Skin & Aesthetics · Acne scars
Microneedling for Acne Scars: Classic Collagen Induction in Seoul
Microneedling for acne scars is a treatment in which a doctor uses a pen fitted with fine sterile needles to make thousands of tiny, controlled channels in the skin, triggering healing that builds new collagen and gradually softens depressed scars. At Hommage Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, Dr. Hwang Seonhwa maps your scar types first and explains whether classic microneedling, RF microneedling or a combination suits you.
Quick answer
Microneedling for acne scars is a series of in-clinic treatments in which a motorized pen with fine sterile needles makes thousands of tiny channels in the skin, prompting new collagen that gradually softens depressed scars. At Hommage Women's Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, Dr. Hwang Seonhwa maps your scars first. Most people need 3–6 sessions about 4–6 weeks apart, with 1–3 days of redness after each, and results build for 3–6 months.
Key takeaways
- Works best on rolling and shallow boxcar scars; narrow ice pick scars usually need TCA CROSS as well.
- No heat is used, so the risk of pigment change is lower than with ablative lasers, which matters for darker or sensitive skin.
- Scars are improved, not erased. Most plans combine needling with subcision, TCA CROSS, PRP or RF microneedling.
- Active acne is treated first, because new breakouts can leave new scars.
Infographic
Microneedling for acne scars in numbers
Needling time
Full face, after 30–45 minutes of numbing cream.
Sessions
Typical series for acne scars, depending on scar type and depth.
Between sessions
Time for the skin to heal and lay down new collagen.
Redness
Like a mild sunburn; makeup usually after 24–48 hours.
Depth over scars
Typical needle depth on scarred cheeks; shallower on thin skin.
Results build
Collagen keeps remodeling after the last session.
Microneedling for acne scars at a glance
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Treatment time | About 20–30 minutes of needling, after 30–45 minutes of numbing cream |
| Comfort | Topical numbing cream; most people feel pressure, vibration and light scratching |
| Sessions | Typically 3–6 sessions, about 4–6 weeks apart |
| Downtime | Redness and mild swelling for 1–3 days; makeup usually after 24–48 hours |
| Results visible | Gradually, from about 6 weeks, building for 3–6 months after the last session |
| How long results last | Scar improvement is long-lasting; skin still ages, so some choose maintenance |
| Performed by | Dr. Hwang Seonhwa or another Hommage Clinic physician |
Microneedling may suit you if you have
- Shallow rolling scars or soft, shallow boxcar scars
- Uneven texture or enlarged pores alongside mild scarring
- Darker or sensitive skin that needs a lower risk of pigment change than ablative laser
- A preference for a gentle option with short downtime
Wait or discuss another option if you have
- Active breakouts, cold sores or a skin infection in the area
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding (cosmetic treatment is usually postponed)
- A tendency to keloids, a bleeding disorder or blood-thinning medication
- Taken isotretinoin recently (timing is decided with your doctor)
How does microneedling improve acne scars?
Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, uses a sterile cartridge of very fine needles to create thousands of tiny channels in the skin. Each channel is a controlled micro-injury that starts the skin's normal wound-healing response, so new collagen and elastin are laid down over the following months.
For acne scars, the needles usually reach the upper to mid dermis, where scar tissue sits. Typical depths on the face are about 1.5–2 mm over scarred cheeks and shallower over thin skin such as the forehead. The new collagen gradually lifts and softens depressed scars and refines the texture around them. Because no heat is used and the skin between the channels stays intact, the risk of pigment change is lower than with ablative lasers.
This page covers classic, mechanical microneedling done in the clinic with a motorized pen. It is different from RF microneedling , which adds radiofrequency heat through the needles, and from home rollers, which use much shorter needles and are not designed to treat scars.
Which acne scars respond to microneedling?
Microneedling is most effective on broad, shallow scars with soft edges and less effective on narrow, deep ones. The type of scar you have matters more than how many you have.
