For most people, acne is just a hormonal annoyance. It’s painful and embarrassing, but it usually clears up in your teens or early twenties. For some people, however, acne can have long-term effects that last well past the teenage years—and one of those long-term effects is scarring.
Acne scars can be shallow or deep, raised or indented; no matter what scar you have, there are ways to make them less noticeable. Microneedling is one of these methods: it creates tiny punctures on the skin’s surface that cause bleeding and increase collagen production while reducing inflammation and redness simultaneously.
What is microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure involving using a derma roller or a derma pen to create tiny punctures or microchannels in the skin. These micro-channels trigger the body’s natural healing response, producing new collagen and elastin essential for healthy, youthful-looking skin.
During a Microneedling procedure, the skin is numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Then, a small handheld device with multiple tiny needles is passed over the skin, creating small punctures that penetrate the top layer of the skin. These punctures stimulate the body’s natural healing process, producing new collagen and elastin.
The tiny punctures created by the needles also allow for better absorption of topical skin care products, as they can penetrate deeper into the skin. It allows for better hydration, improved skin texture and tone, and reduced appearance of scars and fine lines.
What are microneedling benefits?
There are many benefits of Microneedling for the skin, including:
Improvement of fine lines and wrinkles: Microneedling helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.
Reduction of hyperpigmentation: Microneedling can help reduce hyperpigmentation’s appearance by stimulating cell turnover and improving the absorption of skin-lightening agents.
Improvement of skin texture and tone: Microneedling can enhance the skin’s general tone and texture, giving it a smoother, younger-looking appearance.
Boosts absorption of skin care products: The tiny punctures created by the needles allow for better absorption of topical skin care products, making them more effective.
Reduction of acne scars: Microneedling effectively reduces the appearance of acne scars. The microchannels created by the needles stimulate collagen production, which helps smooth out the skin’s texture.
What causes acne scars?
Acne scars are caused by inflammation in the skin, which can occur when the pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. When the body tries to heal this inflammation, it can sometimes result in scarring. The risk of developing acne scars can be increased by factors such as picking at acne lesions, genetics, and delayed treatment of acne.
There are different types of acne scars, including:
- Ice pick scars are deep, narrow, usually small, circular, or oval-shaped. They are typically caused by severe acne and can be challenging to treat.
- Boxcar scars are shallow or deep indentations with steep, defined edges resembling chickenpox scars. Both severe and moderate acne can cause them.
- Rolling scars are broad, shallow indentations with sloping edges that create a wavy appearance on the skin. They are usually caused by long-term acne and are more common on the cheeks and temples.
How can microneedling treat acne scars?
Microneedling can be an effective treatment for acne scars. The microchannels created by the needles stimulate the body’s natural healing process, producing new collagen and elastin in the skin.
The increased production of collagen and elastin helps smooth out the skin’s texture, reducing the appearance of acne scars. The tiny punctures created by the needles also allow for better absorption of topical skin care products, which can further enhance the effects of Microneedling for acne scars.
Microneedling can also help break up scar tissue and improve blood flow to the affected area, leading to better healing and a reduction in the appearance of scars.
How safe is microneedling for acne scars?
Microneedling is generally considered safe, but as with any cosmetic procedure, there are risks and potential side effects. These can include:
- Redness and irritation: After Microneedling, it is common to experience some redness and irritation in the treated area. It usually subsides within a few days.
- Swelling: Swelling is also a common side effect of Microneedling, but it usually goes away within a few days.
- Infection: There is a small risk of disease with Microneedling, but this can be minimized by ensuring that the treatment is performed in a clean, sterile environment.
- Allergic reactions: Some people may experience an allergic reaction to the numbing cream or other products used during Microneedling.
- Hyperpigmentation: In rare cases, Microneedling can cause hyperpigmentation, an increase in the skin’s pigment that can lead to darkening.
What are some precautions to take before and after microneedling?
Safety measures should be followed before and after microneedling to reduce the risk of problems and guarantee the best outcomes.
Avoid sun exposure: It is crucial to avoid sun exposure for at least 24 hours before and after Microneedling, as sunburn can increase the risk of side effects.
Stop using certain products: Certain skin care products, such as retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids, should be avoided for at least a week before Microneedling to minimize the risk of irritation.
Stay hydrated: Before and after microneedling, drinking enough water can assist in keeping the skin hydrated and promote proper healing.
Choose a reputable provider: To minimize the risk of complications; it is crucial to choose a reputable provider who is experienced in performing Microneedling and uses clean, sterile equipment.
Treat acne scars without surgery. Microneedling could be a good option for you.
You’ll need to get microneedling treatments once or twice a month for six months to a year to see results. The severity of your acne scars will determine how long they take to fade away.
After each treatment, your acne scars will look worse before they start getting better. The needles open the skin and allow it to heal from the inside out. You will likely experience some redness and swelling after each treatment that usually subsides within 24 hours.
Microneedling is a popular and effective treatment for acne scars because it creates tiny punctures in your skin that cause bleeding. The blood vessels release growth factors that trigger collagen production, which helps heal your scars. Contact us at Iconique Medical Aesthetics today for your microneedling treatment!
