NCTF® 135HA + Microneedling: The Science Behind SKYN’s Favourite Pairing

Why Is NCTF® 135HA + Microneedling So Popular?

Some treatment combinations trend because of clever marketing. Others trend because the science stacks up. NCTF® 135HA paired with microneedling belongs firmly in the second category. It’s popular for its success as a superior skin-quality treatment in the SKYN clinic right now.

Here’s what’s actually happening beneath the surface, and why this pairing has earned its reputation.

Collagen Production: Older Skin Doesn’t Renew Like It Used To

From around our mid-twenties, collagen production declines by roughly 1% each year.

Fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, become slower and less responsive. The result shows up gradually: fine lines settle in, pores appear larger, skin loses its bounce, and that lit-from-within quality becomes harder to hold onto.

Skincare supports the surface. But meaningful change in skin quality happens in the dermis, and that’s where this treatment works.

What Microneedling Does For Your Skin

Microneedling, clinically known as percutaneous collagen induction (PCI), uses fine sterile needles to create thousands of controlled micro-channels in the skin. These micro-injuries are precise and temporary, but the skin doesn’t know that. It responds the way it responds to any injury: by launching a full wound-healing cascade.

That cascade happens in three phases:

• Inflammation: growth factors are released, signalling the skin to begin repair
• Proliferation: fibroblasts are activated and begin producing fresh Type I and Type III collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans
• Remodelling: over the following weeks, new collagen matures and integrates, progressively firming and smoothing the skin

Published reviews of PCI support its role in improving photoaged skin, fine lines, acne scarring and skin texture, which is why microneedling has remained a clinic staple for decades, rather than a trend.

Enter NCTF® 135HA: The Multi-nutrient Upgrade

This is where the pairing gets interesting. NCTF® 135HA (by FILLMED Laboratoires, Paris) is a polyrevitalising solution. NCTF stands for New Cellular Treatment Factor; its power comes from how it nourishes the skin from within.

It combines non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid with a complex makeup of vitamins, amino acids, coenzymes, minerals and nucleic acids, the raw materials skin cells use to function, repair and renew.

Used as a topical glide during microneedling, NCTF® 135HA is delivered directly into the micro-channels the needles create. It reaches the level of the skin where fibroblasts are already being activated by the treatment itself.

In effect: microneedling switches the collagen factory on, and NCTF® 135HA supplies it.

What Does Research Of NCTF® Show?

NCTF® has been studied for over a decade, in vitro and in clinical trials. The published data is worth knowing:

• In laboratory studies, NCTF® significantly increased Type I collagen production by fibroblasts, with increases of over 100% versus control
• It measurably restored the contractile function of fibroblasts taken from wrinkled skin, helping aged cells behave more like younger ones
• In a three-month clinical trial, participants recorded significant reductions in wrinkle severity and depth, alongside measured improvements in skin hydration, tonicity, radiance and pore size, with increased dermal density visible on imaging from day 30

Separate clinical research on hyaluronic acid-based skin boosters echoes these findings, reporting improvements in superficial wrinkles and overall skin quality in randomised controlled studies.

As always, published results reflect study conditions.  Individual outcomes vary, and no specific result can be guaranteed.

What This Treatment May Address

Depending on individual skin characteristics and assessment, NCTF® 135HA + microneedling may be considered for:

• Fine lines and early wrinkles, particularly around the eyes and nasolabial area
• Dull, tired or dehydrated skin
• Enlarged pores and uneven texture
• Mild acne scarring
• Loss of firmness and elasticity
• Overall skin quality – “your skin, but better”

It’s suitable for all skin types, and because the actives are delivered through micro-channels rather than injected, treatment is comfortable with minimal downtime, typically mild redness for 24–48 hours.

What Is The Treatment Like?

Skin renewal is a biological process, not an overnight one. Early hydration and glow are often noticed within the first weeks, while collagen remodelling continues over the following months. A course of three to four sessions, spaced three to four weeks apart, is typically recommended, with maintenance sessions every three to six months depending on individual goals.

Individual Assessment Matters

As with all treatments at SKYN, NCTF® 135HA + microneedling begins with a personalised consultation, where a registered health practitioner will assess your skin, discuss your goals, and determine whether this treatment, or an alternative, is right for you. All cosmetic and medical procedures carry potential risks and side effects, which vary depending on treatment type and individual factors. These will be discussed with you before any treatment.

Book A Consultation With Tara

All treatments at SKYN require a personalised consultation, where a registered health practitioner will assess your individual needs and suitability. Outcomes vary between individuals and no specific result can be guaranteed.