{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T11:18:35Z","timestamp":1785410315315,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":25,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"14","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]],"date-time":"2026-07-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1783900800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100009687","name":"Wroclaw Medical University","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["SUBZ.A510.26.075"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["SUBZ.A510.26.075"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100009687","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"award":["SUBZ.A510.26.075"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["SUBZ.A510.26.075"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/01qpw1b93","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Objectives: Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure intended to improve skin quality through controlled mechanical stimulation of the dermis; however, objective data on its effects remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate regional changes in skin hydration and firmness after a series of microneedling treatments of the neck and d\u00e9collet\u00e9 using corneometry, indentometry, and patient-reported outcomes. Methods: The study included 30 female patients who underwent three microneedling sessions performed at 4-week intervals. Instrumental measurements (corneometry and indentometry) and photographic documentation were obtained before treatment initiation and 4 weeks after completion of the treatment series. Statistical analysis included linear mixed models (LMMs), Spearman\u2019s rank correlation, and Friedman\u2019s test for repeated measurements. Results: Microneedling produced heterogeneous responses depending on anatomical location. In corneometry analyses excluding the control point, a significant increase in hydration was observed only at point 4, while no significant changes were detected at the remaining treatment sites. Similarly, indentometry demonstrated a localized improvement in firmness exclusively at point 4, reflected by decreased indentation values after treatment. In models including the control point, no generalized time effect was observed for either corneometry or indentometry; however, significant effects of anatomical location and location-by-time interactions persisted, indicating site-dependent variability in treatment response. Age was not associated with global treatment outcomes; however, a significant age-by-location interaction was identified for indentometry. No significant correlations were found between objective instrumental measurements and subjective assessments of hydration or firmness, despite most participants reporting perceived clinical improvement. Additionally, the depth at which pinpoint bleeding occurred increased significantly across subsequent treatment sessions. Conclusions: Microneedling of the neck and d\u00e9collet\u00e9 resulted in localized rather than generalized instrumental skin changes, with treatment response strongly influenced by anatomical location. Objective measurements did not correlate with patient-reported improvement, highlighting the complexity of assessing esthetic treatment outcomes. However, the results should be treated cautiously due to the exploratory nature of this study.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm15145480","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,14]],"date-time":"2026-07-14T02:34:44Z","timestamp":1783996484000},"page":"5480","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Exploratory Prospective Assessment of Instrumental Skin Changes and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Microneedling of the Neck and D\u00e9collet\u00e9"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"given":"Justyna","family":"Paj\u0105k-Majewska","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"University Centre of General Dermatology and Oncodermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ma\u0142gorzata","family":"Ponikowska","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Centre of General Dermatology and Oncodermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1717-4280","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Danuta","family":"Nowicka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Centre of General Dermatology and Oncodermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Paj\u0105k, J., Szepietowski, J.C., and Nowicka, D. (2022). Prevention of Ageing\u2014The Role of Micro-Needling in Neck and Cleavage Rejuvenation: A Narrative Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19159055"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e12714","DOI":"10.1111\/dth.12714","article-title":"Is skin microneedling a good alternative method of various skin defects removal","volume":"31","author":"Rotsztejn","year":"2018","journal-title":"Dermatol. Ther."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"397","DOI":"10.1097\/DSS.0000000000001248","article-title":"Microneedling: A Review and Practical Guide","volume":"44","author":"Alster","year":"2018","journal-title":"Dermatol. Surg."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"439","DOI":"10.5114\/ada.2025.155419","article-title":"Micro-needling: Current State of Knowledge and Clinical Applications: A Review","volume":"42","author":"Ciozda","year":"2025","journal-title":"Postep. Dermatol. Alergol."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"289","DOI":"10.2147\/CCID.S142450","article-title":"Review of Applications of Microneedling in Dermatology","volume":"10","author":"Iriarte","year":"2017","journal-title":"Clin. Cosmet. Investig. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"308","article-title":"Microneedling in All Skin Types: A Review","volume":"16","author":"Bonati","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Drugs Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"45","article-title":"A Systematic Review Examining the Potential Adverse Effects of Microneedling","volume":"14","author":"Gowda","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Clin. Aesthet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jeong, S.