Listen or watch on your favorite platforms
Show Notes
On today’s episode, we’re diving into a pilot study out of Stanford University that asks A compelling question: can BBL or broadband light actually rejuvenate skin on a molecular level? We’ll unpack how researchers used advanced sequencing techniques to evaluate changes in gene expression to understand what happens to healthy skin cells as they begin to resemble a more youthful state, and how this research may or may not impact clinical relevance.
Episode participants:
Radiance Wellness | radiance.well
Megan Ucich | the.skin.practitioner
Aayesha Patel | aaestheticsbyaayesha
Sarah Pertschuk | beautyinjectorsarah
Downloads:
- Radiance Wellness one-pager: Download Here
- Article review: Split-face Comparative Study of Efficacy of Platelet-rich Plasma Combined with Microneedling versus Microneedling alone in Treatment of Post-acne Scars
Why This Study Matters
Acne is often dismissed as a teenage rite of passage—but for many patients, its impact is anything but fleeting. Acne scars can persist for decades, affecting selfesteem, confidence, and quality of life during some of the most formative years.
In this episode of AP Class, we explore a splitface comparative study that asks an important clinical question:
Does combining plateletrich plasma (PRP) with microneedling offer meaningful benefits over microneedling alone for postacne scarring?
This matters because microneedling is already a cornerstone treatment in aesthetics. If PRP truly enhances outcomes, it could justify added cost, time, and complexity—or challenge us to rethink how we recommend combination therapies.
Acne Scarring: More Than a Skin Issue
Before diving into the study, it’s important to acknowledge what acne scars represent clinically.
Acne vulgaris isn’t only an inflammatory skin condition—it carries a significant psychological burden. Adolescents and young adults with acne and acne scarring experience higher rates of:
- Depression
- Social withdrawal
- Decreased selfesteem
- Lower overall quality of life
Many patients report that while dermatologic treatment focuses on controlling active acne, little attention is paid to the aftermath—leaving scars that linger long after breakouts resolve.
Clinically, acne scarring is also graded by severity, typically from Grade I to Grade IV. Grade I represents mild, primarily macular changes, while Grades II–IV reflect increasing levels of atrophic or hypertrophic scarring that can be more difficult to treat and often require procedural intervention eg: box scars, ice pick scars and rolling scars.
This is where aesthetic medicine plays a critical role.
Why Microneedling Works for Acne Scars
Microneedling has become a goto treatment for postacne scarring because it addresses the root problem: disorganized, damaged collagen in the dermis.
Key mechanisms include:
- Controlled dermal injury
- Stimulation of fibroblasts
- Neocollagenesis and elastin production
- Remodeling of fibrotic scar tissue
Microneedling is also broadly accessible, costeffective, and well tolerated across multiple skin types when performed correctly—making it a foundational scar treatment.
But the question remains…
Can we do better by adding PRP?
PRP: Theoretical Benefits in Scar Remodeling
Plateletrich plasma is an autologous concentration of platelets that releases intrinsic growth factors such as:
- PDGF (plateletderived growth factor)
- VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)
- TGFβ (transforming growth factor beta)
In theory, PRP may:
- Enhance wound healing
- Accelerate collagen synthesis
- Improve angiogenesis
- Reduce inflammation
When paired with microneedling—which creates thousands of microchannels—PRP may penetrate deeper and amplify regenerative signaling.
But theory alone isn’t enough.
The Study at a Glance
This was a splitface comparative study designed to evaluate realworld clinical efficacy rather than isolated biological mechanisms.
Intervention
- One side of the face: Microneedling alone
- Opposite side: Microneedling + PRP
Population
- Patients with postacne scarring only. No active acne patients included in the study
- Included acne scar grades II, III, and IV, which consist of box scars, ice pick scars and rolling scars.
- Included Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV
- No significant exclusion based on gender or age once acne scarring was established
Outcome Measures
- Improvement in acne scar severity
- Global aesthetic improvement
- Safety profile, including postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
What They Found
Both Sides Improved
First—and importantly—microneedling alone was effective. This reinforces what most providers already see in clinical practice: microneedling works.
PRP Offered Incremental Benefit
The microneedling + PRP side showed:
- Greater overall improvement in scar appearance
- Faster visible recovery
- Improved patientreported satisfaction
However, the differences were incremental rather than dramatic—suggesting PRP is an enhancer, not a replacement or necessity.
Safety Outcomes Were Reassuring
- Minimal adverse events
- Low incidence of PIH, even in darker skin types
- No longterm complications noted
This is particularly relevant when treating acne scarring in skin of color, where safety often drives treatment selection.
Clinical Takeaways for Practice
Microneedling Remains the Foundation
This study reinforces that microneedling alone remains a highly effective firstline treatment for acne scarring.
PRP Can Enhance—but Isn’t Mandatory
PRP may be best positioned for:
- Patients seeking maximal improvement
- More severe or treatmentresistant scars
- Patients comfortable with added cost and complexity
Patient Counseling Is Key
PRP should be framed as:
- A potential adjunct, not a requirement
- A tool to enhance healing, not a guaranteed multiplier
- A shared decision based on goals, budget, and expectations
Limitations to Keep in Mind
No study is without constraints.
- Sample size was limited
- Results may vary based on PRP preparation methods
- Longterm durability of enhanced results wasn’t fully established
That said, the data aligns well with clinical experience and supports thoughtful, individualized treatment planning.
What This Means for Aesthetic Providers
This study validates something many injectors already intuitively practice:
Simple, evidencebased treatments—done consistently and correctly—often deliver the most reliable outcomes.
PRP is a valuable tool, but it shouldn’t overshadow the effectiveness of microneedling itself.
For patients who have lived with acne scars for years—and for whom those scars carry emotional weight—having safe, effective options matters deeply.
Closing Thoughts
Acne scarring isn’t just a cosmetic concern—it’s a qualityoflife issue. This study offers reassurance that microneedling remains a powerful therapeutic option, while PRP may serve as a meaningful enhancement in select patients.
As always in aesthetic medicine, the best outcomes come from:
- Evidenceguided decisionmaking
- Honest patient education
- Individualized treatment planning
In AP Class, we don’t just ask what works—we ask when, why, and for whom.
Class dismissed—for now.
@media (max-width: 768px) {h1{ font-size: 1.7em;}}
