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Expert care for a wide range of skin conditions, ensuring healthy, radiant skin.

Lesions & Bumps

Comprehensive care for skin lesions and bumps, promoting clear and healthy skin.

Lifting & Tightening

Advanced treatments to lift and lighten the skin, enhancing firmness and brightness.

Rejuvenation

Revitalize your skin with advanced treatments designed to restore a youthful glow.

Skin Treatments

Effective solutions for a variety of skin concerns, promoting clear and healthy skin.

Wellness

Holistic skincare approaches to support overall skin health and well-being.

Advanced, non-invasive treatments to rejuvenate your appearance without surgery.

Body Treatments

Transformative, non-invasive treatments to sculpt and tone your body effortlessly.

Facial Treatments

Rejuvenating facial treatments to refresh and enhance your natural radiance.

Hair Treatments

Advanced treatments to restore hair vitality and promote healthy growth.

Injectables

Minimally invasive injectables to smooth wrinkles and enhance facial contours.

Precision cosmetic surgery tailored to enhance and refine your natural beauty.

Body Surgery

Expertly performed body surgeries to reshape, contour, and enhance your physique.

Breast Surgery

Specialized breast surgeries to enhance shape, size, and symmetry for a natural look.

Cosmetic Andrology

Advanced procedures designed to enhance male aesthetics and address intimate concerns.

Cosmetic Gynaecology

Tailored surgical solutions to enhance feminine aesthetics and improve intimate well-being.

Facial Surgery

Precision facial surgeries to refine features and achieve natural, balanced results.

Fat Transfer/Removal

Advanced fat transfer and removal techniques to sculpt and enhance your body’s contours.

Comprehensive solutions to address a range of body concerns, from stubborn fat to skin laxity.

Breasts

Tailored solutions for breast concerns, including size, shape, and symmetry.

Other Areas

Targeted solutions for stubborn areas of the body, tailored to your unique needs.

Volume & Contouring

Specialized treatments to enhance body volume and improve overall contour for a balanced silhouette.

Holistic care focused on improving overall health and well-being for a balanced lifestyle.

Digestive Health

Comprehensive care to support digestive health and improve overall well-being.

Energy & Immunity

Holistic approaches to boost energy levels and strengthen your immune system for optimal health.

General Health

Personalized strategies to maintain and enhance your overall health and vitality.

Expert care for a wide variety of skin and facial concerns, promoting a healthy, glowing complexion.

Ageing Signs

Expert treatments to minimize ageing signs, rejuvenating your skin for a youthful glow.

Skin Texture & Tone

Advanced treatments to improve skin texture and even out tone for a smoother, radiant complexion.

Specific Areas

Targeted treatments to address skin concerns in specific facial areas for balanced, refined results.

Volume & Contouring

Tailored solutions to restore facial volume and enhance natural contours for a more youthful appearance.

When a friend uses your referral code, they'll get £50 off their first treatment, and you'll get £50 off your next one.

The more friends you invite, the more you earn.

Can Microneedling Cause Acne? Expert Insights to Consider Before Treatment

Understanding Microneedling treatment

is a cosmetic and non-surgical procedure that involves gently perforating the surface layer of skin with tiny needles. The purpose is to induce the body’s natural processes of healing wounds which in turn increases collagen and elastin.

Microneedling is a treatment of several skin-related problems. These include:

It is a preferred treatment for acne scarring as it remodels scar tissue while preserving the epidermis.

Can Microneedling cause acne? The procedure is generally done using dermapen or , which is moved over the skin in a tender manner. The needles can puncture the stratum corneum in varying degrees to address specific conditions. Instead, it produces thousands of microchannels that impel the skin to heal itself by producing new collagen and capillaries. In the clinic, micro-needling is done in a sterile way with post procedure after care protocols to avoid the complications.

Skin’s inflammatory response to micro-injuries

When done in a controlled environment, microneedling creates microtrauma that can trigger an immune response in the skin. This is great for repair and regeneration but may also cause a temporary increase in inflammation. This inflammatory response can cause or worsen acne, particularly in individuals with acne-prone skin.

