Microneedling appears promising in darker skin types

(HealthDay)—Microneedling represents a promising treatment modality for dermatologic conditions in darker skin, according to a review published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Brandon E. Cohen, and Nada Elbuluk, M.D., from New York University School of Medicine in New York City, reviewed the literature relating to microneedling in darker skin.

The researchers note that microneedling is an evolving treatment for a growing number of dermatologic conditions and has been studied in skin of color. Studies were reviewed for use of microneedling for patients with acne vulgaris, atrophic acne, scars, melasma, melanosis, skin rejuvenation, and primary hyperhidrosis. Microneedling represents a favorable treatment in darker skin types as it can yield clinical efficacy with minimal risk of adverse events. Microneedling was found to be tolerable and can be repeated multiple times as the epidermis is preserved.

"Although microneedling may positively add to the current treatment armamentarium available for this population, it is important to note that the number of randomized controlled trials completed remains limited, and larger, controlled studies are needed to provide further data on the efficacy and safety of microneedling, particularly in darker skin types," the authors write.

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