Journal September 26, 2026 4 min read

What Does the Research Say About Microneedling?

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen and enhance topical delivery. This article reviews the current clinical research on its application

peptides-pro Editorial

Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy or percutaneous collagen induction, is a minimally invasive procedure that creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin using fine needles. These micro-injuries stimulate the body's natural wound healing cascade, leading to collagen and elastin production. The technique is also used to enhance the delivery of topical compounds by creating temporary microchannels in the stratum corneum. The research on microneedling spans dermatological and periodontal applications, with ongoing clinical trials investigating its efficacy and safety in various conditions.

The work centres on the wound healing response and the enhanced percutaneous absorption of topically applied agents, involving pathways such as growth factor signalling (e.g., PDGF, CTGF) and extracellular matrix remodelling.

Research Studies

Microneedling with Tranexamic Acid for Striae Rubra

A clinical trial is evaluating the effectiveness and safety of microneedling with topical tranexamic acid versus microneedling with placebo (normal saline) in the treatment of striae rubra [1]. The intervention side receives topical tranexamic acid at 100 mg/mL followed by microneedling, while the control side receives 0.9% normal saline followed by microneedling. Treatment sessions are conducted every three weeks, up to a maximum of five sessions [1].

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

A randomized, parallel-group clinical trial aims to compare the efficacy and safety of 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].

Microneedling for Gingival Depigmentation

A split-mouth clinical trial is comparing gingival depigmentation using microneedling alone versus microneedling with glutathione gel [4]. The study focuses on the colour of gingiva as an important determinant of smile aesthetics, and gingival depigmentation has gained popularity among periodontal plastic surgical procedures [4].

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 is defined as the combination of gingival phenotype and buccal bone plate thickness. 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 exist, but they have drawbacks including a second surgical site [5].

Fractional Microneedling RF vs Intralesional Steroid in Hypertrophic Scars

A study 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].

Microneedling and Topical Multivitamin Serum for Skin Health

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].

Ex Vivo Evaluation of Skin Permeability Enhancement

An ex vivo study evaluated skin permeability enhancement using TargetCool in human-derived skin tissue models. The stratum corneum presents a significant barrier to transdermal delivery. TargetCool is a cooling-assisted delivery device 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].

Antioxidant Serums for Daytime Defense and Nighttime Repair

A multicenter clinical investigation evaluated complementary day and night serums for sensitive skin. Sensitive skin affects up to 70% of the global population and is linked to oxidative stress, barrier dysfunction, and disrupted skin biorhythms. The skin's daytime defense and nighttime repair cycles provide rationale for temporally optimized formulations [7].

Practical Therapeutic Strategies for Acne-Induced Hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory erythema are common sequelae of acne, particularly affecting individuals with skin of color. Up to 85% of patients with Fitzpatrick phototypes IV-VI develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation following inflammatory acne lesions [8].

If you are reading this for personal health reasons

The materials and procedures discussed here are intended for laboratory research and clinical investigation only. We do not provide dosing, medical guidance, or treatment recommendations. Anyone considering microneedling or any associated compound for personal use should consult a licensed clinician.