Can Microneedling Reduce My Acne Scars?

Most people assume that once their acne clears up, their skin eventually goes back to normal. For many people, it doesn’t. The pitting and texture left behind can be more persistent than the breakouts ever were, and no amount of moisturizer changes that. Microneedling penetrates the skin to repair damage from acne at a cellular level.

At Laguna Beach Aesthetics in Laguna Beach, California, Adrienne O’Connell, DO, offers microneedling treatments that help improve the appearance of acne scarring, skin texture, and overall tone.

How microneedling treats acne scars

When acne damages the deeper layers of skin, your body repairs it quickly, but not always cleanly. The collagen it produces during healing can be uneven, which is what creates the depressions and textural changes that become permanent scars. That collagen is already set; it won’t reorganize on its own.

Microneedling, a collagen induction therapy, utilizes a device to create thousands of controlled micro-injuries across the skin. This procedure restarts the repair process by triggering growth, new collagen production, and elastin formation, gradually changing the scar tissue. 

The micro-channels created during treatment also allow active ingredients to absorb more deeply, so Dr. O’Connell applies hyaluronic acid and, when appropriate, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell serum during the session to support healing. The practice’s DermaPen uses sterile, disposable cartridges and is safe for all skin types.

What to expect during and after microneedling

A topical numbing cream goes on first, so by the time the DermaPen is in use, most patients find the treatment very tolerable. After the session, the skin looks and feels like a mild sunburn for a few days. During that initial recovery window:

• Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer
• Apply sunscreen consistently
• Avoid swimming and strenuous exercise
• Stay out of direct sun

Most patients notice improvement a couple of weeks after their first treatment. Collagen remodeling continues for 3-6 months, with results continuing to grow afterward. 

Microneedling with PRP

Combining microneedling with platelet-rich plasma builds on the healing chemistry of your body, which can effectively fade acne scars up to 70%. PRP is made from your blood and contains concentrated growth factors that accelerate tissue repair and collagen production.

Because the micro-channels from the DermaPen allow it to absorb into the deeper layers of skin, the two work well together. Be sure to ingest plenty of fluids beforehand if you plan to include PRP.

Potenza™ radiofrequency microneedling

For deeper or more established scarring, Potenza by Cynosure® pairs traditional microneedling with radiofrequency energy. The radiofrequency reaches further into the tissue than needling alone, which helps break down firmer scar tissue and accelerates the remodeling process without damaging the skin’s surface. 

Choosing between microneedling, PRP, and Potenza

Microneedling is particularly effective for atrophic acne scars — the depressed, pitted type — because it stimulates the collagen needed to fill them in. It also improves pore size, texture, and tone across the board, so the surrounding skin looks better alongside the scarring.  A series approach matters because treatments build on the previous treatment.

Based on your specific scarring and skin, a consultation with Dr. O’Connell determines whether standard microneedling, microneedling with PRP, or Potenza is the best next step.

Acne scar treatment in Laguna Beach, California

Call Laguna Beach Aesthetics at 949-264-8825 or schedule an appointment online to discover which microneedling option is best for you.