Subcision described
A tri-beveled needle inserted through a skin puncture cuts under depressed scars and wrinkles. The release and new connective tissue lift the depression.[1][2]
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History
From subcision in 1995 to the first FDA authorization in 2018: the steps that made the treatment.
Timeline
A tri-beveled needle inserted through a skin puncture cuts under depressed scars and wrinkles. The release and new connective tissue lift the depression.[1][2]
A tattoo machine without pigment was used to treat pale and raised scars after surgery.[1][2]
Fernandes dates the start of percutaneous collagen induction therapy to 1997. He described it in 2005 as a method that keeps the epidermis nearly normal.[1][2][3]
Liebl in 2000 and Fernandes in 2006 shaped the drum-shaped roller with many fine needles used for collagen induction.[1]
A series of 480 patients in South Africa and Germany reported 60 to 80% self-rated improvement in Germany and more collagen and elastin on biopsy at 6 months.[1]
Two sessions reduced the severity of rolling acne scars in 32 patients, with no hyperpigmentation.[1]
A bipolar microneedle RF device with temperature feedback created heated zones in the reticular dermis of 15 subjects.[1][2]
The Infini Radiofrequency System was cleared through 510(k) on June 25, 2013.[1]
In 50 patients with acne scars, PRP plus needling improved 62.2% against 45.8% for needling alone.[1]
The FDA granted De Novo DEN160029 for SkinPen on March 1, 2018, for facial acne scars in adults 22 and older. The microneedling classification, 21 CFR 878.4430, was published June 8, 2018.[1][2][3]
The InMode System with the Morpheus8 (Fractora) applicators was cleared through 510(k) on December 27, 2019.[1][2]
The FDA issued final guidance on when a microneedling product is a medical device, in November 2020.[1]
Four former clients of an unlicensed New Mexico spa and one sexual partner were diagnosed with HIV from 2018 to 2023. The spa offered PRP microneedling facials and did not follow infection control.[1]
On October 15, 2025, the FDA reported serious complications with RF microneedling, including burns, scarring, fat loss, disfigurement and nerve damage.[1]
People
Their papers set the methods in use today.
Named and described subcision, needle release of depressed scars and wrinkles.[1]
Plastic surgeon who described needle dermabrasion with a tattoo machine without ink.[1][2]
Cape Town plastic surgeon who developed percutaneous collagen induction and the needle roller.[1][2][3]
Lead author of the 480-patient collagen induction series from Hannover.[1]
Naples dermatologist who published needling for acne scars across skin types I to VI.[1][2][3]
Stanford researcher who described bipolar microneedle RF and the heated zones it makes in the dermis.[1][2][3]
Led the 100-subject multicenter trial of temperature-controlled fractional RF.[1]
Measured how deep pen needles actually go at each setting.[1]
Published a practical guide and prospective series of microneedling for scars and stretch marks.[1][2][3]