PRP Facial for Acne Scars: What the Studies Show and What to Expect

Short answer: for pitted (atrophic) acne scars, the best evidence is that adding PRP to microneedling gives somewhat more improvement than microneedling alone. That finding comes from small studies, many of them split-face trials, and the most recent overview of the reviews rated the certainty of the evidence as low or very low. A PRP facial may be worth discussing, but expect gradual, partial improvement over a course, not erased scars. This page is general information, not a promise of results for any individual. Evidence checked as of 5 November 2026.

What the research actually compares

Most acne scar studies do not compare PRP with doing nothing. They compare microneedling with PRP against microneedling alone (or microneedling with saline or another serum), often on opposite halves of the same face. So the evidence mainly answers one question: does PRP add anything to microneedling?

A PRP facial at Progen is described on the PRP facial treatment page as PRP injected into the skin followed by microneedling, with red LED light afterwards. That is close to the combination most studies tested, but study protocols varied and were often not fully reported, so the studies cannot be assumed to match any particular clinic's method.

What the main reviews found

Source	What it looked at	Main finding	Limits
Kang and Lu, Frontiers in Medicine (published February 2022)	14 studies, 472 patients: 4 randomised trials and 10 non-randomised split-face studies. Atrophic acne scars.	PRP plus microneedling had higher odds of more than 50% improvement on the Goodman and Baron qualitative scale than microneedling alone (odds ratio 2.97). Patient satisfaction was also higher. Severe redness and swelling did not differ significantly between groups.	Mostly small studies from India and Egypt; PRP preparation often poorly reported; several trials were open-label or only single-blind.
Wang and colleagues, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2020)	Review of PRP for acne scars, mainly with microneedling or fractional laser	Results were mixed. In one laser split-face trial, the PRP side did not improve more and had more swelling and longer redness.	Authors call the studies small, with no standard PRP protocol.
Cruciani and colleagues, Blood Transfusion (May 2024)	Overview of 15 systematic reviews covering 34 primary studies	PRP groups tended to show better improvement and satisfaction and shorter redness and crusting.	Evidence rated low or very low certainty, so the authors say it does not support clear clinical decisions.
Damodaran and colleagues, Indian Dermatology Online Journal (January 2026)	64 patients, skin types 3 to 6, split-face, three sessions four weeks apart	PRP plus microneedling improved scar scores more than microneedling alone on the Goodman and Baron scale.	Non-randomised, not fully blinded, short follow-up (one month after the last session).

Put together: the direction of the evidence is consistent, the size of the added benefit over microneedling is modest, and the quality is limited. "More than 50% improvement on a rating scale" is a clinician-scored grade, not the scars disappearing.

What "realistic" looks like

• Improvement, not removal. Studies report better scores on grading scales and higher satisfaction. None of the sources above shows scars being fully removed.
• A course, not one visit. The trials in the Kang and Lu review used between 2 and 6 sessions, with follow-up from 4 to 32 weeks. How many sessions you would need, if any, is something your practitioner will advise after assessment.
• Gradual change. Collagen remodelling takes time, which is why the studies measured results weeks after the last session rather than days.
• Side effects are mostly temporary. In the meta-analysis, severe redness and swelling were not significantly different from microneedling alone. Your practitioner will explain what to expect after your own treatment and how long it may last.

Which scars the evidence covers

The studies above were on atrophic scars, the shallow holes or dips that the NHS describes as ice-pick or boxcar scars. They do not tell you about raised, thick or keloid scars, about dark marks left after spots (post-inflammatory pigmentation), or about redness, which need different assessment. Deep, narrow scars and tethered "rolling" scars are commonly treated with other methods, sometimes alongside microneedling, and a practitioner can tell you whether a combination suits you.

If you still have active, painful or scarring acne, the NHS advises seeing a GP, who can prescribe treatment to stop new scars forming and refer you to a dermatologist if needed. Treating the acne itself comes first.