- Rolling scars (wide, wave-like dips): often respond well, especially once the bands pulling them down are released. See rolling scar treatment .
- Shallow boxcar scars (round or oval with defined edges): moderate improvement over a series; deeper ones need more. See boxcar scar treatment .
- Ice pick scars (narrow and deep): limited response on their own, so TCA CROSS is usually added.
- Raised (hypertrophic) scars and keloids : not treated with microneedling; they need a different approach.
Flat red or brown marks left after a breakout are not true scars. They usually fade with time, sun protection and redness or pigment treatment rather than needling.
Microneedling vs RF microneedling: which is right for you?
Both treatments create micro-channels to stimulate collagen. RF microneedling also releases radiofrequency heat at the needle tips, which adds tightening and a stronger remodeling effect per session.
- Classic microneedling suits shallow scars, texture and pores, sensitive or darker skin, and people who want the gentlest option. It may need more sessions.
- RF microneedling for scars suits moderate rolling and boxcar scars and skin that also needs firming. Downtime is similar, but it can feel warmer. Gold RF microneedling uses insulated, gold-plated needles that largely spare the surface.
Most people with acne scars have more than one scar type, so microneedling is usually one part of a combined plan. Tethered scars may first need subcision , and some people add PRP , which some studies suggest can modestly improve results and recovery.
What happens during a microneedling session?
A visit usually takes about an hour including numbing time, and the needling itself takes around 20–30 minutes for the full face.
- Your skin is cleansed, and a topical anesthetic cream is applied for about 30–45 minutes.
- The skin is disinfected, and a single-use sterile needle cartridge is fitted to the pen.
- The physician passes the pen over each area in several directions, setting the depth zone by zone and concentrating on the scars.
- Pinpoint bleeding is cleaned away, and soothing products and cooling are applied.
Most people feel pressure, vibration and light scratching, with more sensitivity over bony areas such as the temples and jawline.
How long does microneedling take to work?
Microneedling improves scars gradually, not overnight. Collagen builds over weeks to months, so most people notice smoother texture from about 6 weeks after the first session, with progress continuing for 3–6 months after the last.
For acne scars, a series of 3–6 sessions about 4–6 weeks apart is typical. Scars become shallower and less noticeable, but they are improved rather than erased, and the amount of change depends on scar type, depth and how your skin heals.
Recovery is short. Expect redness like a mild sunburn and slight swelling for 1–3 days, then dryness or light flaking. For the first few days:
- Use only the gentle cleanser and moisturizer you are advised to use.
- Wait 24–48 hours before makeup, and pause retinoids and exfoliating acids for about 3–5 days.
- Avoid saunas, swimming pools and hard workouts for 1–2 days.
- Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily and avoid strong sun for several weeks.
Risks and possible side effects
Microneedling is well established and generally well tolerated, but it is still a medical procedure. Dr. Hwang will go through these risks with you before you consent:
- Redness, swelling and pinpoint bleeding : expected and usually short-lived.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation : temporary darkening, more likely in darker skin or with sun exposure.
- Acne flares or milia (tiny white bumps) in the weeks after treatment.
- Infection or cold sore reactivation : an antiviral may be advised if you get cold sores.
- Skin reactions to products applied to freshly treated skin, which is why only sterile, suitable products are used.
- Rarely, track-like marks or scarring if the depth or technique is unsuitable.
Call the clinic if redness or pain is getting worse after the third day, or if you notice pus, yellow crusts, clusters of small blisters or a fever.
Microneedling for acne scars at Hommage Clinic
Hommage Clinic is a women's health and skin clinic in Gangnam, a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station. Your scars are examined under angled light and mapped by type before a treatment is chosen, and the physician sets the needle depth for each area. If new breakouts are still appearing, they are treated first, for example withacne laser treatmentor medication, because active acne can leave new scars. Hormone-related acne can be assessed by our OB/GYN team under the same roof, and you can browse our otherskin and aesthetic treatmentsfor related options.
