Dermal microneedling compared with laser for acne scarring: same effect, less side-effects

10/04/16 15:18

A long-awaited randomised clinical trial comparing the effect of fractional erbium laser with microneedling for the treatment of acne scarring, was published in the February 2016 issue of the Dermatologic Surgery journal.

46 patients with facial acne scars were randomised to receive either laser or microneedling for three, monthly sessions. Two blinded dermatologists assessed the results at two and six months after treatment. Both groups showed significant improvement, and there was no statistically significant difference between the results of both therapies. The redness after each session was longer in the laser group, and 13.6% of subjects experienced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. No post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was observed in the microneedling group.

The study concluded both treatments are comparable and effective in the treatment of acne scarring. Microneedling however was better tolerated, with fewer side-effects, and a shorter down-time.