Microneedling (percutaneous collagen induction therapy) is a new promising mini-invasive therapeutic procedure where small holes are created across the stratum corneum while keeping the epidermis partially intact.

The method is called microtraumatization which leads to an activation of the healing cascade and growth factors, which in turn activate cell proliferation in the wound and increase the synthesis/deposition of collagen (elastin complex with successive transformation of collagen III to collagen I) and neoangiogenesis which ultimately accelerates scar remodeling with minimal damage to the epidermis. This produces microchannels that increase skin permeability which greatly increases the efficacy of topical treatments applied after the procedure. Microneedling has been widely used for the treatment of skin alterations of different etiologies, like burns, acne scars, and other textural skin anomalies.

Numerous studies are currently examining its potential in focal diseases of inflammation, dyschromia, and photodamage. In the meantime, many clinical experiences show that microneedling appears to be a suitable micro-invasive treatment for the improvement of scar quality which has less risk of infection, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and scarring compared to other resurfacing modalities.