Microneedling for Acne Scars Near Me: What It Treats and How Many Sessions

Your breakouts finally cleared up. Then the bathroom light hits your cheek at an angle, and you see the small dents they left behind. In a U.S. study of nearly 2,000 people seeing a dermatologist for acne, 43% already had acne scars, and most of them had only mild or moderate acne (Tan et al., 2017).

Microneedling for acne scars can soften many of those dents, but not every one. Here's which scar types respond, which need a different tool, how many sessions most people need, and what a realistic microneedling acne scars before and after looks like.

Still getting new breakouts? Start with our acne treatment in Louisville so fresh spots stop forming, then move on to scar repair with our microneedling treatments.

Key Takeaways

• Microneedling works best on rolling and boxcar scars, the wide, shallow dents that make skin look uneven.
• Deep ice picks scars, raised scars, and keloids need a different treatment.
• Most plans call for three to six sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, with the clearest change at two to three months.
• Expect improvement rather than erased scars: studies cited by the American Academy of Dermatology found scars faded by about 50% to 70% after a series.
• Active breakouts need to settle first, so many plans start with acne treatment.

Does Microneedling Work on Acne Scars and Improve Skin Texture?

Yes, for the right scars. Microneedling for acne scars works best on depressed scars, especially rolling and boxcar scars, because it prompts your skin to build new collagen underneath the dent.

During a session, your provider glides a pen-shaped device with very fine needles across your skin, creating thousands of tiny, controlled channels. Your skin responds by making fresh collagen and elastin, which lifts the floor of each scar over the following weeks. 

Think of a dent in a lawn: you can't fill it overnight, but loosen the soil and let new growth come in, and the low spot levels out over a season.

A 2020 review of 58 studies and 1,845 patients backs this up. Boxcar and rolling scars showed the most improvement with microneedling, while ice pick scars were often resistant (Juhasz & Cohen, 2020).

Which Acne Scars Can Microneedling Treat?

Rolling scars and shallow to medium boxcar scars respond best. Flat red or brown marks can improve too, but deep ice pick scars, raised scars, and keloids need another approach. Use this table to match what you see in the mirror.

Most faces have a mix, such as rolling scars along the jaw and a few ice pick scars near the temple. That's why your plan may combine more than one treatment. Microneedling is generally safe across skin types, though post-treatment hyperpigmentation can still occur in some patients.

Which Acne Scars Can't Microneedling Fix?

Deep ice pick scars, raised (hypertrophic) scars, and keloids don't respond well to microneedling on its own. Here's what tends to work better for each.

Deep Ice Pick Scars

Ice pick scars are the most common type, making up an estimated 60% to 70% of depressed acne scars (DermNet, n.d.). Needles can't lift the bottom of a pit that deep, so dermatologists often remove these scars with a small punch tool first (Jacob et al., 2001). Microneedling can then smooth the skin around them.

Raised Scars and Keloids

Raised scars sit above the skin, so adding collagen won't help. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against microneedling if you have or have had a keloid. Steroid injections from a dermatologist are a more common fix.

Flat Dark Marks

The brown, red, or purple spots left after a pimple heals are post-inflammatory marks, not dents. A chemical peel and daily sunscreen can help reduce redness in red marks while fading darker discoloration over time, often faster than microneedling does.

How Many Microneedling Sessions for Acne Scars?

Most people need three to six sessions spaced about four to six weeks apart, with the total varying depending on scar depth, age, healing response, and goals. Mild, shallow scarring may look smoother after three sessions, while deeper rolling or boxcar scars often need five or six.

The American Academy of Dermatology describes a typical acne scar plan as three to five sessions, two to four weeks apart. At Eternity Wellness, we space sessions four to six weeks apart so collagen has time to build between visits. Your provider sets the final plan after looking at your scars, but here's a starting point.

Two questions come up in almost every consult about session count.

Why Isn't One Session Enough?

Each session starts a collagen-building process that takes weeks to mature and helps break up scar tissue over time rather than all at once, and the next session builds on that new layer. It works like strength training: one workout won't change much, but a steady routine adds up. 

Our guide on why three microneedling sessions work best walks through what each round does.

When Will You See a Difference?

Skin often looks brighter and smoother within a week or two as skin texture starts to improve. Shallow marks may start to soften around weeks three to four, and the clearest change shows between weeks six and 12. See how long microneedling results take for a week-by-week look.

Microneedling Acne Scars Before and After: What to Expect

Expect softer edges and shallower dents. Studies cited by the American Academy of Dermatology found acne scars faded by about 50% to 70% after three to five treatments, often paired with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Picture a boxcar scar on your cheek that casts a small shadow under overhead light. After a full series, its edges look softer and the shadow less obvious, even if you can still find it up close. Friends tend to notice smoother skin overall rather than any single spot.

To judge your microneedling acne scars before and after fairly, take photos with the same light and angle before your first session, then compare them at three months. Our microneedling before and after results guide shows what changes after each session.

Two follow-up questions shape what you can expect.

Can You Remove Acne Scars Completely?

No treatment erases existing acne scars 100%, which is why researchers point to early acne care as the best defense (Tan et al., 2017). The realistic goal is better overall appearance, with scars that are shallower, softer, and much harder to spot rather than completely erased.

Is PRP Worth Adding?

For many people, yes. PRP comes from a small sample of your own blood and is thin enough to go right into the channels microneedling creates. A review of the research found that pairing microneedling with PRP produced more scar improvement than microneedling alone (Juhasz & Cohen, 2020). 

We offer a PRP Microneedling Facial alongside standard microneedling with vitamin C, and PRP may boost healing and enhance overall results compared with microneedling alone.