Questions to take to a consultation

• What type of scars do I have, and is PRP with microneedling suited to them, or would another approach fit better?
• Is my acne currently active, and do I need to treat that first?
• Do any medicines I take, a medical condition, pregnancy or a history of keloid scarring affect suitability? (Your practitioner will confirm what applies.)
• How many sessions would you advise for my skin, and how will we judge progress?
• What is the cost of a course, what recovery should I expect, and what is the plan if I see little change? See current prices.

Because a PRP facial involves a blood sample and takes time, it is not usually done on the same day as the consultation.

Where this fits with other options

If your main concern is overall skin quality rather than scars, see how polynucleotides compare with a PRP facial, or the laser facial for skin rejuvenation page.

Next step

If you would like a practitioner to look at your scars and say whether a PRP facial is worth considering, start with the PRP facial page and request a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Does a PRP facial work for acne scars?

Studies suggest PRP added to microneedling gives more improvement in atrophic (pitted) acne scars than microneedling alone, but the improvement is partial and the certainty of the evidence is low to very low. A 2022 meta-analysis of 14 studies found higher odds of more than 50% improvement on a clinician-rated scale. It does not show scars being fully removed.

Is PRP better than microneedling alone for acne scars?

Pooled results favour PRP plus microneedling over microneedling alone, with similar rates of severe redness and swelling. Most trials were small and many were split-face designs, and one fractional laser trial found no extra benefit from PRP and longer redness, so the finding is not certain.

How many PRP sessions are used for acne scars in studies?

Trials in a 2022 meta-analysis used between 2 and 6 sessions, with follow-up from 4 to 32 weeks. A 2026 split-face study used three sessions four weeks apart. How many your skin would need is for your practitioner to advise after assessment.

Does PRP help raised or keloid acne scars?

The studies discussed here covered atrophic (pitted) scars, so they do not show that PRP helps raised, thick or keloid scars. A practitioner should assess the scar type before any treatment is suggested.

Should I treat active acne before scar treatment?

The NHS advises seeing a GP if acne is deep, painful or causing scars, because treating the acne reduces the chance of new scars. Your practitioner will confirm whether your acne needs to be controlled before a scar treatment.

Read about the PRP facial and ask about your scars at a consultation

Sources and further information

• Kang and Lu (Front Med, published 14 Feb 2022): 14 studies, 472 patients (4 RCTs, 10 non-randomised split-face), atrophic acne scars; PRP plus microneedling vs microneedling alone: OR 2.97 (95% CI 1.96-4.51) for >50% improvement on Goodman's qualitative scale, satisfaction OR 4.15, no significant difference in severe erythema or oedema; sessions 2-6, follow-up 4-32 weeks.
• Cruciani et al, Blood Transfusion 2024;22(3):226-238 (Europe PMC record of PMID 37677095): overview of 15 systematic reviews, 34 primary studies; PRP groups had better clinical improvement and satisfaction and shorter erythema/crusting; GRADE very low to low; evidence does not support clear clinical decisions.
• Damodaran et al, Indian Dermatol Online J 2026;17(1):67-72 (e-pub 29 Dec 2025): 64 patients, skin types 3-6, three sessions four weeks apart, split-face; PRP plus microneedling improved Goodman and Baron scores more than microneedling alone.
• Wang et al, J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2020;13(1):44-49: acne scar evidence for PRP is mixed and from small studies; one fractional laser split-face trial showed no significant added scar benefit and more oedema and longer erythema on the PRP side; no standard PRP protocol.
• NHS: acne can leave scars such as shallow ice-pick or boxcar holes; see a GP if acne is deep, painful or causing scars; a GP can prescribe stronger treatment or refer to a dermatologist. Page last reviewed 22 Sep 2026.
• Europe PMC metadata confirming Kang and Lu publication details (PMID 35237616, DOI 10.3389/fmed.2021.788754).