Microneedling Combined With Biomimetic Peptides for Burn Scar Improvement: A Prospective Study
Francisco Hernández Gómez Crespo, Noury Adel, Miguel Rubio Henaine, Karen Dominguez Marchan, Francisco Llano, Diego Ivan Briseno Torres, Jesus Alejandro Lopez-Lara, Gabriela Yareli Zavala Resendiz, Ricardo Villaseñor Domínguez, Cintia Peña Pandura, Alexander Nguyen, Jesper Thulesen, Ida Vega ThulesenBackground:
Hypertrophic scarring commonly follows burn injury, resulting from persistent inflammation, abnormal fibroblast activity, and excessive extracellular matrix deposition, leading to functional limitation and aesthetic impairment. Despite multimodal management, outcomes remain variable. Biomimetic peptides can modulate cellular pathways involved in tissue repair, whereas microneedling enhances transdermal delivery and stimulates dermal remodeling.
Methods:
This prospective, single-arm, interventional, before-and-after clinical study evaluated patients with hypertrophic burn scars treated with microneedling-assisted delivery of biomimetic peptides. Participants underwent 5 treatment sessions at 12-week intervals, followed by a final follow-up assessment 12 weeks after the last session (week 60). Scar characteristics were assessed at baseline and during follow-up using validated instruments, including the Vancouver Scar Scale and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Scar-related symptoms and functional limitation were also recorded. Safety was monitored through prospective reporting of adverse events. Pre- and posttreatment outcomes were compared within subjects.
Results:
Following therapy, improvement was observed across multiple scar domains, including pigmentation, pliability, thickness, and vascularity, reflected by reductions in Vancouver Scar Scale and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale observer scores. Patient-reported outcomes showed parallel improvements in discomfort, pruritus, and perceived stiffness, accompanied by gains in functional mobility. No serious adverse events or treatment discontinuations occurred.
Conclusions:
Microneedling-assisted biomimetic peptide therapy was associated with meaningful improvements in scar appearance and patient-reported function in hypertrophic burn scars. This minimally invasive approach may complement comprehensive scar rehabilitation. Controlled studies are needed to confirm efficacy and refine protocols.