Cost depends on the number of sessions, the area treated and whether other treatments are combined. Cosmetic scar treatment is not covered by Korea's National Health Insurance, although many medical tests and treatments are for enrolled patients. You receive a written quote before treatment, and walk-ins are welcome during opening hours.
Mechanism
How microneedling works on acne scars, step by step
An atrophic acne scar is a dip in the skin where inflammation destroyed collagen during a breakout. The base of the scar is often stiff, and in rolling scars fibrous bands pull the surface down. Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, does not remove the scar. Instead, it restarts the repair process the skin skipped: thousands of tiny, evenly spaced channels signal the dermis to lay down fresh collagen, which slowly fills the dip from below.
Reviews describe the new collagen as immature type III collagen at first, which matures into firmer type I collagen over weeks to months. That is why results build gradually and why sessions are spaced several weeks apart: each session adds to the remodeling started by the last.
Scar map
Microneedling results by acne scar type
Most faces with acne scars have a mix of types, and each type responds differently. Before your first session, Dr. Hwang Seonhwa examines your skin under angled light and marks which scars are rolling, boxcar or ice pick, and whether any are tethered to deeper tissue. The plan is then built around the scars that need the most help, rather than one setting for the whole face.
The cards below show how each scar type usually responds and what is commonly added. They describe typical patterns from published reviews and clinical experience; your own response depends on scar depth, skin thickness and how your skin heals.
Rolling scars
Wide, wave-like dips. Often improve well, especially after subcision releases the bands pulling them down.
Shallow boxcar
Round or oval with defined edges. Soften over a series; deeper ones may need RF microneedling or other methods.
Ice pick scars
Narrow and deep. Usually need TCA CROSS first, with needling for the surrounding texture.
Raised scars and keloids
Hypertrophic scars and keloids need a different approach, such as injections, and are not needled.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Every plan starts with a scar map under angled light. Illustrative photo.
Compare
Microneedling vs RF microneedling vs fractional laser for acne scars
These three treatments are the ones most often compared for atrophic acne scars. All of them create controlled micro-injuries to trigger collagen remodeling; they differ in whether heat is used and how much of the skin surface is disrupted. More heat and surface damage can mean a stronger effect per session, but also more downtime and, in darker skin types, a higher chance of temporary darkening.
Head-to-head studies are few and mostly small. A 2021 study of 50 patients with skin types III–V found fractional CO2 laser and RF microneedling similarly effective, but pigment changes at two months only in the laser group (16% vs 0%). A 2026 meta-analysis of eight randomized trials favored CO2 laser for efficacy, with more pain and more post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Classic microneedling is the gentlest of the three and is often chosen for shallow scars or skin prone to pigment change.
| Compare | Microneedling | RF microneedling | Fractional CO2 laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Shallow rolling and boxcar scars, texture, pores | Moderate rolling and boxcar scars, skin that also needs firming | Deeper or widespread scars where more downtime is acceptable |
| Typical redness | 1–3 days | A few days (about 3–4 days of redness and swelling in one study) | Crusting for up to about 12 days in the same study |
| Pigment change in darker skin | Lower risk; no heat | 0% at 2 months in one 50-patient study | 16% at 2 months in the same study |
| Learn more | This page | RF microneedling for scars | Fractional laser for acne scars |
Timeline
Microneedling sessions and results timeline for acne scars
A course of microneedling for acne scars is usually planned over several months. Each session is a short visit, but the collagen it triggers keeps forming for weeks afterward, so the full effect of a series is judged three to six months after the last session. Photos taken in the same light at each visit make gradual change easier to see.
The illustration shows a typical four-session plan. Some people with shallow scars stop after three sessions; mixed or deeper scars may need six, or a switch to a combined approach part way through.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
A motorized pen with a single-use sterile cartridge is set to a different depth for each area. Illustrative photo.
Combined plans
Microneedling with PRP, subcision or TCA CROSS
Because most people have more than one scar type, microneedling is rarely the whole plan. It works on the broad texture of the scarred area, while targeted methods deal with the scars it cannot reach well on its own. Combining them in the right order usually gives more change than repeating any single method.
