What is the efficacy of Derma Pen (microneedling device) with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for treating acne scars?

Efficacy of Derma Pen with PRP for Acne Scars

The combination of microneedling (Derma Pen) with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is significantly more effective than microneedling alone for treating atrophic acne scars, with studies showing up to 85.4% improvement in scar appearance and higher patient satisfaction rates. 1, 2

Comparative Efficacy

• Microneedling combined with PRP shows significantly better clinical improvement in acne scars compared to microneedling alone, with higher patient satisfaction scores (5.95 vs 5.35) 3
• Studies demonstrate that combined microneedling with PRP treatment results in approximately 62.20% improvement compared to 45.84% with microneedling alone based on Goodman's Quantitative scale 2
• When comparing PRP to other adjuncts, microneedling with PRP shows better outcomes than microneedling with vitamin C for treating atrophic acne scars 3
• Recent evidence suggests that platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) may be even more effective than PRP when combined with microneedling, with PRF showing a 3-fold higher "excellent" outcome rate 3

Treatment Protocol

• The recommended protocol for acne scar treatment is three microneedling with PRP sessions, spaced one month apart, with maintenance treatments every 6 months 3
• Optimal needle depth for treating acne scars is typically 1.5mm, adjusted based on scar depth and patient tolerance 4
• Treatment should include 3-4 monthly sessions for optimal results, with sessions spaced at least one month apart to allow for proper healing 4
• For best results, PRP should be applied before microneedling rather than after, as this allows the needling effect to push the platelet concentrates deeper into the skin 3

Scar Type Response

• Rolling scars show the best clinical response to microneedling with PRP, followed by boxcar scars, while ice pick scars are more resistant 3
• The combination of microneedling with PRP is effective for all types of atrophic acne scars but particularly effective for rolling and boxcar types 5
• More severe scars (Goodman and Baron grade 3-4) show more dramatic improvement with the combined approach than with either treatment alone 3

Clinical Outcomes

• Patients treated with microneedling plus PRP show significantly reduced scar severity grade, with baseline mean Goodman and Baron grade of 3.45 reducing to 1.47 after treatment, compared to 3.33 with control treatments 3
• The combined approach results in excellent response in 40% of patients and good response in 60%, compared to only 10% excellent response with microneedling alone 2
• Areas treated with PRP show significantly shorter downtime and faster healing compared to areas treated with microneedling alone 3, 4
• Patient satisfaction is significantly higher with the combined approach, with 36% of patients reporting more than 75% satisfaction compared to only 3% with microneedling alone 3

Practical Considerations

• The efficacy of the treatment may be influenced by patient age and scar duration, with a negative correlation between improvement and both factors 3
• For optimal results, treatments should be delayed until at least 4-6 weeks after any previous procedures, with a 3-month waiting period being ideal for mature scars 4
• Begin with lower energy settings for the first treatment session to assess skin response before increasing in subsequent sessions 4
• Patients should follow a proper skincare routine during treatment, including gentle cleansing with mild, non-drying face wash and use of non-comedogenic products 3

Comparative Treatments

• When comparing different treatment modalities, a combination of microneedling with PRP (70.43% improvement) is more effective than either intradermal PRP alone (48.82%) or microneedling alone (39.71%) 3
• While both PRP and PRF show efficacy, recent evidence suggests PRF may produce better outcomes with a 5-fold higher "excellent" reported outcome compared to PRP when used as an injection, and 3-fold better results when combined with microneedling 3
• Combined approaches that include microneedling with PRP also show better results than chemical peeling techniques for acne scars 6