Microneedling and Topical Retinyl Palmitate for Acne Scars: A Preliminary Split-Face Study with Placebo Control

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Aesthetic Medicine
• Skin Rejuvenation

Background:

• Acne scars are a prevalent dermatological concern, posing treatment challenges.
• Synergistic, complex treatment modalities are sought for improved outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of microneedling combined with 5% retinyl palmitate-loaded oleogel for atrophic acne scars.
• To compare the combined treatment against microneedling with placebo.

Main Methods:

• A split-face study involving three female patients with 106 atrophic acne scars.
• Three monthly microneedling sessions were administered, comparing active oleogel versus placebo.
• Patient-reported outcomes included quality of life (DLQI, Skindex-29), satisfaction, and symptom intensity.

Main Results:

• Clinically, modest atrophic acne scar reduction was observed.
• Patients reported moderate-to-marked improvement in scar reduction and skin quality (moisture, elasticity, tone).
• No significant differences in scar reduction or skin quality were found between the active and placebo sides; good tolerability and satisfaction were noted.

Conclusions:

• Microneedling is a valuable treatment for acne scarring.
• Combining microneedling with 5% retinyl palmitate-loaded oleogel offers modest benefits with good tolerability and patient satisfaction after three procedures.