Microneedling vs. Chemical Peel for Acne Scars: Which Is Better?

Microneedling is often the better pick for dented scars like rolling and boxcar scars when the goal is to improve skin texture. A chemical peel like the Vi Peel does more for flat dark marks, discoloration, and active breakouts. 

For many people, the best answer is both: a 2025 review of nine studies found that combining a peel with microneedling beats either treatment alone (Woźna et al., 2025).

If your skin has both dents and dark marks, the peel side of your plan deserves a closer look.

Vi Peel Acne Before and After

A typical Vi Peel acne before and after shows calmer skin and lighter dark marks after a series of three to four peels. Your skin flakes for a few days, then feels smoother within about seven to 10 days. Deep dents change less, which is where microneedling picks up the slack. Learn more about our Vi Peel and what a peel series involves.

Does Microneedling Hurt?

Most people describe it as mild discomfort rather than pain. With numbing cream, it feels like light scratching or a gentle vibration moving across your skin.

We apply a topical numbing cream 20 to 30 minutes before your session, which takes about 30 to 60 minutes in total. Bony spots like the forehead and jawline can feel more intense than the cheeks. Afterward, your skin may look flushed, like a mild sunburn, for a few days. You can go back to work the same day, but wait 24 hours before wearing makeup.

How Much Does Microneedling for Acne Scars Cost?

In Louisville, microneedling runs about $250 to $700 per session. A series of three often lands between $750 and $2,100 before package savings, and adding PRP raises the price. A few things shape your total:

• Number of sessions: deeper scars need more rounds, which is the biggest cost driver.
• Add-ons: PRP costs more than standard microneedling with vitamin C.
• Packages: our three-session packages cost less per visit than booking one at a time.

Acne scar treatment is cosmetic, so insurance doesn't cover it in most cases. Ask about our membership program, and we'll give you an exact quote once your scars are mapped.

Who Should Wait Before Microneedling?

Your provider may hold off on microneedling if you have:

• Active, inflamed, or pus-filled breakouts on the face in the treatment area
• A skin infection, cold sore, recent sunburn, or fresh tan
• A history of keloids or slow, poor healing
• Recent isotretinoin (Accutane) use

Active acne is the most common reason to wait, since needling through active inflammatory acne can worsen breakouts instead of helping them heal. Our Breakout Bootcamp pairs bi-weekly express HydraFacials, extractions, and light therapy to get breakouts under control first.

Microneedling for Acne Scars Near Me: Getting Started in Louisville

If you're searching for microneedling for acne scars near me, start with a one-on-one consultation. Your provider looks at your skin under angled light, sorts out which scars are rolling, boxcar, or ice pick, and builds a plan around what each type needs. 

That might be microneedling with vitamin C, PRP microneedling, a Vi Peel series, or a mix, with the goal of smoother skin, clearer skin, and a treatment plan matched to the scars you actually have. If a scar needs a surgical approach, we'll tell you so rather than book sessions that won't help.

You'll find us at 1220 E. Kentucky Street, where acne scar treatment in Louisville sits alongside our full aesthetics menu. Explore microneedling in Louisville, KY and schedule a consultation, or call 502-444-8100.

Microneedling for Acne Scars: FAQs

Quick answers to the questions we hear most about treating acne scars.

Is Microneedling Worth It for Acne Scars?

For rolling and boxcar scars, it's often worth it. The benefits can include smoother-looking skin and minimal downtime for many people. It's generally safe for many skin types, but the risk of hyperpigmentation should still be discussed during a consultation. If most of your scars are deep ice pick scars, you'll get more value pairing it with another treatment.

How Long Do Microneedling Results Last?

The length of results from a full series often depends on your skin, age, and how many maintenance sessions you keep up with, though they commonly last six to 12 months or longer because the collagen you build stays in place. Your skin keeps aging, though, so most people book one or two maintenance sessions a year.

Is Microneedling Safe for Darker Skin Tones?

In most cases, yes. Microneedling leaves the top layer of skin largely intact, so it is generally safe across many skin types and skin tones and carries a lower risk of dark spots than many lasers (Juhasz & Cohen, 2020). Temporary darkening can still happen, so careful sun protection before and after treatment, along with post-care products, helps lower that risk.

Can I Get Microneedling If I'm on Acne Medication?

True, it depends on the medication. Tell your provider about anything you use, especially isotretinoin or a prescription retinoid. You may need to pause a retinoid for a few days or wait a set period after isotretinoin before your first session (American Academy of Dermatology, n.d.).

References

American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Microneedling can fade scars, uneven skin tone, and more. https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/scars-stretch-marks/microneedling-fade-scars

DermNet. (n.d.). Acne scarring. https://pro.dermnetnz.org/topics/acne-scarring

Jacob, C. I., Dover, J. S., & Kaminer, M. S. (2001). Acne scarring: A classification system and review of treatment options. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 45(1), 109-117. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2001.113451

Juhasz, M. L. W., & Cohen, J. L. (2020). Microneedling for the treatment of scars: An update for clinicians. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 13, 997-1003. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S267192

Tan, J., Kang, S., & Leyden, J. (2017). Prevalence and risk factors of acne scarring among patients consulting dermatologists in the USA. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 16(2), 97-102. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28300850/

Woźna, J., Bałoniak, A., Stępka, J., Dańczak-Pazdrowska, A., Polańska, A., Mojs, E., & Żaba, R. (2025). Chemical peeling in combination with microneedling versus chemical peeling or microneedling monotherapy in the treatment of acne scars: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, 42(6), 527-536. https://doi.org/10.5114/ada.2025.154436