Microneedling Treatment in Riyadh

Microneedling is a medical procedure that uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin.

These microscopic punctures initiate the body’s natural wound-healing process. As the skin repairs itself, collagen remodeling can gradually improve the appearance of selected scars, wrinkles and uneven texture.

Professional microneedling devices can allow the treatment depth to be adjusted according to the treatment area and clinical objective. The depth used on one area of the face may not be appropriate for another area or for a different skin concern.

Microneedling is therefore not a one-setting treatment.

The aim is controlled collagen induction, not unnecessary trauma to the skin.

The results are gradual because collagen remodeling takes time. Deeper treatment is not automatically better; excessive inflammation can increase the risk of unwanted skin reactions, including pigmentation changes and scarring.

Microneedling can be considered for several concerns involving skin texture and collagen remodeling. The appropriate treatment depends on the diagnosis and characteristics of the skin.

Microneedling is commonly used to improve the appearance of selected atrophic acne scars.

Acne scars are not all the same. Rolling scars, boxcar scars and icepick scars have different structures and may respond differently to treatment.

Microneedling can be useful for selected rolling and boxcar scars, while deeper or tethered scars may require another procedure or a combination approach.

Depending on the scar type, treatment options may include microneedling, RF microneedling, subcision, chemical procedures, fractional laser resurfacing or combination treatment.

The objective is to match the procedure to the scar rather than treating every acne scar with the same technique.

Microneedling may improve the appearance of enlarged pores by stimulating collagen remodeling around the treated area and improving overall skin texture.

Pores cannot be permanently eliminated because pore appearance is influenced by genetics, oil production, skin structure and aging.

When enlarged pores occur together with acne scars or uneven texture, microneedling may be considered as part of a broader treatment plan.

Uneven texture can develop from acne scars, sun exposure, aging and other changes within the skin.

Microneedling can gradually improve selected textural irregularities through collagen remodeling.

The appropriate treatment depends on whether the texture problem is superficial or associated with deeper scarring. More pronounced resurfacing concerns may require a different treatment approach.

Microneedling can stimulate collagen remodeling in skin affected by early fine lines and textural changes.

The improvement develops progressively rather than immediately.

Microneedling is generally more relevant to superficial lines and skin texture than deep folds caused by significant volume loss or facial muscle movement. Other treatments may be considered when those factors are the primary cause of the concern.

Stretch marks are a type of dermal scar associated with changes in the skin during periods of rapid stretching.

Microneedling may improve the appearance of selected stretch marks by stimulating collagen remodeling within the affected skin.

Treatment can be considered for areas such as the abdomen, thighs and arms, depending on the characteristics of the stretch marks.

Complete removal should not be expected, and improvement may require more than one treatment.

Selected surgical and traumatic scars may improve with collagen-induction treatment.

Before treatment, the scar should be assessed for its age, thickness, color, texture and healing characteristics.

Raised scars and keloids require particular caution and may not be suitable for microneedling.

Microneedling has also been studied for selected pigmentation concerns, including melasma and post-inflammatory pigmentation.

However, pigmentation should be diagnosed before treatment.

Melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sun-related pigmentation and other dark spots do not necessarily have the same cause or respond to the same treatment.

Microneedling also creates controlled inflammation, so overly aggressive treatment can potentially worsen pigmentation in susceptible patients.

For this reason, patients with a history of pigmentation changes should have their skin assessed carefully before treatment.

Microneedling can be performed on different skin tones, but individual pigmentation risk still matters.

Patients with darker or pigmentation-prone skin can develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after skin injury or inflammation. Treatment therefore needs to be appropriately selected and controlled.

Skin tone alone does not determine whether someone is suitable for microneedling.

Dr. Haitham Al-Gzlan considers factors such as:

The goal is to create sufficient controlled stimulation without unnecessary inflammation.

Traditional microneedling and RF microneedling are related but different procedures.

Traditional microneedling uses mechanical needle penetration to create controlled micro-injuries and stimulate collagen remodeling.

It may be considered for selected:

RF microneedling combines needle penetration with radiofrequency energy delivered at selected tissue depths.

It has a different mechanism and safety profile from conventional microneedling. RF microneedling may be considered for concerns such as selected scars, texture, wrinkles and mild skin laxity.

Because RF adds thermal energy, it should be treated as a separate procedure rather than simply a stronger version of traditional microneedling.

The FDA issued a safety communication in 2025 regarding serious complications reported with certain uses of RF microneedling, including burns, scarring, fat loss and nerve damage. Patients considering RF microneedling should therefore receive treatment from a licensed provider with appropriate training and experience.

Microneedling may sometimes be combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as an adjunctive treatment.

PRP is prepared from the patient’s own blood and contains platelets and associated biological factors. Research has investigated PRP-assisted microneedling for concerns such as acne scars and skin rejuvenation.

However, PRP should not be presented as automatically necessary for every microneedling treatment.