- With PRP: platelet-rich plasma from your own blood is applied to or injected into the needled skin. A 2022 meta-analysis of 14 controlled studies found that adding PRP roughly tripled the odds of more than 50% improvement compared with needling without PRP, without a clear rise in severe redness or swelling, though most studies were small. See PRP.
- With subcision: a fine needle releases the fibrous bands that tether rolling scars, usually a few weeks before needling. See subcision for acne scars.
- With TCA CROSS: a tiny amount of concentrated acid is placed into ice pick scars to raise them from the base, and needling then refines the surrounding skin. See TCA CROSS.
- Switching to RF: if scars are moderate or the skin is also lax, RF microneedling may be used for some sessions instead.
Dr. Hwang Seonhwa explains the order and spacing of each step at your consultation, so you know in advance how many visits a combined plan needs.
Aftercare
Microneedling aftercare: do's and don'ts
The tiny channels close within a day or two, but the skin stays more reactive for about a week. Gentle care and strict sun protection lower the chance of irritation, breakouts and temporary darkening, which is the side effect people with darker or Asian skin types most want to avoid. You receive written instructions before you leave, and you can send the clinic a photo if anything looks unexpected.
Do
- Use only the gentle cleanser and moisturizer you were advised
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day, and reapply outdoors
- Sleep on a clean pillowcase for the first nights
- Use clean brushes or sponges when you restart makeup
- Message the clinic if redness is getting worse after day 3
Don't
- Wear makeup for the first 24–48 hours
- Use retinoids or exfoliating acids for about 3–5 days
- Go to saunas, pools or hard workouts for 1–2 days
- Pick or scrub any dry, flaking skin
- Sunbathe or tan in the weeks after a session
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Daily sunscreen is the single most important aftercare step. Illustrative photo.
Evidence
Does microneedling work for acne scars? What the research says
Microneedling has been studied widely for acne scars, and reviews consistently find it helpful and well tolerated. The quality of that evidence is moderate at best: many studies are small, use split-face designs, measure results with different scales and follow patients for months rather than years. The figures below are what the larger reviews report, not a promise of how your own scars will respond.
Studies reviewed
1,845 patients; acne scars were the most studied use (43 studies). No serious adverse events were reported.
Juhasz & Cohen, Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 2020Patients satisfied
Range of satisfaction across studies of microneedling and RF microneedling for scars.
Juhasz & Cohen, 2020Adding PRP
Higher odds of more than 50% improvement with microneedling plus PRP; 14 studies, 472 patients.
Kang & Lu, Front Med, 2022Pigment change at 2 months
RF microneedling vs fractional CO2 laser in 50 patients with skin types III–V.
Rajput et al., J Cutan Aesthet Surg, 2021Traveling to Seoul
Microneedling for acne scars in Seoul for international patients
Because acne scars need a series of sessions 4–6 weeks apart, a single short trip usually allows only one session. Visitors tend to choose one of two plans: one session per trip over several visits to Seoul, or a longer stay of two to three months for a full series. If you can only come once, ask whether a combined session (for example with subcision or TCA CROSS) makes better use of your visit.
Before you book
- Send clear photos of your scars in daylight and your preferred dates by WhatsApp, KakaoTalk or the contact form.
- Tell us about isotretinoin, blood thinners, cold sores or keloid scarring before your visit.
- Bring your passport, a list of your medicines and any notes from previous scar treatments.
- Allow 1–2 days of visible redness before important meetings or photos.
After you fly home
Flying the day after a session is generally fine. Keep up sunscreen and gentle skincare, and message the clinic with photos if you notice increasing redness, crusting or blisters.
Hommage · Seoul
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Gangnam: the clinic is a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station. Illustrative photo.
Hommage · Gangnam
Hommage Women's Clinic · Gangnam, Seoul
Single-use sterile cartridges and a physician-led plan are worth asking about. Illustrative photo.
