Clearing acne — and the scarring it leaves behind — is rarely straightforward. Acne isn’t just a surface-level issue; it’s often a reflection of deeper imbalances in the body, from inflammation and hormonal shifts to impaired barrier function and immune dysregulation. That’s what makes it so complex — both to experience and to treat.

Even after breakouts resolve, the skin doesn’t always bounce back on its own. Scarring, pigmentation, and uneven texture can remain long after active acne is gone, often impacting confidence just as much as the acne did. That’s why the order of treatment matters.
The first priority is calming inflammation and getting breakouts under control. Once the skin is stable, targeted treatments like microchanneling can help repair the aftermath — rebuilding collagen, restoring balance, and supporting long-term skin health.

SPA WAILELE

Inflammation is at the core of nearly every acne case — whether it presents as small comedones or deep, cystic lesions. It can be driven by a combination of factors: excess sebum production, buildup of dead skin cells, P. acnes bacteria, hormonal fluctuations, stress, gut imbalances, and even aggressive skincare routines that damage the skin’s protective barrier. Left unaddressed, inflammation keeps the skin in a reactive state, making it harder to heal and more prone to long-term damage.

That’s why the first step in any effective acne protocol should focus on restoring balance and calming inflammation. This means dialling in a routine that supports barrier repair, regulates oil production, and reduces bacterial overgrowth — often with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, sulfur, or retinoids, depending on the skin type and severity. In some cases, dietary adjustments, stress management, and internal supplementation may be recommended to further reduce inflammatory load.

The goal during this phase isn’t just to stop new breakouts, but to create the kind of environment where the skin can finally stabilise, which is essential before moving into advanced treatments like microchanneling.

What is Microchanneling for Acne? 

Glow Esthetics by Elle (Two microchanneling treatments)

Microchanneling is a non-invasive treatment that uses a precision stamping device to create hundreds of controlled micro-injuries in the epidermis. These micro-injuries stimulate a cascade of natural healing responses — increasing circulation, triggering collagen and elastin production, and opening microchannels that allow advanced serums to penetrate more deeply into the skin.

This regenerative approach is commonly used for fine lines, pigmentation, and scars — but it’s now gaining recognition as a powerful tool in the fight against active acne, too.

Yes, You Can Microchannel Over Active Acne

For years, the common belief was that microneedling should never be performed over active acne lesions, due to concerns about spreading bacteria or worsening inflammation. But emerging research, including a 2023 peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, is shifting that perspective. Controlled channelling, when done correctly, can actually improve inflammatory acne by regulating the skin’s immune response and supporting barrier repair.

Procell’s microchanneling technology is different from traditional microneedling pens or rollers. The device delivers vertical channels with uniform depth and minimal trauma, making it safer and more controlled, especially for acne-prone skin. When used in mild to moderate inflammatory cases, microchanneling can help:

• Calm inflammatory activity and reduce redness

• Strengthen the skin’s barrier function

• Increase oxygenation and cellular turnover

• Enhance the penetration of targeted anti-inflammatory serums

Break the chronic cycle of congestion and delayed healing

It’s important to note that microchanneling is not a replacement for acne-clearing protocols — it’s a supportive treatment that can be integrated once inflammation is under control, or even during milder breakout cycles under professional supervision.

Combination Therapy: Clearing Acne with Synergistic Treatments

Client using synergistic treatment of Face Reality Home Care and Procell Therapies Microchanneling Delivery Serum. 

While microchanneling can play a powerful role in both managing inflammation and repairing post-acne scarring, its true potential is unlocked when paired with the right supporting treatments. Acne is multifactorial — and no single modality can address every contributing factor on its own. That’s where combination therapy comes in.

One of the most effective complements to in-office microchanneling is a consistent, professional-grade home care regimen. Face Reality’s system has become a gold standard in acne-prone skincare — using custom routines of actives like benzoyl peroxide, mandelic acid, sulfur, and salicylic acid, tailored to each client’s skin condition, sensitivity level, and acne type.

When combined with Procell microchanneling, Face Reality’s home care acts as the daily groundwork that calms inflammation, decongests the skin, and prevents new breakouts between treatments. It also helps condition the skin so that when channeling is performed, the barrier is stable and the results are maximized.

In the image above, Procell microchanneling was performed in conjunction with a full Face Reality regimen — and the outcome speaks for itself: reduced redness, minimized breakouts, and a smoother, clearer complexion over time.

Aleese Aesthetics2 Microchanneling Treatments 

Supporting the Skin Barrier from the Inside Out

One of the most overlooked contributors to persistent acne and post-treatment reactivity is a compromised skin barrier. Years of harsh actives, over-exfoliation, and inflammation can leave the skin stripped, sensitized, and less able to heal — even after breakouts have subsided.

