Can Microneedling cause temporary acne to form?

Thank you for your question about temporary acne after microneedling. The skin should be thoroughly cleansed before undergoing a microneedling procedure. However, patients may sometimes get little breakouts after microneedling because the needles on the device penetrate the skin constantly and can carry bacteria from one part of the face to another. For those who are acne prone, or have experienced this reaction in the past, doxycycline (an antibiotic) can be prescribed prophylactically. Also, aftercare is important. For example, you should sleep on a new, clean pillowcase the night of your procedure and you should not touch your face or apply any products on the face for 24 hours. This can clog the pores and lead to acne or pustules.

Temporary acne outbreaks from microneedling or laser treatments are caused by the inflammatory irritation of the sebaceous (oil) glands. This inflammation can stimulate an acneic outbreak, especially in those who have a history of cystic acne in the past. When consulting with your provider, be sure to mention if you do have a previous history so you may be pre-treated with doxycycline or other medication to reduce or prevent a cystic outbreak. 

Microneedling can be used to jumpstart the skin's natural healing process. The tiny needles puncture the skin to create micro-wounds. This may cause any underlying sebum to come to the surface, combined with dead skin cells. Professional-grade serums can be used in combination for maximum results. I suggest you seek out a board-certified dermatologist to discuss your best treatment options. Best, Dr. Emer

Yes, it is possible to develop some acne lesions after microneedling because it can cause irritation and inflammation to the hair follicle which causes acne. Microneedling should not be done over active acne lesions because it will open up the skin which will spread p. acne bacteria, causing more acne lesions to form.