Acne scars: 3 things to check before CureJet treatment

CureJet, used for treating acne scars, is a procedure that uses a high-pressure, fine liquid jet to deliver medication or ingredients into the skin without needles.

Unlike traditional injections, which use a needle to create a hole and inject the medication, CureJet uses a thin stream of liquid created by pressure that penetrates the stratum corneum and reaches the dermis.

For acne scars, particularly depressed scars or hypertrophic scars with thickened tissue, this principle delivers steroids or scar-softening ingredients into the scar tissue.

As the jet slows and spreads sideways within the dermis, a secondary loosening of the fibrous tissue pulling on the scar has also been reported.

The biggest difference lies in the size of the holes left on the skin.

The entry opening made by CureJet is about 1/3–1/4 the size of a conventional injection needle, and pain is often relatively less noticeable.

In a double-blind study of hypertrophic scars, pain scores were lower with the needle-free method than with needles, and many participants said they would choose the needle-free method again.

A study delivering steroids to keloids also reported significantly lower pain with the needle-free method.

Acne scars come in various forms, so CureJet cannot be applied equally to all types of scars.

Evidence is relatively well established for CureJet when steroids need to be delivered into thickened tissue, such as hypertrophic scars or keloids.

By contrast, depressed atrophic scars also require an approach that fills tissue or encourages regeneration, so treatment is often planned in combination with other procedures.

The use of these techniques for improving tone and texture is still a relatively new area, and the evidence base is not as well-established as that for scar treatment.

A study on a single treatment for hypertrophic scars showed that the height and flexibility of the scars improved 4 weeks after the treatment, and 3D image analysis also showed a reduction in the volume and surface area of the scars.

However, there were also items where the overall impression score did not show a significant difference, making it difficult to conclude that all aspects improved uniformly in a single instance.

In studies where corticosteroids were delivered to keloids, significant improvements were observed in both observer and patient-reported scores when the treatment was repeated at intervals of several weeks.

Treatment usually involves several sessions guided by the scar’s condition rather than just one. The exact number and intervals are determined during consultation (individual results vary).

After the CureJet procedure, you may experience side effects such as bruising, petechiae (small, pinpoint-sized hemorrhages), temporary redness or swelling, stinging, or itching.

While most cases are mild and temporary, there may be additional aspects to consider depending on the specific medication being administered.

When steroids are delivered, skin atrophy (thinning) or more visible small blood vessels may rarely occur.

The needle-free method distributes ingredients evenly, and atrophy has generally been reported less often than with needle injections. However, the risk is not absent, so assessment before and after treatment is necessary.

Conversely, if most scars are deeply depressed and atrophic, CureJet alone may be insufficient, making a plan combined with other regenerative treatments more realistic.

If you expect skin texture improvement for cosmetic purposes, we first explain that the evidence in this area is not yet established. Even if recommending treatment would increase revenue, we do not exaggerate claims where evidence is insufficient.