Microneedling for Acne Scarring: What Works, What Doesn’t
Which scars respond, which don’t, how many sessions it really takes, and when polynucleotides or NeoGen do more.
By Dr Amber Halliday, MRCGP MBBS BSc (Hons) — GP & Aesthetics Doctor | Blue Bird Aesthetics, Worthing | Updated 2026
Acne scarring is one of the most rewarding things to treat, and one where managing expectations matters as much as the treatment itself. Microneedling is often the right starting point — but only if you understand what it can do, what it cannot, and how long real change takes.
Skin rebuilds on its own timetable, not ours. With scarring, the real change is months in the making, not weeks.
— Dr Amber Halliday
Who This Guide Is For
- Anyone with acne scarring considering microneedling.
- People who have tried products and want a treatment that works at depth.
- Those wondering how many sessions it really takes.
- Anyone with raised or keloid-type scars unsure if it is safe.
TL;DR — Key Takeaways
Short on time? Here’s the summary:
✓ Microneedling helps most types of acne scarring by stimulating collagen and skin turnover.
✓ Keloid scarring is the exception — more trauma can worsen it, and the same caution applies to NeoGen.
✓ A course of three, spaced around the skin’s 28-day cycle, is what creates real change.
✓ Results build over months; this is rejuvenation, not an instant fix.
✓ Thickened scarring often needs polynucleotides and NeoGen for deeper regeneration.
✓ It is a doctor-led treatment with clear contraindications — assessment comes first.
1. How microneedling helps scars
Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries that prompt the skin to remodel and rebuild collagen, gradually softening scar tissue and improving texture. It works with your skin’s own repair process rather than against it, which is why the results look natural and develop over time.
2. Which scars respond — and which don’t
To be honest, almost all acne scarring responds well to microneedling — with one important exception.
The one exception: keloid scarring
Keloid scars do not improve with microneedling, and crucially, further trauma to that kind of scar usually makes it worse. The same caution applies to NeoGen. This is exactly why a proper assessment of your scar type comes before any treatment.
3. How many sessions it really takes
For meaningful change, think in courses of three. The aim is to stimulate the skin at roughly its 28-day cycle, three times over, to meaningfully speed up how fast it turns over — nudging it back towards the four-week renewal cycle that younger, healthy, glowing skin has. That is what drives true rejuvenation of scar tissue.
Why three, and why spaced
Hitting the skin around its natural 28-day cycle, three times, retrains its turnover. One session feels like something is happening; three is what creates lasting change.
4. When to reach for more than microneedling
It depends on how thickened the scarring is. Microneedling does a great deal on its own, but for very thickened patches of acne scarring you really want polynucleotides in there as well, and ideally NeoGen, because that creates the deep, fast tissue regeneration those scars need.
5. What to expect, plainly
Expect gradual improvement rather than a transformation overnight. As with any collagen-based treatment, the best of each round shows around three months later, and a full course builds on itself. If anyone promises to “fix” acne scarring in a session, be cautious.
6. Who it is not for
I would not treat, or would delay, if:
- You have keloid or raised scar tendency in the area to be treated.
- There is active infection, inflammation or a breakout in the area.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You have certain medical conditions, which I assess individually.
With scarring, the kindest thing I can do is set honest expectations — real change, but earned over months, not promised overnight.
— Dr Amber Halliday
Frequently Asked Questions
Does microneedling work for acne scars?
Yes, for most types. It stimulates collagen and skin turnover, gradually softening scar tissue and improving texture over a course of treatments.
How many sessions will I need?
Usually a course of three, spaced around the skin’s 28-day cycle, to retrain how fast the skin renews itself.
Does it hurt, and is there downtime?
It is well tolerated with numbing, and downtime is usually short — redness for a day or two. I will give you tailored aftercare.
Which scars do not respond to microneedling?
Keloid scarring. Further trauma can worsen it, so it is not suitable — and the same caution applies to NeoGen.
Microneedling or NeoGen for scarring?
Microneedling suits most scarring. For very thickened scars, NeoGen and polynucleotides add the deeper regeneration needed.
How long until I see results?
Gradually, with the best of each round showing around three months later. A full course builds on itself.
Can microneedling make scarring worse?
Only with keloid-type scars, where extra trauma is counterproductive. This is why assessment of your scar type comes first.
Can I do microneedling at home?
Home rollers do not reach the depth needed for scarring safely, and carry infection risk. Scar treatment is best done professionally.
What about polynucleotides for scars?
For thickened scarring, polynucleotides support deeper regeneration and combine well with microneedling and NeoGen.
The Takeaway
Microneedling is a highly effective treatment for most acne scarring, as long as it is approached as a course and given time to work. The skill is in reading the scar type, knowing when keloid means stop, and knowing when to bring in polynucleotides and NeoGen for the deeper work.
Done patiently and properly, the results can be quietly transformative — and they look like your own skin, because they are.
If acne scarring is on your mind, a consultation is the place to assess it and plan a realistic course.
Ready to talk it through?
Book a calm, considered, commitment-free consultation in Worthing.
We’ll assess your scarring, rule out anything unsuitable, and plan a realistic course — with no pressure to proceed.
