Potenza RF Microneedling for Acne and Scars: 50-Patient Study Results

Key Points: Potenza radiofrequency microneedling can be started even when active acne lesions are present, with a 50-patient clinical record showing a median reduction from 45 to 18.5 acne lesions after treatment. This article breaks down how the two Potenza tip types work differently for active acne versus depressed acne scars, what the study numbers actually mean, and when treatment may need to be postponed.

Why Does Potenza Have Two Different Tips?

Potenza uses ultra-fine needles inserted into the skin to deliver radiofrequency (RF) heat energy at a depth of 1.0 to 2.0 mm — reaching past the surface into the dermis where collagen is produced. The key difference between the two tips comes down to where that heat is delivered along the needle.

The insulated tip has a coated shaft, so RF energy is released only at the needle tip. This concentrates heat in the deeper dermis while minimizing surface tissue exposure, making it better suited for patients who still have visible pitting or depressed acne scars after active breakouts have subsided.

The non-insulated tip allows heat to spread along the entire length of the needle as it passes through the tissue. This broader thermal effect reaches shallower skin layers, which may help reduce sebaceous gland activity and create an environment less favorable for acne-causing bacteria — making it more appropriate for patients with currently active, raised breakouts and textured skin.

The two tips are not interchangeable; the choice depends on whether the primary concern is ongoing acne, residual scarring, or both. In practice, some patients require both approaches across different sessions as their skin condition changes over time.

What Did 50 Patients' Acne Counts Actually Show?

The data referenced here comes from a 2026 study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum (Lee S, et al., ojag097), which analyzed three years of Potenza treatment records from 50 patients at a university hospital. To reduce evaluator bias, anonymized pre- and post-treatment photos were assessed independently by a separate clinician who did not know which images were taken before or after treatment.

Sessions used topical anesthetic cream applied for 30 minutes beforehand, with each session lasting 10 to 15 minutes. Energy intensity was split evenly between medium and high settings. The median number of sessions received was three, with 23 patients completing one or two sessions and 13 patients receiving five or more.

Looking at median values across all 50 patients, acne lesion count dropped from 45 before treatment to 18.5 after treatment. When individual patient reduction rates were averaged, the mean decrease was 48.3%. Among participants, 26 patients saw their lesion count fall by more than half, and 12 patients experienced a reduction of more than three-quarters.

It is worth noting that the study measured acne lesion counts as its primary endpoint. Of the 50 patients, 38 had pre-existing acne scars at the start of the study, but scar improvement was not quantified numerically — so this data cannot be used to draw firm conclusions about how much Potenza reduced scarring specifically.

Follow-up photography at six months after the final session suggested that scar appearance continued to improve even without additional treatment. This is consistent with how collagen remodeling works: new collagen takes several months to fully mature and integrate into the skin's structure after RF-induced micro-injury.

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When Should Potenza Treatment Be Postponed?

While the study included patients with active acne at the time of treatment, it did not treat all breakout states equally. Severely inflamed or heavily pustular acne was treated with a delay — inflammation was allowed to subside first before proceeding with Potenza sessions. This distinction matters, because applying RF microneedling to intensely inflamed lesions carries a higher risk of worsening the skin response.

Among the 50 patients, five experienced adverse reactions including redness, itching, or stinging, all of which resolved on their own without intervention. Three patients did not show meaningful improvement. No participants discontinued treatment due to adverse events, which the study authors noted as a positive safety signal — though the absence of a control group limits how much these numbers can be attributed to Potenza alone.

Another limitation acknowledged in the study is that many participants were using topical acne medications alongside the device treatment, but this information was not consistently recorded. This means the improvements observed cannot be attributed solely to Potenza. Additionally, some study authors had affiliations with or received funding from the device manufacturer, which should be considered when interpreting the findings.

In summary, Potenza treatment may be an option even when some active acne is present, but heavily inflamed breakouts are generally a reason to wait. Results vary between individuals, and the evidence base for scar improvement specifically remains limited based on this study alone.

How Should You Interpret These Results for Your Own Skin?

A median acne reduction of around 48% across 50 patients is a meaningful clinical signal, but individual outcomes varied considerably — some patients improved by more than 75%, while three showed no meaningful change at all. Skin type, severity of acne, number of sessions, energy settings, and concurrent skincare routines all influence how much improvement may be possible.

The finding that scar appearance continued to improve for up to six months after the last session is clinically relevant for managing expectations. Collagen remodeling is a slow biological process, and judging results too early — for example, at four to six weeks post-treatment — may underestimate the final outcome. Patience during the recovery phase matters as much as the procedure itself.

Because this study did not quantify scar improvement numerically, and because a control group was not included, it is difficult to separate what Potenza contributed from what topical medications or natural healing may have achieved. Anyone considering this treatment should discuss realistic expectations beforehand, including which outcomes have stronger evidence behind them and which remain uncertain.

For patients dealing with both active acne and acne scars simultaneously, the order and combination of treatments — including whether to use the insulated or non-insulated tip, how many sessions to plan, and whether to combine with topical or other therapies — should be assessed on a case-by-case basis rather than using a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Potenza RF microneedling be done while acne is still active?

Based on the referenced 50-patient study, Potenza was performed on patients with active acne lesions. However, sessions were postponed when breakouts were severely inflamed or heavily pustular. Mild to moderate active acne was not necessarily a reason to delay, but the decision depends on the current state of the skin.

How many Potenza sessions are typically needed for acne and acne scars?

In the study, the median number of sessions was three. About half of participants had one to two sessions, while roughly a quarter had five or more. The appropriate number of sessions depends on acne severity, scar depth, and how the skin responds — there is no universal protocol, and individual results vary.

What is the difference between the insulated and non-insulated Potenza tips?

The insulated tip concentrates RF heat at the needle tip only, minimizing surface exposure and targeting deeper dermal layers — generally preferred for depressed acne scars. The non-insulated tip spreads heat along the full needle length, reaching shallower tissue — generally used when active acne and surface texture are the primary concerns.

When do Potenza results for acne scars become visible?

The study showed that scar appearance continued to improve for up to six months after the final session, even without additional treatment. This is because collagen remodeling takes several months to complete. Evaluating results too soon after treatment may underestimate the eventual outcome.

What side effects were reported in the Potenza acne study?

Five out of 50 patients experienced side effects including redness, itching, and stinging. All resolved without intervention, and no patients discontinued treatment because of adverse events. Three patients did not show meaningful improvement. These figures should be interpreted cautiously, as the study lacked a control group and had some undocumented concurrent treatments.