Despite the use of sterile needles, any lapse in hygiene during the procedure can introduce bacteria into the skin. This includes bacteria from:

Bacterial exposure during the procedure can lead to comedonal or inflammatory acne breakouts post-treatment.

Poor aftercare can lead to Blocked Pores [More Material]. Applying occlusive products, makeup or pollution right after microneedling can also make the debris stay in those small microchannels where the skin is trying to heal itself. This increases the chance for breakouts.

At-home microneedling devices or non-medical-grade offices hold a much greater risk of infection. Compromised skin integrity and bacterial contamination may occur due to improper needle use, insufficient sterilisation, or the use of expired topical products.

People who previously had acne are predisposed to breakouts following microneedling. This trauma can cause a temporary irritation of the sebaceous glands or an imbalance in the skin microbiome, potentially leading to flare ups.

The increased sebum production, when combined with dead skin cells and bacteria, will cause pores to clog. This combination is more likely to cause a breakout post microneedling; the procedure makes your skin more absorbent and reactive, making it easy for certain substances to spark blemishes.

Microneedling should not be done over areas with active cystic or inflamed acne. Microneedling on active spots may result in:

Treating clear skin or areas free from active pustules minimises the risk of complications.

All post-treatment products can be irritating to some individuals but especially those that contain:

These will be highly irritating when you apply them on freshly needled skin, can cause dermatitis, or induce acneiform eruptions.

Importance of choosing a qualified professional

When performed by a trained skincare professional in a clinic, treatments are less prone to complications. A proper consultation should include:

Skin should be properly prepped before microneedling to reduce surface bacteria and ensure optimal results. Pre-treatment preparation includes:

Proper supports healing and minimises the risk of breakouts. Recommended practices include:

Recommended ingredients post-procedure include:

For at least 24 to 48 hours post-treatment, makeup should be avoided. This helps prevent:

Instead, a minimalistic skincare approach with hydrating and calming products is advised.

Effective & professional doctor-led Can Microneedling Cause Acne at our central London clinic

Verified Before & After

Verified Before & After

Identifying normal vs. concerning reactions

Post-microneedling skin may present with transient redness, mild swelling and sensitivity. These are normal and expected. However, signs of concern include:

Understanding the difference is crucial for timely intervention.

If mild breakouts occur, non-comedogenic and soothing products can be used. These may include:

Topical antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide should only be used under professional supervision, as they can be too harsh on sensitised skin.

Medical review is advised if:

Timely advice from a clinic can help prevent post-procedure complications.

Benefits of microneedling for acne scars

Microneedling remains a popular and effective treatment for post-acne scarring. It can improve:

Microneedling encourages dermal remodelling without removing the skin surface, making it a favourable choice for many.

lesions are contraindicated in microneedling. The presence of:

Treatment should be postponed until the acne is under control. In some cases, pre-treatment with a dermatologist-prescribed regimen is required.

For individuals unsuitable for microneedling due to active acne or sensitivity, alternatives may include:

These methods may better suit the skin’s condition while still addressing concerns such as congestion, inflammation and early scarring.

A personalised assessment is vital. Not all acne-prone individuals are automatically excluded from microneedling, but a proper evaluation is needed. This ensures that the is both safe and effective, tailored to skin type, current condition and long-term goals.

Recap of key insights

Microneedling is a tremendous innovation in aesthetic dermatology, and the key to success lies in taking a comprehensive, individualised approach. Skin evaluation, treatment research and extensive adherence are necessary. There is no single solution for acne.

Decisions are based on the knowledge of your skin health, history and concerns so that outcomes can be related to this. For those with acne-prone skin, a professional skincare consultation can help them see if microneedling is the best option or if it might lead them to an alternative treatment.

Reserve a microneedling appointment

One of our experts will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

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Ah Q

I had a positive experience with Dr Cumbo. This was for a review and procedure. There was close attention to detail provided

13th June 2026

Kasia Wojtas

Dr Omar has been very supportive and helpful.

15th June 2026

Trent Park

Great clinic thank you

15th June 2026

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The Harley Street Skin Clinic is an award-winning boutique private cosmetic clinic in the heart of London. We offer the most advanced surgical and non surgical techniques in our fully-fitted consulting rooms, state-of-the-art operating theatres and purpose-built aesthetics and laser suite.

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