Well, if you are considering microneedling for those ever-present reminders of earlier breakouts, you’re in the right place. Microneedling is a non-surgical, minimally invasive cosmetic procedure involving the use of specialized medical equipment like derma pens to create micro-injuries on your skin’s surface. The process aims to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, solving various skin concerns, including microneedling acne scars.
Before taking the plunge, here’s what you need to know about the effectiveness of microneedling on various types of acne scars and the well-documented side effects.
So what's the microneedling for acne scars results?
How Effective is Microneedling on Acne Scars?
Based on the nature of your acne scars, you may have atrophic, hypertrophic or keloid scars. Generally, hypertrophic and keloid scars are raised while atrophic scars sink in. The microneedling for acne scars results are more effective than other treatments.
Since there are three types of atrophic scars, let’s explore the success rate of microneedling in improving each.
1. Boxcar Scars
Observe the shape of your acne scars. Are they broad, rectangular, with sharp edges? These are the distinct characteristics of boxcar scars. They are usually broader in contrast to the other atrophic scars like the ice pick type, which are mostly narrow (as we shall see later).
Boxcar scars form due to severe inflammatory acne outbreaks. The formation process starts with severe inflammation destroying your skin’s collagen, leaving it vulnerable to support and volume loss during the healing process.
As the acne clears, your skin initiates the healing process, only to realize it lacks adequate collagen to fully repair the damage from severe acne. So, your skin loses volume, resulting in broad, rectangular or box-shaped depressions with clear-cut edges.
How microneedling can help
Microneedling is highly effective on boxcar scars. First, the process of puncturing the skin using tiny needles interrupts the integrity of the fibrous tissues holding the scars’ shape in place. Also, the micro-injuries trigger the skin’s natural repair process, boosting collagen and elastin production.
Over a series of microneedling procedures, you’ll notice the sharp-edged boundaries start getting smoother. The depressions fill up, too. Eventually, your skin’s surface becomes more even and smoother. How, though?
Besides your skin generating new collagen and elastin thanks to microneedling, it also increases cell turnover and boosts blood circulation.
Improved blood circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to the new cells, enhancing the skin’s repair process. In the end, your skin sheds the old cells and rejuvenates with new cells.
2. Rolling Scars
Just like the name suggests, rolling scars take the shape of a cylindrical drum rolling on a mushy ground and forming wave-like depressions. Unlike boxcar scars which vary in depth, rolling scars are shallow and wide.
Rolling scars occur as a result of severe inflammatory acne damaging the collagen and elastin fibers within the dermis layer. As your skin attempts to repair the damage, it forms scar tissue.
The scar tissue generates fibrous bands extending between the subcutaneous fatty layer and dermis. With time, the fibrous bands contract, pulling the skin above the scar tissue downwards. And, that’s why, whenever you run your fingers over the rolling scars, you feel the wavy pattern.
How microneedling can help
To start off, microneedling is also highly successful in getting rid of rolling scars. It breaks up the fibrous bands, progressively releasing the skin and allowing it to lift. Following this, your skin kick-starts the healing process, boosting collagen and elastin production.
While collagen repairs and remodels your skin, elastin improves its elasticity and resilience. As you undergo more microneedling sessions, your skin generates more collagen, elastin, and new cells, gradually filling the wave-like depressions and leaving your skin looking smoother by the day.
3. Ice Pick Scars
You can know ice pick acne scars just by how deep they go and how narrow they are. It is like an ice pick, the size of a toothpick, pricking a particular section of your skin multiple times.
They form after a severe inflammatory acne like cystic acne. During a cystic acne flare-up, large and inflamed lesions (filled with pus) penetrate deeper into your skin.
When the lesions pop or rapture, they extensively damage the elastin and collagen fibers in the dermis area. In response, your skin activates the healing mechanism but fails to repair the damage completely, resulting in ice pick scars.
The scars are often less than 2 millimeters across and run deep into your skin. Some may even reach the dermis section.
How microneedling can help
Due to their deep and narrow nature, microneedling is not that effective on ice pick scars, especially the overly deep ones. The microneedling for acne scars results: effectiveness and side effects.
Microneedling can enhance the release of collagen and elastin and successfully fill some of the depressions. However, you may need to go back for more sessions before seeing substantial results. In most cases, an experienced aesthetician recommends combining microneedling with other treatments to cut down the time it takes to treat the scars.
For instance, combining microneedling with platelet rich plasma infuses growth factors into your skin, further stimulating collagen and cell synthesis. Or, you may receive dema filler injection alongside microneedling.
Overall, ice pick scars are stubborn and, at times, you may have to switch to other solutions like laser therapy or TCA CROSS (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars). TCA CROSS involves the use of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to diminish the visibility of ice pick scars.
An expert aesthetician can tell when to consider combining microneedling with other treatments or when to consider an alternative. And, this does not apply to ice pick scars only.
Some boxcar or roller scars are stubborn, requiring you to get a microneedling procedure combined with other treatments like radiofrequency or topical products. Let’s explore the two most stubborn types of acne scars (hypertrophic and keloid scars).
How Effective is Microneedling on Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars?
The above is the real microneedling for acne scars results. If you have raised or protruding scars, they may be hypertrophic or keloid acne scars. So, how do you know which is which?
While a hypertrophic scar does not extend beyond the boundaries of an acne wound or mark, a keloid scar does. Moreover, a hypertrophic scar can, over time, reduce in size and flatten. However, a keloid scar continues to grow and expand beyond the original wound boundary.
Keloids can continue growing for months or years, forming a huge raised mass of tissue bound to cause great discomfort and affect your aesthetics.
