Active Acne Microneedling Protocol

Microneedling & Active Acne Practitioner Protocol.

Does active acne automatically mean you can’t microneedle?

This protocol was created to explore one of the more nuanced areas of microneedling practice: the acne-prone client.

Rather than relying on blanket rules, it provides an evidence-informed framework for assessing the client, lesion, barrier and level of inflammation before deciding whether treatment may proceed, needs modification, should avoid a specific area or should be postponed altogether.

The protocol covers the current evidence, patient and lesion selection, pre-treatment assessment, technique, treating active lesions, clinical endpoints and safety, post-treatment aftercare, homecare and practitioner decision-making. 

Importantly, the resource does not present microneedling as an established first-line treatment for active acne. Evidence in this area remains limited and substantially smaller than the evidence supporting microneedling for atrophic acne scarring. 

You’ll learn to think beyond simply “acne = contraindication” and instead assess different presentations including comedones, papules, occasional pustules, significant inflammatory acne, nodules/cysts, compromised lesions and controlled acne with atrophic scarring. 

Inside you’ll find: evidence and limitations; patient and lesion selection; pre-treatment assessment; treatment technique considerations; lesion-by-lesion decision guidance; treatment endpoints and safety; aftercare; homecare / product guidance; and a practical practitioner decision tool.

Please note: this is an advanced educational resource for practitioners who are already appropriately trained in microneedling. It does not replace accredited microneedling training or manufacturer/device IFU, which should always take precedence.