Journal September 27, 2026 5 min read

How Microneedling Changes With Age

Microneedling is a mechanical skin-resurfacing procedure that creates controlled micro-injuries to stimulate collagen and elastin production. This page examines how the procedure's effects, healing response, and clinical

peptides-pro Editorial

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy or percutaneous collagen induction, is a minimally invasive procedure in which fine needles create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. The procedure is used in aesthetic medicine and dermatology for a range of indications, including scarring, pigmentation disorders, and skin rejuvenation. The mechanical injury triggers a wound-healing cascade that includes the release of growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which are involved in fibroblast activation and collagen deposition [6].

Microneedling is often combined with topical agents to enhance delivery across the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum presents a significant barrier to transdermal delivery, and microneedling systems such as the Turtle pin (0.5 mm) and MTS (1.5 mm) have been evaluated for their ability to enhance skin permeability [9].

Research Studies

Microneedling and Tranexamic Acid for Striae Rubra

A registered clinical trial is evaluating microneedling with topical tranexamic acid versus microneedling with placebo (normal saline) for the treatment of striae rubra [1]. In this split-design study, one side of the affected area receives topical tranexamic acid at a concentration of 100 mg/mL, followed by a microneedling session. The contralateral side receives 0.9% normal saline followed by microneedling performed in the same manner. Treatment sessions are conducted every three weeks, up to a maximum of five sessions [1]. Striae rubra are early, red stretch marks that may respond differently to treatment depending on the age of the lesion and the patient's age-related healing capacity.

Microneedling-Assisted Metformin, Tranexamic Acid, and Modified Kligman's Formula for Melasma

A randomized, parallel-group clinical trial is comparing microneedling-assisted topical metformin, topical tranexamic acid, and modified Kligman's formula with microneedling-assisted saline in adult women with melasma [2]. Eighty participants will be randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. The primary outcome is the change in Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score from baseline to the end of follow-up [2]. Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by brown or gray patches on sun-exposed areas of the face, and treatment outcomes are often unsatisfactory with recurrence being common [2]. The trial population is adult women, and age-related differences in melasma presentation and treatment response are not specified in the available evidence.

Microneedling and Polynucleotide-Based Therapies

Skin boosters are injectable and topical treatments designed to improve dermal quality and restore skin health. These products typically include hyaluronic acid formulations, biostimulatory agents, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), growth factors, and polynucleotides [3]. One category of interest includes polynucleotide-based therapies, most notably polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN). Derived from the DNA of salmon or trout, PDRN exhibits dual regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties. Mechanistically, it promotes tissue repair by supplying nucleotides essential for DNA synthesis [3]. The evidence does not specify how age affects the response to PDRN or other skin boosters when combined with microneedling.

Microneedling for Gingival Depigmentation

A split-mouth clinical trial is comparing gingival depigmentation using microneedling alone versus microneedling with glutathione gel [4]. The color of gingiva is an important determinant of smile esthetics, and gingival depigmentation has gained popularity among periodontal plastic surgical procedures [4]. This trial does not report age-specific outcomes in the available evidence.

Microneedling with Hyaluronic Acid in Thin Gingival Phenotype

A clinical trial is evaluating microneedling alone versus microneedling along with hyaluronic acid in thin gingival phenotype [5]. The periodontal phenotype has been defined as the combination of gingival phenotype and buccal bone plate thickness (bone morphotype). Gingival phenotype can be evaluated through a standard and reproducible way [5]. Gingival recession is usually observed in the presence of trauma and inflammation in individuals with thin phenotypes, whereas pocket formation has been reported in individuals with thick phenotypes [5]. Various soft tissue augmentation procedures include sub-epithelial connective tissue graft, free gingival graft, modified roll technique, and use of acellular dermal matrix. The drawbacks of these techniques include a second surgical site [5]. Age-related changes in gingival phenotype and healing response are not detailed in the available evidence.

Fractional Microneedling RF vs Intralesional Steroid in Hypertrophic Scars

A clinical trial is comparing the effect of fractional microneedling radiofrequency versus intralesional steroid injection with and without microneedling on tissue levels of PDGF and CTGF in hypertrophic scars [6]. This study focuses on molecular markers of fibrosis and scar formation. The evidence does not specify how age influences these outcomes.

Ex Vivo Evaluation of Skin Permeability Enhancement

An ex vivo study evaluated skin permeability enhancement using a cooling-assisted delivery device (TargetCool) in human-derived skin tissue models. The stratum corneum presents a significant barrier to transdermal delivery, and the device was developed to enhance skin penetration, with potential synergistic effects when combined with microneedling systems such as the Turtle pin (0.5 mm) and MTS (1.5 mm) [9]. This study was conducted in human-derived skin tissue models, not in living subjects, and age-related differences in permeability were not reported.

Reference-Only Findings on Skin Aging and Pigmentation

Additional published research provides context on skin aging and pigmentation but does not directly address microneedling. A multicenter clinical investigation evaluated temporally optimized antioxidant serums for daytime defense and nighttime repair, noting that sensitive skin affects up to 70% of the global population and is linked to oxidative stress, barrier dysfunction, and disrupted skin biorhythms [7]. Another review reported that post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory erythema are common sequelae of acne, particularly affecting individuals with skin of color, with up to 85% of patients with Fitzpatrick phototypes IV-VI developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation following inflammatory acne lesions [8]. These findings are relevant to understanding skin changes with age but do not constitute evidence about microneedling itself.

If You Are Reading This for Personal Health Reasons

The materials and devices described on this page are sold for laboratory research purposes only. We do not provide dosing, treatment protocols, or medical guidance. Anyone considering microneedling or any related compound for personal use should consult a licensed clinician.