If you have spent years trying to cover acne scars with makeup, or if you avoid certain lighting because of your skin texture, we want you to hear something: you are not stuck with it. Microneedling is one of the most effective treatments available for acne scarring, and it is something we offer right here in Jackson, TN.
We see patients regularly who come in feeling discouraged about their skin and leave with a real, tangible plan that actually gets them somewhere. If that is where you are right now, this one is for you.
What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a treatment that uses a device with very fine needles to create tiny, controlled micro-injuries across the surface of the skin. Before that sounds alarming, hear us out, because those tiny injuries are completely intentional. They trigger your skin’s natural healing response, which includes a surge of new collagen and elastin production.
Collagen is the protein responsible for your skin’s firmness and smoothness. When acne damages the skin, it disrupts that collagen structure and leaves behind uneven texture, pitting, and discoloration. Microneedling essentially wakes that repair process back up and gives your skin the signal it needs to rebuild from the inside out.
The result, over a series of treatments, is visibly smoother texture, softer scarring, more even skin tone, and skin that genuinely looks and feels healthier.
Why Acne Scars Are So Hard to Treat on Your Own
To understand why microneedling works so well, it helps to understand why those scars are so stubborn in the first place.
When a pimple or cyst heals, the body rushes to repair the damaged tissue. Sometimes that repair happens beautifully and leaves no trace. But with deeper or more inflamed breakouts, collagen often lays down unevenly. That uneven collagen is what creates the depressed, pitted appearance we associate with acne scarring.
Topical products can make a real difference for surface-level pigmentation. But they cannot reach the deeper dermal layer where the structural damage actually lives. That is why even the most dedicated skincare routines often plateau when it comes to true acne scars. You need something that works at a deeper level.
What Types of Acne Scars Does Microneedling Treat?
Microneedling works best on atrophic scars, which are the depressed or pitted types. The three most common are:
- Ice pick scars: deep, narrow pits that look almost like small puncture marks in the skin
- Boxcar scars: wider depressions with sharply defined edges, often on the cheeks
- Rolling scars: shallow, wavy depressions that give the skin an uneven, undulating texture
Microneedling also does a great job on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is the dark or reddish marks that linger after breakouts heal. These are not true scars but they are just as frustrating to live with, and microneedling helps fade them by accelerating cell turnover and improving overall tone.
Raised or hypertrophic scars are a different situation and may need a different approach. If you are not sure what type of scarring you have, your provider will assess your skin carefully at your consultation and give you a straight answer.
What to Expect During Your Treatment
We want you to feel completely prepared before you come in, so here is a clear picture of what the experience looks like from start to finish.
Before your treatment: A topical numbing cream is applied about 30 to 45 minutes before we begin. By the time the treatment starts, most patients feel very little discomfort.
During your treatment: Your provider moves the microneedling device across the treatment area in a careful, methodical pattern. The sensation is often described as a light vibration or mild sandpaper feeling. Most patients are genuinely surprised by how manageable it is. A full-face treatment typically takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Right after: Your skin will look red and feel warm, similar to a sunburn. This is completely normal and is actually a good sign that your healing response has kicked in. Most patients feel comfortable heading home and resting for the evening.
The days following: Redness typically fades within 24 to 48 hours. Some mild dryness or light flaking is normal as your skin sheds and renews. You will receive specific aftercare instructions, including keeping your skin moisturized, avoiding active skincare ingredients for a few days, and wearing SPF every single day.
Your results: Microneedling works progressively. Most patients notice an improvement in texture and tone within the first two to four weeks, but the deeper collagen remodeling continues for months. A series of three to six treatments spaced four to six weeks apart gives most patients their best results.
Patience really pays off with microneedling. The collagen-building process takes time, but the results are real and they last.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
The honest answer is that it depends on the severity of your scarring and how your skin responds individually.
For mild acne scarring or post-inflammatory pigmentation, some patients see significant improvement in three sessions. For deeper or more widespread scarring, four to six treatments is more typical. Some patients continue with periodic maintenance sessions once they reach their goal to keep results looking their best.