That’s why barrier-first skincare is gaining traction as a more modern, sustainable approach to acne treatment. We see this shift reflected in the regenerative nature of microchanneling itself. 

The treatment supports barrier repair by stimulating cellular signaling, improving communication between keratinocytes, and encouraging healthy tissue remodeling — all essential for long-term skin resilience.

Wish Skin Health has become a recognized leader in this approach. Their home care line is designed to calm inflammation while actively supporting lipid balance, hydration, and overall barrier function. Unlike more conventional acne systems, Wish embraces skin-compatible oils and repair-focused actives — a philosophy that challenges outdated views on what acne-prone skin should or shouldn’t tolerate.

During periods of chronic inflammation, the skin attempts to repair itself, but without a calm, supportive environment, it often doesn’t heal correctly. Collagen is laid down in disorganized patterns. Pigment becomes trapped. The skin surface hardens instead of smoothing.

This is why acne scarring can be so persistent — not because the skin is incapable of healing, but because that healing process was never fully completed.

But no matter how long ago the acne occurred, the skin still has the ability to rebuild itself.

Repair Doesn’t Require Trauma — It Needs the Right Signals

Unlike traditional resurfacing treatments that aim to “break down” the skin and force a reaction, Procell’s microchanneling system is about creating the right conditions for real, functional repair. It uses vertical stamping to create clean, uniform microchannels that activate healing without creating unnecessary trauma.inflammation can leave the skin stripped, sensitized, and less able to heal — even after breakouts have subsided.

That’s why barrier-first skincare is gaining traction as a more modern, sustainable approach to acne treatment. We see this shift reflected in the regenerative nature of microchanneling itself. 

The treatment supports barrier repair by stimulating cellular signaling, improving communication between keratinocytes, and encouraging healthy tissue remodeling — all essential for long-term skin resilience.

Wish Skin Health has become a recognized leader in this approach. Their home care line is designed to calm inflammation while actively supporting lipid balance, hydration, and overall barrier function. Unlike more conventional acne systems, Wish embraces skin-compatible oils and repair-focused actives — a philosophy that challenges outdated views on what acne-prone skin should or shouldn’t tolerate.

Spa Wailele, 2 Microchanneling Treatments

But the true transformation happens at the cellular level — with Procell’s growth factor serums. These advanced serums are rich in skin-native proteins that help:

• Deliver precise regenerative signals to the dermis

• Encourage organized collagen remodeling

• Re-train the skin’s healing response

This isn’t about tricking the skin into healing through injury — it’s about giving the skin the information it needs to finish the job it started.

Why Nothing Else Has Worked for Some Clients 

Many clients struggling with long-term acne scars have already tried everything: lasers, peels, prescriptions, and years of topical products — often with minimal results.

But here’s what’s often misunderstood:

Creating damage doesn’t guarantee healing.

Aggressive resurfacing treatments like lasers or deep peels rely on injury to stimulate change — but if the skin doesn’t respond with the right kind of healing, the scar remains. In many cases, the body doesn’t receive or generate the cellular signals necessary to rebuild structured, organized tissue. So while the surface may be ablated or burned, the internal healing mechanism stays disrupted.

Procell Microchanneling takes a fundamentally different approach.

Rather than relying on damage to force a response, Procell works regeneratively — stimulating controlled, low-trauma micro-injuries that activate communication between skin cells and re-engage the body’s repair systems. These channels stay open just long enough to deliver potent growth factor serums, which provide the specific biological signals the skin needs to rebuild correctly.

This is the difference: It’s not about making the skin “work harder” — it’s about helping it work smarter.

Not more damage. More direction. That’s why microchanneling is one of the most sought-after approaches for post-acne scarring today. It gives the skin a second chance to heal — this time, with the right support.

Reclaiming Your Skin, Backed by Science

Acne isn’t just a surface-level concern — and the data proves it.

Studies consistently show that those who experience chronic acne and visible scarring are more likely to report elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. In fact, research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has linked acne to reduced self-esteem and quality of life, regardless of age.

But here’s the good news: science is also driving better solutions.

If you’ve struggled with breakouts, scarring, or inflammation that just won’t resolve, there are now regenerative options designed to work with the body — not against it. Procell Microchanneling uses targeted micro-stimulation and advanced growth factor technology to help restore structure, improve tone and texture, and guide the skin toward more complete healing.

Whether your skin is recovering from recent breakouts or carrying scars from years past, it’s never too late to support it with the right tools — and a clearer path forward.

Find a Microchanneling Practitioner Near You

For those interested in microchanneling, speaking with a licensed practitioner is an important first step. A trained provider can assess skin condition, review treatment history, and help determine whether a regenerative approach is appropriate based on individual needs.

A practitioner directory is available to help locate certified professionals who offer Procell Microchanneling in clinical or spa settings.