While acne feels like one of the worst skin problems you can deal with, it seems to be even worse when you are forced to deal with acne scars which can last a lifetime. Not every acne occurrence ends in scars, and not every person gets affected by them. If you don’t know what acne scars are, they aren’t a little mark that will simply fade away with time. These are scars that are indented and form below the outermost layer of the skin. The scars prevent the skin from being able to regenerate correctly leaving you with uneven texture, aka scars.
Fortunately, there are treatments available to help reduce the appearance of acne scars, overtime. Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is becoming a popular treatment to help combat acne scars. It also helps treat wrinkles, stretch marks and may even encourage hair growth.
According Dr. Abigail Donnelly, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, “Microneedling involves the repeated insertion of very fine, short smooth needles into the skin for the purposes of rejuvenation. While needles may sound scary, they are actually more like extremely smooth cones creating carefully controlled pricks that enter only into the upper dermis, or second layer of skin. It works well to improve sunken areas on the skin such as atrophic acne scars or sunken traumatic scars, or to smooth lines and wrinkles.”
How it Works
“First, an anesthetic cream is applied to your skin to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Once the skin is numb, it is thoroughly cleansed, and a serum or other product is applied to lubricate your skin to allow the device to glide more smoothly,” added Dr. Donnelly. “As the device is moving across your skin it creates tiny holes in the surface. Microneedling is commonly used in combination with other treatments like topical anti-aging serums or platelet rich plasma therapy. The process typically takes less than 30 minutes, and afterward, your skin can pink or red, similar to a sunburn.”
Results for Acne Scars
On a short-term basis, microneedling plumps the skin and gives it a radiant glow for weeks to months post treatment. Long-term, it is best to receive multiple sessions over the course of a few months to improve the appearance of acne scars.
Don’t Try this At Home
While home devices for microneedling are available, we strongly advise only having this treatment done under the supervision of a board-certified dermatologist. When performing at home you increase the risk of infection and additional scarring.
Interested in Microneedling for Acne Scars?
Not all Forefront Dermatology locations and physicians offer microneedling, but many do and have been for several years. Find a dermatologist near you today that offers microneedling.
