Exploratory Prospective Assessment of Instrumental Skin Changes and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Microneedling of...

Objectives: Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure intended to improve skin quality through controlled mechanical stimulation of the dermis; however, objective data on its effects remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate regional changes in skin hydration and firmness after a series of microneedling treatments of the neck and décolleté using corneometry, indentometry, and patient-reported outcomes. Methods: The study included 30 female patients who underwent three microneedling sessions performed at 4-week intervals. Instrumental measurements (corneometry and indentometry) and photographic documentation were obtained before treatment initiation and 4 weeks after completion of the treatment series. Statistical analysis included linear mixed models (LMMs), Spearman's rank correlation, and Friedman's test for repeated measurements. Results: Microneedling produced heterogeneous responses depending on anatomical location. In corneometry analyses excluding the control point, a significant increase in hydration was observed only at point 4, while no significant changes were detected at the remaining treatment sites. Similarly, indentometry demonstrated a localized improvement in firmness exclusively at point 4, reflected by decreased indentation values after treatment. In models including the control point, no generalized time effect was observed for either corneometry or indentometry; however, significant effects of anatomical location and location-by-time interactions persisted, indicating site-dependent variability in treatment response. Age was not associated with global treatment outcomes; however, a significant age-by-location interaction was identified for indentometry. No significant correlations were found between objective instrumental measurements and subjective assessments of hydration or firmness, despite most participants reporting perceived clinical improvement. Additionally, the depth at which pinpoint bleeding occurred increased significantly across subsequent treatment sessions. Conclusions: Microneedling of the neck and décolleté resulted in localized rather than generalized instrumental skin changes, with treatment response strongly influenced by anatomical location. Objective measurements did not correlate with patient-reported improvement, highlighting the complexity of assessing esthetic treatment outcomes. However, the results should be treated cautiously due to the exploratory nature of this study.