The hypertrophic form due to prolonged inflammation and excessive collagen production. Genetics can also contribute to the formation of these scars. And, because of their nature, microneedling cannot help diminish such scars.
Remember, microneedling stimulates further collagen and elastin generation. In this case, here are some alternative treatments for you.
Alternatives to Microneedling for Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars
1. Corticosteroid injections
This is one of the most common and effective solutions for both keloid and hypertrophic scars. It involves injecting corticosteroid into the scar and the areas around the scar’s boundary.
Overall, the corticosteroids decrease collagen synthesis. They also slow down the operations of fibroblasts (the collagen-producing cells). Repeated injections progressively improve and flatten the scars, making them less noticeable.
2. Surgical removal
You can opt for a surgical procedure to directly remove keloid or hypertrophic scars. However, note that keloid scars may grow back and become even bigger. This is because the underlying collagen synthesis issue can continue producing more scar tissue.
To increase the success rate of a scar surgery, the surgeon may recommend getting corticosteroid shots or proceeding with radiation therapy. These two solutions address the collagen overproduction problem, reducing the recurrence of the scar tissue.
3. Silicone gel sheets
Silicone gel sheets can help improve both hypertrophic and keloid scars. The sheets are placed on the scars, creating a protective barrier that does not let moisture escape from the scarred area.
The hydrated environment balances collagen synthesis and accelerates scar maturation, gradually softening and flattening the scars. It may take weeks or even months for you to get the desired results.
4. Laser therapy
Laser therapy targets the scar tissues’ blood vessels. Your specialist can use different types of lasers, like fractional lasers or pulsed dye lasers (PDL), depending on the scars’ traits and your desired outcomes.
The specialist focuses laser energy on various sections of the scars, allowing it to penetrate and hit the blood vessels. This disrupts normal blood supply to the scar, flattening it over time.
Moreover, the laser energy stimulates collagen remodeling. Collagen remodeling is the process of breaking down the fibrous and dense tissue formulating the scars to initiate the formation of more organized collagen fibers. Regular sessions of laser therapy keep this process going until the scars diminish.
5. Interferon therapy
Even after trying out treatments like silicone gel sheets or corticosteroid injections, some keloid scars may prove stubborn. That’s where interferon therapy comes in. It is more like the last resort after the other treatments fail.
During an interferon therapy session, a specialist injects the keloid scars with interferons to inhibit excess collagen production and control inflammation. Interferons are signaling proteins with various roles within your immune system. And, one of those roles is inhibiting cell proliferation (the process of cell growth and generation).
Now that you understand the effectiveness of microneedling on various acne scars, including alternative solutions for specific types of acne scars, let’s explore the side effects of microneedling acne scars.
Microneedling for Acne Scars Results: Side Effects, Including Countermeasures
1. Temporary swelling and redness
Right after a microneedling procedure, it is normal to observe mild swelling and redness within the treated area. That’s because of your skin’s natural response to the micro-injuries.
Get an ice pack for the swelling coupled with anti-inflammatory skincare products, containing ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera, to clear the redness. Not forgetting, avoid harsh topical products, especially those with active ingredients such as retinoids, acids, and alcohol.
2. Bruising
Bruising is also common. It occurs whenever the microneedling needles penetrate deeply into your skin, leaving small blue or purple patches on the treated area. This happens if you have delicate skin or you undergo an intense microneedling session.
If bruising occurs, handle the bruised area gently. Avoid vigorous exercises that may stress the skin and muscles around the treated area. And, you can get some anti-inflammatory topical products to reduce the bruising.
3. Dryness and peeling
Post-microneedling, your skin heals, generates new cells, and sheds the old ones. That’s why dryness and peeling may occur. Use non-comedogenic moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated.
What’s more, look for gentle skincare products containing ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. These ones will help your skin stay healthy as the dryness and peeling period passes. Don’t forget to also drink plenty of water to support the skin’s overall rejuvenation.
4. Hyperpigmentation
Sometimes, microneedling may cause hyperpigmentation due to the trauma inflicted on the skin. The tiny needles used to create the micro-injuries may trigger overproduction of melanin, especially if you have a dark skin tone.
To address hyperpigmentation, you can use skin-lightening agents formulated with ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to assist in getting rid of the dark spots. You should also avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen.
5. Risks of infection
Even though greatly low, there are also risks of infection in case your specialist does not adhere to hygienic standards or you do not follow the aftercare directives. The micro-punctures from microneedling are not only entry points for useful topical products but also harmful bacteria.
To reduce the possibility of getting an infection, entrust a qualified professional with the microneedling procedure. Follow the post-treatment or aftercare instructions keenly. And, if the professional recommends an antibiotic cream, ensure to get it as it helps prevent infections.
6. Allergic reactions
The microneedling procedure does include the use of topical anesthetics with the potential to cause allergic reactions. The topical anesthetics may contain benzocaine, prilocaine, or lidocaine, which can cause an allergic response.
Besides topical anesthetics, some skincare products containing active substances like tretinoin and retinol can cause allergic reactions or irritation.
Informing the practitioner about your known allergies helps them decide the appropriate products for your skin. For instance, fragrance-free products or hypoallergenic ones minimize the chances of an allergic reaction.
Conclusion
Yes, microneedling for acne scars results is great. However, did you know that there are different types of acne scars and the effectiveness of microneedling for each varies?
Essentially, there are two broad categories of acne scars. That’s atrophic and hypertrophic scars. Atrophic scars form depressions on your skin while hypertrophic scars are raised. So, before you can take the plunge, explore this piece to determine whether microneedling can help with your scars.
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