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Book

Microneedling

In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
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Book

Microneedling

Graham Litchman et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Microneedling is a form of therapy that utilizes instruments containing rows of thin needles that penetrate the dermis to a uniform depth, creating a controlled skin injury. This controlled skin injury induces rapid healing micropunctures with subsequent collagen and elastin fiber production stimulation, resulting in skin remodeling.

Microneedling was initially developed as a tool for skin rejuvenation. However, it is now being used for several indications, which include various forms of scars, alopecias, drug delivery, hyperhidrosis, stretch marks, and more. It is occasionally combined with radiofrequency energy delivery, which is thought to enhance dermal remodeling and clinical effects.

Microneedling is a commonly used procedure in dermatology. It is considered a safe and inexpensive alternative to other forms of skin rejuvenation that is well-tolerated with minimal downtime. Despite its common use and wide variety of indications, strong evidence for the efficacy of microneedling is not evident in the literature.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Graham Litchman declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Pragya Nair declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Talel Badri declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Steven Kelly declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

    1. Singh A, Yadav S. Microneedling: Advances and widening horizons. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016 Jul-Aug;7(4):244-54. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ryu HW, Kim SA, Jung HR, Ryoo YW, Lee KS, Cho JW. Clinical improvement of striae distensae in Korean patients using a combination of fractionated microneedle radiofrequency and fractional carbon dioxide laser. Dermatol Surg. 2013 Oct;39(10):1452-8. - PubMed
    1. Elghblawi E. Intense retroauricular lymphadenopathy post-microneedling. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019 Dec;18(6):2048-2049. - PubMed
    1. Caccavale S, Iocco A, Pieretti G, Alfano R, Argenziano G. Curettage + microneedling + topical ALA-PDT for the treatment of acral resistant warts: Our experience. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2019 Sep;27:276-279. - PubMed
    1. Dhurat R, Sharma A, Goren A, Daruwalla S, Situm M, Kovacevic M. Mission impossible: Dermal delivery of growth factors via microneedling. Dermatol Ther. 2019 May;32(3):e12897. - PubMed

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