Microneedling Results Statistics 2026

What is the success rate of microneedling?

A 2026 Bayesian network meta-analysis of 56 RCTs (1,488 patients) on moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scars concluded combination therapies generally beat single treatments; fractional CO2 laser plus subcision or PRP was most consistent, and microneedling plus PRP ranked among the best for significant-improvement rate (Ou et al., Aesthetic Plast Surg). [4]

In a 2014 JAMA Dermatology randomized split-face trial (Alam et al.; 20 enrolled, 15 completed), three needling-roller sessions 2 weeks apart significantly improved acne scar scores at 6 months; participants rated a 41% mean improvement on the treated side, mean pain was 1.08 of 10, and no adverse events were reported (2010 data). [1]

A 2026 meta-analysis (Agu-Jefferson et al., Cureus; 11 studies, 713 participants) found no significant difference between microneedling and chemical peels in achieving clinically significant (≥50%) acne-scar improvement (RR 0.97), though microneedling was more likely to give any improvement (RR 1.79). [2]

A 2024 network meta-analysis of 24 randomized trials (1,546 participants) found microneedling combined with chemical peels gave the best acne-scar improvement and satisfaction, combinations beat microneedling alone, and side effects (redness, pain, hyperpigmentation) did not differ significantly between treatments (Li et al., Arch Dermatol Res). [3]

How do patients rate microneedling providers on Google?

Google reviews of med spas offering microneedling average 4.85 stars, across 4,714,457 reviews of 32,065 rated listings.

94% of the Google reviews left for microneedling providers are 5-star.

82% of microneedling providers with at least 5 reviews hold a 4.8-star rating or better.

3.4% of the Google reviews left for microneedling providers give 1 or 2 stars.

1.1% of microneedling providers with at least 5 reviews average under 4.0 stars.

Google lists results as a review theme for 14% of microneedling providers with review themes.

Google lists natural-looking results as a review theme for 8.0% of microneedling providers with review themes.

What published research says

These numbers come from outside sources, not our directory; each one links to its source below.

• The American Academy of Dermatology says acne is the most common skin condition in the US, affecting up to 50 million Americans each year — a figure it sources to the AAD/SID "Burden of Skin Diseases" study of 2004 data (published 2006). [5]
• Among 1,972 acne patients seen by 120 US dermatologists in one week, 43% (843) had acne scarring, and 69% of those with scars had only mild or moderate acne at the visit (Tan, Kang, Leyden; J Drugs Dermatol 2017). [6]

What these numbers can't tell you

• Counts are Google Maps listings we classify as med spas, so they include dermatology and plastic surgery practices that offer med spa treatments and exclude spas without a Google listing.
• A treatment counts when the spa's Google listing or website names it, so a spa with an outdated menu can be over- or under-counted.
• Ratings and review themes are Google's, as shown on each listing on the snapshot date; Google filters some reviews and does not publish how.

Medical disclaimer. MedSpaStandard is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed provider about your own health, and check any provider's license with your state board.