Your provider will look at your skin, talk through your goals, and give you a realistic recommendation at your consultation. Nobody here will oversell you on sessions you do not need.
Can Microneedling Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Yes, and pairing treatments can meaningfully amplify your results. A few combinations worth knowing about:
Microneedling with PRF: Platelet-rich fibrin is made from a small sample of your own blood and applied to the skin during microneedling to supercharge the healing response. It is completely natural and significantly enhances results, especially for deeper scarring and overall skin quality.
Microneedling and chemical peels: Some patients benefit from alternating microneedling sessions with chemical peels to address texture and pigmentation from two different angles. Your provider can help you figure out the right cadence for your skin.
Microneedling and a solid skincare routine: The right products between sessions do matter. Good skincare will not replace treatment, but it absolutely extends and protects your results. Your provider can make specific product recommendations based on your skin type and goals.
Is Microneedling Right for Your Skin?
One of the things that makes microneedling such a beloved treatment is that it is safe and effective across most skin types and tones. Unlike some laser treatments that carry a higher risk of pigmentation changes in deeper skin tones, microneedling works through mechanical stimulation rather than heat, which makes it a more inclusive option for a wider range of patients.
That said, it is not the right fit for everyone. We recommend waiting until any active breakouts have calmed down before beginning microneedling, since treating active acne can spread bacteria and make things worse. If you are currently dealing with active acne, your provider can put together a plan that addresses that first and then moves into scar treatment once your skin is in a good place.
Patients who are pregnant, have certain skin conditions, or are on specific medications may also need to wait. Your provider will go through your health history at your consultation to make sure you are a good candidate before any treatment begins.
What About Cost and Savings?
Microneedling is priced per session, and the total investment depends on how many treatments your skin needs. Our Exclusive membership includes 20 percent off microneedling, which adds up to real savings over a full treatment series. If you are planning multiple sessions, it is worth asking about membership before you book your first appointment.
Ready to Do Something About It?
Acne scars do not have to be permanent. If they have been holding you back from feeling confident in your skin, there are real options available right here in Jackson, TN, and we would love to be part of your journey.
Come in, let us take a look, and we will put together a plan that is honest, realistic, and built around your skin specifically. Book your consultation here and we will take it from there.
And if you want to make your treatment series more affordable, our membership plans are a great place to start.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The collagen your skin produces during and after treatment is yours to keep. Results from a full series can last a year or more. Many patients choose to do one or two maintenance sessions annually to continue building on their progress.
Most patients find it very manageable thanks to the numbing cream applied beforehand. The sensation during treatment is typically described as a mild vibrating or scratching feeling. The intensity can also be adjusted based on your comfort level and your skin’s specific needs.
Some improvement in texture and tone is usually visible within two to four weeks after your first session. The deeper collagen remodeling continues for three to six months after each treatment, so results keep improving over time. Most patients see their most significant changes after completing a full series.
Yes. Microneedling is one of the most effective treatments for minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores. The collagen stimulation tightens and firms the skin around pore openings, making them look noticeably smaller over time. It is one of those bonus benefits patients tend to be really happy about.
Microneedling works by creating physical micro-channels in the skin to stimulate collagen from within, which makes it especially effective for textural scarring and deeper damage. Chemical peels work by dissolving the outer layers of skin to resurface and brighten. Both are effective for acne scars and post-inflammatory pigmentation, and many patients benefit from incorporating both into their treatment plan at different intervals.
Adding PRF to a microneedling treatment uses your body’s own growth factors to accelerate the healing and collagen-building process. The microneedling channels allow the PRF to absorb deeply into the skin, amplifying results compared to microneedling alone. It is a great option for patients dealing with more significant scarring or who want to get more out of each session.
Yes. Because microneedling works mechanically rather than through heat or light energy, it does not carry the same risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that some laser and energy-based treatments do. It is considered one of the safer resurfacing options for deeper skin tones, though your provider will always do a thorough skin assessment before recommending any treatment.
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