Choosing well
How to choose a clinic for microneedling in Seoul
Microneedling looks simple, but depth, technique and hygiene decide whether it helps or causes problems. Use these questions at any consultation, including ours:
- Does a physician assess and type my scars? Rolling, boxcar and ice pick scars need different plans.
- Who performs the needling and sets the depth? Depth should change by area, not stay at one setting.
- Are cartridges single-use and sterile? Reused or home-style devices raise the risk of infection.
- Will they treat active acne first? Needling over active breakouts is not advised.
- Do they explain realistic results? Improvement, not erasure, is the honest goal.
- Is there a written plan and aftercare guide? You should know the number of sessions and add-ons up front.
What affects the cost of microneedling for acne scars?
The total depends mainly on how many sessions your scars need, the size of the area treated, and whether PRP, subcision, TCA CROSS or RF sessions are added to the plan. Numbing, aftercare products and follow-up reviews are explained in your quote. Cosmetic scar treatment is not covered by Korea's National Health Insurance, and you receive a written quote before you start.
Your visit
What to expect at your microneedling appointment
01
Scar assessment
The physician examines your skin under angled light, maps rolling, boxcar and ice pick scars, and checks for active acne.
02
Your plan
You agree on the number of sessions and any combined treatments, and receive a written quote before starting.
03
Treatment
After numbing cream, the face is needled at depths set for each area, then soothed and cooled.
04
Follow-up
Sessions are usually repeated every 4–6 weeks, with progress reviewed and the plan adjusted each time.
Your doctor
Dr. Hwang Seonhwa
Physician · Skin & Aesthetic Treatments
Dr. Hwang plans microneedling around a scar map, matching needle depth to each area and scar type rather than treating the whole face at one setting. Where scars are deep or tethered, Dr. Hwang combines microneedling with targeted methods such as subcision or TCA CROSS.
Physician for face and skin procedures, including lifting, laser and skin-improvement treatments, planned around facial proportions and skin condition.
Microneedling for acne scars: frequently asked questions
Does microneedling really work for acne scars?
Yes, for the right scar types. Studies show microneedling can make rolling and shallow boxcar scars noticeably shallower over a series of sessions by stimulating new collagen. It works less well for narrow ice pick scars, which usually need TCA CROSS, and it improves scars rather than removing them completely. A scar assessment tells you how much change is realistic for your skin.
How many microneedling sessions do I need for acne scars?
Most people need 3–6 sessions spaced about 4–6 weeks apart. Mild, shallow scars may need fewer, while deeper or mixed scars usually need more sessions or a combination with subcision, TCA CROSS or RF microneedling. Your progress is reviewed before each session and the plan is adjusted as your skin responds.
Does microneedling hurt?
Most people find it tolerable with numbing cream. You feel pressure, vibration and a light scratching sensation, which is more noticeable over bony areas such as the forehead, temples and jawline. Afterward the skin may sting or feel warm for a few hours, similar to a mild sunburn.
Can I wear makeup after microneedling?
Wait 24–48 hours before applying makeup. The tiny channels in your skin stay open for a short time, and makeup applied too early can irritate the skin or raise the risk of infection. After that, use clean brushes or sponges and gentle, non-comedogenic products, and keep applying sunscreen daily.
Can I have microneedling after isotretinoin (Accutane)?
Tell your doctor if you have taken isotretinoin in the past year. Many clinicians traditionally waited 6–12 months after stopping before scar procedures, while newer expert guidance suggests some gentler treatments may be reasonable sooner. Dr. Hwang decides the timing based on when you stopped, how your skin looks and how deep the planned treatment is.
Is microneedling safe for darker skin?
Microneedling is generally considered suitable for darker skin because it uses no heat and leaves the surface between channels intact, which lowers the risk of pigment change compared with ablative lasers. Temporary darkening can still happen, so depth is adjusted, daily sun protection is essential and skin preparation may be recommended beforehand.
