From the Guidelines
Microneedling is a highly effective and safe procedure for anti-aging, offering significant benefits in reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and improving skin texture and firmness, as evidenced by the most recent study in 2025 1. The procedure involves using a device with tiny needles that penetrate the skin's surface, triggering the body's natural wound healing response, which stimulates collagen and elastin production.
- The treatment is based on the principle of neovascularization, which occurs after minimal trauma and induces rapid neocollagenesis and tissue repair.
- Histological studies have demonstrated improvements in skin thickness and hydration with microneedling alone 1.
- When combined with autologous platelet concentrates (APCs), microneedling is a simple and effective procedure that offers clinical benefits via a safe treatment modality 1.
- The use of microneedling with APCs has been shown to be a better treatment option than microneedling with vitamin C in treating atrophic acne scars, with greater patient satisfaction 1. The procedure typically involves 3-6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart, with maintenance treatments recommended every 6-12 months, and takes 20-30 minutes to complete, with results developing gradually over 2-3 months as collagen remodeling occurs.
- Recovery is relatively quick, with redness and mild swelling subsiding within 24-72 hours.
- Microneedling works by activating fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin, effectively rebuilding and strengthening the skin's foundation, and also enhances the absorption of topical anti-aging products by creating temporary channels in the skin.
From the Research
Benefits of Microneedling for Anti-Aging
- Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that stimulates the release of growth factors and induces collagen production, leading to improved skin texture and reduced fine lines and wrinkles 2, 3.
- The procedure has been shown to be effective in treating various dermatologic conditions, including acne scars, melasma, photodamage, and skin rejuvenation 2, 4.
- Microneedling has been found to be safe and well-tolerated, with minimal side effects, such as transient erythema and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation 2, 4, 5.
Mechanism of Action
- Microneedling creates micro-wounds that stimulate the wound healing cascade, leading to increased collagen production and improved skin texture 3, 6.
- The procedure has been shown to increase dermal and epidermal density, as well as facial elasticity, resulting in improved skin architecture and reduced fine lines and wrinkles 6.
Clinical Evidence
- Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of microneedling in improving fine lines and wrinkles, skin laxity, and skin texture 6, 5.
- Microneedling has been found to be effective in improving skin rejuvenation, with increased collagen and elastin gene expression, and new extracellular matrix production 6.
- The procedure has been shown to be well-tolerated, with minimal pain, discomfort, and downtime, and minimal side effects 5.