The FDA states that microneedling devices have not been cleared specifically for delivering PRP or other products into the skin. The decision to combine procedures should therefore be based on the individual treatment plan rather than assuming that adding another product will always improve results.

Professional medical microneedling is different from using a cosmetic roller at home.

Professional treatment allows the provider to assess the skin, control treatment depth, use appropriate sterile equipment and manage potential complications.

At-home products are generally designed to produce a more superficial effect. Aggressive use, poor hygiene or sharing a device can increase the risk of irritation, infection, scarring and pigmentation changes.

For meaningful acne-scar remodeling or other medical skin concerns, professional assessment is preferable to attempting deeper treatment at home. The FDA also recommends choosing a trained healthcare provider and ensuring that a new needle cartridge is used for each patient and treatment session.

Microneedling may be considered for adults who are concerned about:

A suitable candidate should understand that improvement is gradual and that more than one treatment may sometimes be needed.

Microneedling is not automatically appropriate for every skin condition. The skin should be assessed before treatment to determine whether microneedling is likely to provide meaningful benefit.

Microneedling may need to be postponed or avoided in certain circumstances.

These can include:

A history of cold sores should also be disclosed because procedures involving the skin can potentially trigger herpes reactivation.

Current medications, including blood thinners and acne medications, should always be discussed before treatment.

Do not stop prescribed medication on your own.

FDA guidance also lists several medical circumstances in which microneedling may not be suitable and emphasizes individual assessment before treatment.

Preparation depends on your skin and the treatment being performed.

Before your appointment, tell Dr. Haitham about:

You may be advised to temporarily modify certain skincare products or avoid significant sun exposure before treatment.

Do not discontinue prescription medication unless instructed by the appropriate healthcare professional.

Temporary redness, swelling, tightness, dryness, peeling, sensitivity or pinpoint bleeding can occur after treatment.

These effects generally settle as the skin recovers, although recovery varies according to treatment intensity and individual response.

After treatment:

The FDA lists redness, dryness, tightness, peeling, discomfort, bruising, bleeding and other reactions among possible effects of microneedling.

If you experience significant pain, worsening swelling, spreading redness, pus, fever, blistering or another concerning reaction, contact your healthcare provider promptly.

There is no universal number of microneedling sessions.

The number depends on:

Established acne scars may require a series of treatments rather than a single session.

Your progress should be assessed before deciding whether additional sessions are appropriate.

Microneedling results develop progressively.

Some temporary improvement in skin appearance may become noticeable as the initial recovery settles, but collagen remodeling continues for weeks and months.

Acne-scar and textural improvement therefore should not be judged immediately after treatment.

The final degree of improvement varies according to the concern, treatment approach, skin response and number of sessions.

Microneedling can improve the appearance of selected scars and texture, but complete removal of scars cannot be guaranteed.

Microneedling is one of several treatments that can improve skin texture and quality.

Depending on the concern, Dr. Haitham may consider:

For example, selected acne scars may benefit from microneedling, while deeper tethered scars may require subcision or combination treatment.

Pigmentation may require a completely different approach depending on whether the diagnosis is melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or another pigmentary condition.

The most appropriate treatment is therefore determined by the underlying concern rather than by the popularity of a particular device.

Microneedling is not simply a matter of selecting a device and choosing the deepest available setting.

The treatment needs to be matched to the patient’s skin, treatment concern, scar characteristics, medical history and recovery expectations.

Dr. Haitham Al-Gzlan, a Consultant Dermatologist and Aesthetic Physician in Riyadh, takes an individualized approach to dermatological and aesthetic treatment.

His practice offers a range of skin-rejuvenation and device-based treatment options, allowing microneedling to be considered alongside other procedures when appropriate. The current Skin Rejuvenation service includes microneedling, RF microneedling and PRP, while the broader practice also provides laser and other dermatological technologies.

This means the goal is not to recommend microneedling simply because a patient asks for it. The goal is to determine whether it is appropriate for the specific skin concern and, if so, how it should be incorporated into the treatment plan.

Dr. Haitham Al-Gzlan practices in Riyadh and provides dermatological and aesthetic care for patients from Riyadh and other parts of Saudi Arabia.

Patients considering microneedling can begin with a consultation to understand whether the procedure is suitable for their skin and whether traditional microneedling or another treatment would better address their concern.

This assessment-led approach is particularly useful for patients travelling to Riyadh for acne-scar treatment, skin rejuvenation or other procedural dermatology concerns.

If you are considering microneedling for acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture, fine lines, stretch marks or selected skin concerns, the first step is determining whether microneedling is appropriate for your skin.

Dr. Haitham Al-Gzlan can assess the condition of your skin, discuss realistic expectations and determine whether traditional microneedling or another treatment would better match your needs.

Where microneedling is appropriate, the treatment depth, area, number of sessions and recovery plan can be individualized according to your skin and treatment goals.

Book a consultation in Riyadh to discuss your microneedling treatment options with Dr. Haitham Al-Gzlan.