-Y., Park, J.-H., Lee, Y.-S., Kim, Y.-S., Park, J.-Y., and Kim, S.-Y. (2020). The Current Status of Clinical Research Involving Microneedles: A Systematic Review. Pharmaceutics, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmaceutics12111113"},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"990","article-title":"Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid-Based Gel of Non-Animal Origin for Skin Rejuvenation: Face, Hand, and D\u00e9colletage","volume":"12","author":"Streker","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Drugs Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3418","DOI":"10.1111\/jocd.15872","article-title":"Efficacy of Combined Treatment with Human Adipose Tissue Stem Cell-Derived Exosome-Containing Solution and Microneedling for Facial Skin Aging: A 12-Week Prospective, Randomized, Split-Face Study","volume":"22","author":"Park","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e13963","DOI":"10.1111\/dth.13963","article-title":"Effects of Hyaluronic Acid Injected Using the Mesogun Injector with Stamp-Type Microneedle on Skin Hydration","volume":"33","author":"Choi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Dermatol. Ther."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3974","DOI":"10.1111\/jocd.16547","article-title":"Evaluation of the Performance and Safety of a New Micro-Needle Technology in Comparison with the Classic Needle on the Antiaging Effects of a Biorevitalizing Solution: A Randomized Split Face\/Neck Study","volume":"23","author":"Boca","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"578","DOI":"10.1111\/jocd.12244","article-title":"A Potential Relationship between Skin Hydration and Stamp-Type Microneedle Intradermal Hyaluronic Acid Injection in Middle-Aged Male Face","volume":"15","author":"Seok","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1421","DOI":"10.1097\/01.prs.0000304612.72899.02","article-title":"Percutaneous Collagen Induction Therapy: An Alternative Treatment for Scars, Wrinkles, and Skin Laxity","volume":"121","author":"Aust","year":"2008","journal-title":"Plast. Reconstr. Surg."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"244","DOI":"10.4103\/2229-5178.185468","article-title":"Microneedling: Advances and Widening Horizons","volume":"7","author":"Singh","year":"2016","journal-title":"Indian Dermatol. Online J."},{"key":"ref_16","unstructured":"Litchman, G., Nair, P.A., Badri, T., and Kelly, S.E. (2026, March 30). Microneedling, StatPearls, Available online: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK459344\/."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1361","DOI":"10.1111\/ijd.12761","article-title":"Multiple Microneedling Sessions for Minimally Invasive Facial Rejuvenation: An Objective Assessment","volume":"54","author":"Barakat","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"616","DOI":"10.1213\/ANE.0000000000001422","article-title":"Lidocaine Impairs Proliferative and Biosynthetic Functions of Aged Human Dermal Fibroblasts","volume":"123","author":"Bentov","year":"2016","journal-title":"Anesth. Analg."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bolke, L., Schlippe, G., Ger\u00df, J., and Voss, W. (2019). A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and Density: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blind Study. Nutrients, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu11102494"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"291","DOI":"10.1111\/jocd.12174","article-title":"The Effect of Oral Collagen Peptide Supplementation on Skin Moisture and the Dermal Collagen Network: Evidence from an Ex Vivo Model and Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials","volume":"14","author":"Asserin","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Cosmet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e13384","DOI":"10.1111\/srt.13384","article-title":"Use of a Novel Indentometer to Evaluate Skin Stiffness in Healthy and Diseased Human Skin","volume":"29","author":"Ivanova","year":"2023","journal-title":"Skin Res. Technol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Koch, V., and Wilke, J. (2022). Reliability of a New Indentometer Device for Measuring Myofascial Tissue Stiffness. J. Clin. Med., 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm11175194"},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"Schleip, R., and Bartsch, K. (2021). (Second) Mechanical Assessment. Fascia in Sport and Movement, Handspring Publishing Limited."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"199","DOI":"10.1111\/ics.12453","article-title":"Adenosine-Loaded Dissolving Microneedle Patches to Improve Skin Wrinkles, Dermal Density, Elasticity and Hydration","volume":"40","author":"Kang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int. J. Cosmet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"349","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0846.2012.00650.x","article-title":"The Influences of Skin Viscoelasticity, Hydration Level and Aging on the Formation of Wrinkles: A Comprehensive and Objective Approach","volume":"19","author":"Choi","year":"2013","journal-title":"Skin Res. Technol."}],"container-title":["Journal of Clinical Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/15\/14\/5480\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,14]],"date-time":"2026-07-14T03:00:46Z","timestamp":1783998046000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/15\/14\/5480"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]]},"references-count":25,"journal-issue":{"issue":"14","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7]]}},"alternative-id":["jcm15145480"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jcm15145480","relation":{},"ISSN":["2077-0383"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2077-0383","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]]}}}