Microneedling for Acne Scars in Santa Monica: Evidence, Science & Healing

Stella de Stefanis
Aug 20
4 min read

Updated: Oct 15

Acne scars can leave lasting marks that affect both confidence and skin texture. At Acupunctury in Santa Monica, we offer microneedling for acne scars—an evidence-based, minimally invasive procedure that stimulates your skin to rebuild from within.

This guide dives into how microneedling works, what clinical research says, how long results take, and why we pair it with traditional acupuncture to support whole-body healing.

How Microneedling Works to Fade Acne Scars

Microneedling (also known as collagen induction therapy) uses fine sterile needles to create controlled micro-channels in the skin. This process triggers the body’s natural healing response:

Growth factor release → signals the skin to repair itself.
Fibroblast activation → new collagen (Types I & III) and elastin are produced.
Neoangiogenesis → new blood vessels form, nourishing the healing tissue.

The result? Over time, atrophic (indented) scars lift, skin texture smooths, and tone becomes more even.

What Clinical Research Shows

1. El-Domyati et al. (2015) – Prospective Clinical & Histology Study

Design: Prospective, single-arm, with biopsies and histology.
Participants: 10 patients (ages 19–32, Fitzpatrick III–IV) with atrophic acne scars.
Protocol: Six microneedling sessions every 2 weeks for 3 months.
Outcomes:
- “Good” clinical improvement (51–60%) in scars by 3 months.
- Rolling and boxcar scars responded best.
- Histology confirmed thicker epidermis (+27%) and new collagen I, III, VII
  fibers.
- 80–85% reported high satisfaction.

PubMed Link

2. Alam et al. (2014) – Randomized, Split-Face Controlled Trial

Design: Split-face randomized trial; one side treated, the other untreated.
Participants: 20 adults with atrophic acne scars.
Protocol: Three sessions at 2-week intervals.
Outcomes:
- At 6 months, treated sides showed significant reduction in scar scores.
- Patients reported 41% mean improvement in scar appearance.
- Minimal discomfort (average pain 1/10).

MDPI Link

3. Dogra et al. (2014) – Prospective Case Series

Design: Prospective, uncontrolled trial.
Participants: 36 patients (26 female, 10 male) with atrophic acne scars.
Protocol: Five monthly dermaroller sessions.
Outcomes:
- Scar scores dropped by nearly half.
- 22 patients had a “good response”; 4 were rated “excellent.”
- Mild side effects: hyperpigmentation (5 cases) and superficial scarring (2 cases).

MDPI Link

4. Shen et al. (2022) – Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

Design: Meta-analysis of 12 randomized or controlled studies, 414 patients total.
Findings:
- Microneedling significantly improved acne scars compared with baseline.
- No cases of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), making it safe across all skin tones.
- High patient satisfaction and safety profile.

PubMed Link

5. Minh PPT et al. (2019) – Prospective Vietnamese Cohort

Design: Single-center cohort study.
Participants: 31 patients with moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scars (grades II–IV).
Outcomes:
- Histology showed 400–1000% increase in collagen and elastin at 6 months.
- 40% increase in epidermal thickness at 1 year.

PubMed Link

6. Comprehensive 2025 Review – 28 Clinical Studies

Design: Review of 28 trials from 2020–2025 (RCTs, case series, comparative studies).
Findings:
- Microneedling consistently improved scar depth, texture, and quality of life.
- Combination approaches (PRP, radiofrequency, subcision) provided deeper results.
- Safe and effective across diverse skin tones, including Fitzpatrick IV–VI.

Research Gate Link

How Long Does Microneedling Take to Work?

Early glow: Subtle brightness within 2–3 weeks.
Noticeable scar smoothing: Typically after 3–6 treatments (results may vary), spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
Continued remodeling: Collagen remodeling continues for up to 12 months post-series.

Why We Pair Microneedling With Acupuncture

At Acupunctury, we enhance microneedling with traditional body acupuncture to optimize internal balance:

Microcirculation boost → acupuncture increases skin blood flow, supporting scar remodeling.
Stress & sleep regulation → healthier recovery and collagen synthesis.
Acne outcomes → studies suggest acupuncture improves active acne and patient quality of life.

Together, microneedling stimulates scar repair, while acupuncture creates an internal environment that supports faster, deeper healing.

Is Microneedling Right for You?

Microneedling is one of the most inclusive and versatile treatments for acne scars because it can be performed safely on all skin tones and types. Unlike many lasers or chemical peels that can increase the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in medium-to-deep skin tones, microneedling avoids thermal damage and focuses instead on mechanical stimulation of collagen.

The best candidates for microneedling have atrophic scars (rolling or boxcar respond best), while ice-pick scars often require combination therapies

Why It’s Safe Across Skin Tones

Non-ablative, non-thermal: Microneedling doesn’t rely on heat, so there’s far less risk of pigmentary changes.
Minimal downtime: Redness and mild swelling typically resolve in 1–3 days, without long-term sensitivity.

At Acupunctury in Santa Monica, we’ll examine your skin, your goals, and health history, with which we will design a personalized plan, and—if appropriate—offer add-ons like Celluma LED Light Therapy to help you achieve the best outcome.

Final Word: A Science-Backed Path to Smoother Skin

Clinical research confirms microneedling is a safe, effective, and evidence-based treatment for acne scars. With proper care, a short series of treatments can lead to lasting improvements in skin texture and confidence.