Postbiotics and Microneedling: An Emerging Approach for Acne Relief 

Acne is the most common skin disease in the United States, affecting as many as 50 million Americans per year. Due to this prevalence, there are many options for acne treatment, including topical medications like benzoyl peroxide and retinoids, as well as oral medications like antibiotics.

However, another therapy showing promise for acne relief is the implementation of postbiotics and microneedling. These forms of treatment aren’t nearly as common as topical agents, but they may be effective in mitigating the physical and psychosocial toll acne can have on a patient’s life.

What Are Postbiotics and Microneedling?

Like prebiotics and probiotics, postbiotics are essential to promoting a healthy gut microbiome. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that live in the gut; their function is supported by prebiotics. Postbiotics are the metabolic byproducts produced from probiotics. Various foods contain postbiotics, including cottage cheese, kimchi, kombucha, and yogurt.

The other half of this new therapeutic approach is microneedling. Also known as collagen induction therapy, this procedure stimulates the skin’s healing process by repeatedly puncturing the skin with very small needles. Microneedling is often utilized to reduce wrinkles and, more recently, treat the effects of acne.

Examining Postbiotics and Microneedling as an Acne Treatment

In a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, researchers monitored 20 Chinese participants who each underwent one treatment session, which included a postbiotic formulation and microneedling. They were then reevaluated after four weeks.

The participants’ acne scores, based on the global acne grading system (GAGS), reduced by more than half after their treatment. The researchers also noted major improvements in redness, and none of the participants reported significant adverse events. Lastly, over 85 percent of the patients were happy with the results.

Though this study’s results are promising, additional research on a larger population is necessary to measure the overall efficacy of postbiotics and microneedling for those impacted by acne.

Drawbacks to Microneedling and Postbiotics

While the study did not cite any notable side effects, some patients may still experience issues from postbiotics and microneedling treatment.

Postbiotics are natural, healthy bacteria that already exist within the body, so they rarely cause adverse events. But they can lead to dehydration, abdominal pain, and even mild-to-severe vomiting.

Microneedling also rarely causes side effects, though mild instances of erythema, edema, and skin irritation are relatively common. Additionally, microneedling potentially worsens acne breakouts for some, so providers should be sure to follow up with their patients after a microneedling procedure is performed, especially for cases of acne.

References:

Li Z, Li P, Xu Y, et al. (2024, December 2). Efficacy of a postbiotic formulation combined with microneedling for mild-to-moderate acne: A self-control study. Journal of cosmetic dermatology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39620488/

Skin conditions by the numbers. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/media/stats-numbers

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024, June 21). Acne. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne/diagnosis-treatment-and-steps-to-take

Gowda, A., Healey, B., Ezaldein, H., & Merati, M. (2021, January). A systematic review examining the potential adverse effects of microneedling. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7869810/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20this%20review%20found%20that%20microneedling%2C%20regardless,erythema%2C%20pain%2C%20edema%2C%20and%20temporary%20skin%20irritation.

Ma, L., Tu, H., & Chen, T. (2023, January 6). Postbiotics in human health: A narrative review. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/2/291