the gently undulating scars. Usually, a positive response.

2. Boxcar Scars

These are the angular, wider depressions. Another good response to skin needling.

3. Ice Pick Scars

Narrow, deep holes. These can improve with skin needling for acne scars but may require additional treatment.

4. Red or Brown Marks

Not true scars but often found in conjunction with acne scars, and these can also be lightened with needling.

Is it Actually Worthwhile?

Skin needling for acne scars is a worthwhile treatment for many people, but it’s not a magic wand, and anyone promising you miracles is likely to be spinning you a fib. You can expect noticeably smoother skin with less prominent scars, but not completely gone.

Skin needling for acne scars is most effective when the treatment is suited to your particular scars and performed as a course, not a one off.

What Happens in a Skin Needling Session?

1. Consultation: to assess your suitability and determine the appropriate type and number of treatments.
2. Numbing cream: applied for 20-30 mins.
3. Needling: the actual needling takes around 20-30 mins depending on the size of the area being treated.
4. Soothing serum: applied, and you’re on your way home.

There is a recovery period and aftercare to help your skin heal, which we’ll cover below.

Aftercare and Healing for Skin Needling

• The skin will appear flushed for 24-48 hours, like a mild sunburn with some tightness and flaking possible a couple of days later.
• Avoid picking at the skin and do not attempt to remove any flaky areas.
• Use a gentle cleanser and moisturiser suitable for sensitive, healing skin.
• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen each day.
• Avoid using acne treatments and topical retinoids for a few days after your treatment.

Who Should Not Have Skin Needling?

If you have any of the following conditions you should wait until they’re resolved before considering skin needling for acne scars:

• Active inflamed or cystic acne
• Cold sores or skin infections
• Pregnancy
• A personal history of keloid scarring
• Recent isotretinoin use

How Does it Compare with Other Treatments?

There are a number of other effective acne scar treatments including lasers, chemical peels and radiofrequency needling. Each can be an excellent option, but needling tends to have less downtime than lasers and is a gentler first option for many skin types.

Skin needling for acne scars is a good first step for many clients before considering more intensive treatments.

Choosing a Suitable Practitioner for Skin Needling

We can’t stress this enough – choose a practitioner who will assess you before undertaking any skin needling for acne scars. You need to be sure that they:

• Will assess your skin before recommending needling
• Uses single use, sterile disposable needle cartridges
• Can show you before and after pictures from other clients
• Is honest and up front about what skin needling for acne scars can achieve

You might also wish to enquire how frequently the practitioner performs skin needling for acne scars and what sort of improvement they observe in their clients.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost depends on the area being needled and your suitability for skin needling for acne scars. A full cheek area is unlikely to cost the same as some stray spots on your forehead!

The best way to determine the cost for skin needling for acne scars is to have a skin assessment and ask for an indication of the total cost of a course of treatments.

Are You Ready to See the Difference Skin Needling Can Make?

If acne scars are letting you down, hiding your confidence behind heavy concealers, then it’s well worth looking into your skin needling options to see what can be done. A simple initial consultation will explain which scars respond well to skin needling for acne scars, how many treatments you’ll need and what to expect.

Book your consultation now and work with us to develop the best skin needling treatment plan for your acne scars. Done right, skin needling for acne scars can make a real difference to your skin’s appearance.