Can foreigners get microneedling in Seoul?
Yes. International patients and foreign residents can book microneedling at Hommage Clinic; bring your passport for registration. Because a series of sessions about 4–6 weeks apart is usually needed, plan your stay or return visits with that in mind. Please contact us before your visit to arrange language support.
How long does microneedling take to show results on acne scars?
Many people notice smoother texture from about 6 weeks after the first session, because new collagen takes weeks to form. Results keep building for 3–6 months after the last session of a series, so the final effect is judged at a review a few months after treatment ends.
Is microneedling or RF microneedling better for acne scars?
Neither is best for everyone. Classic microneedling uses no heat and suits shallow scars, texture and skin prone to pigment change. RF microneedling adds heat at the needle tips for a stronger remodeling effect on moderate rolling and boxcar scars. Dr. Hwang recommends one, or a mix, after mapping your scars.
Does adding PRP to microneedling help acne scars?
It may. A 2022 meta-analysis of 14 controlled studies found higher odds of more than 50% improvement and higher satisfaction when PRP was added to microneedling, without a clear increase in severe redness or swelling. Most studies were small, so the benefit is modest and not guaranteed.
Can microneedling make acne scars worse?
It is uncommon when done by a trained physician with sterile, single-use needles. Possible problems include temporary darkening, breakouts, infection and, rarely, track-like marks if the depth or technique is wrong. Treating active acne first, adjusting depth by area and strict sun protection lower these risks.
Is home dermarolling the same as clinic microneedling?
No. Home rollers use much shorter needles and are not designed to reach the depth where acne scars sit. Using longer needles at home raises the risk of infection, irritation and scarring. Clinic treatment uses a sterile cartridge, depth set by a physician and medical aftercare.
Can I get microneedling while I still have active acne?
Needling over active, inflamed breakouts is not advised because it can spread bacteria and worsen inflammation. Active acne is usually treated first, for example with medication or acne laser treatment, and scar treatment starts once breakouts are under control.
References
Sources used for this page, reviewed by Dr. Hwang Seonhwa. Read our editorial and medical review policy.
- Juhasz MLW, Cohen JL. Microneedling for the treatment of scars: an update for clinicians. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:997–1003. Full text
- Kang C, Lu D. Combined effect of microneedling and platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of acne scars: a meta-analysis. Front Med. 2022;8:788754. Full text
- Rajput CD, Gore SB, Ansari MK, Shah SM. A prospective, nonrandomized, open-label study comparing the efficacy, safety and tolerability of fractional CO2 laser versus fractional microneedling radiofrequency in acne scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2021;14(2):177–183. PMC
- Argobi Y, et al. Fractional CO2 laser versus microneedling radiofrequency for post-acne scarring: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026. doi:10.1111/jocd.70765.
This page is general information and does not replace a personal consultation. Illustrations are original works of Hommage Women's Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul; photos marked illustrative are not of patients.
Related acne scar treatments
RF Microneedling for Scars
Needling plus radiofrequency heat for moderate rolling and boxcar scars that need more remodeling.
Subcision for Acne Scars
Releases the fibrous bands that pull rolling scars down, often done before needling.
TCA CROSS Treatment
A precise acid technique that raises narrow, deep ice pick scars from the base.
Rolling Scar Treatment
How wide, wave-like acne scars form and which combination of methods suits them.
PRP
Platelet-rich plasma from your own blood, sometimes combined with needling to support recovery.
Skin Care for Hormonal Changes
How hormones from PCOS, pregnancy or the pill affect acne, and how to address the cause.
Find out whether microneedling suits your scars
Book an appointment with Dr. Hwang Seonhwa in Gangnam for a scar assessment and a written plan before you commit to a series.
Hommage Clinic · 4F, Building A, 509 Gangnam-daero, Seoul (near Sinnonhyeon Station) · Mon & Fri 10:00–20:00 · Tue–Thu 10:00–19:00 · Sat 10:00–15:00