Once you have gotten your acne under control, acne scarring can be another big problem that you wish to get rid of as soon as possible. Acne scarring always appears after acne has gone either in the form of redness, hyperpigmentation which is called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), or indentation. The redness and PIH can usually fade away on its own, but can take quite some time, so we normally recommended to speed up the process by combining the appropriate skin care products with laser treatments such as Laser Genesis and/or Pico Genesis. For indented scars, which also seems to be another punishment to your skin as it can look rough, uneven in texture and more undulated in certain angles and lighting which can give a negative impact on self confidence.
Skin needling is the best choice of treatment to go to as it is well-known for collagen induction treatment, and has been used to reduce all types of acne scars especially indented scarring which is safe for all skin types which is backed up by many researches. Clinica Lase clinicians are trained to perform the treatment safely and have been performing the treatment for a long time, so you can be rest assured that you are with a professional and in a safe hand.
What causes the scarring associated with acne?
Acne scarring is caused by inflammation on the skin. Genetics, gender, age, lifestyle factors and systemic are risk factors of developing acne scarring and inflammation. Inflamed pustules, papules, cyst, abscesses and nodules can progress into an erosion and ulceration which lead to various types of acne scarring including redness, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and extensive indented scars like ice-pick scar, rolling scar and boxcar scar.
At Clinica Lase, we use an FDA approved device called Skin Pen to treat various types of acne scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and stretch marks. Micro needles from the device create controlled skin injuries that break down the old fibrosis in the scar tissue which then sends our skin to a wound healing process where our skin begins to produce new collagen and elastin resulting in less appearance of acne scars, fine lines, and pores including improving skin textures and plumping our skin.
The skin pen device allows clinicians to alter the needle depth to achieve optimal outcomes according to the skin conditions and treatment areas, so we can not only treat the face but also acne scars on the body such as the back and neck. Moreover, the skin pen or micro needling treatment does not have any heat involved which means that this treatment is suitable for any skin type.
The science behind skin needling for acne scars
Many research papers demonstrate that skin needling reduces the appearance of acne scarring by triggering new collagen and elastin through 3 stages of wound healing processes. The inflammation process starts immediately then the growth factors will be released in the second stage to support the proliferation of fibroblast and the production of elastin and collagen. In the last stage which is called the remodeling stage, the collagen is formed and continues to do so for months after the treatment.
Are there any risks associated with skin needling?
There is plenty of research on the efficiency and safety of skin needling, which found that it is safe for all skin types and significantly improves the appearance of acne scarring, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture. The treatment is well tolerable with minimal pain and discomfort during the treatment. You will experience a little warm sensation with redness immediately after the treatment, then tightness and dryness will develop 2-3 days post-treatment. The downtime can last for 7-14 days before new beautiful skin shows up.
However, as microneedling creates open channels in the skin, performing this treatment in a safe and sterile method is important to avoid the risk of infection, therefore, choosing a reliable professional clinic with a well-trained and experienced clinician is crucial. At Clinica Lase, your safety is our first priority so contact us to discuss further details on how to prepare your skin for the treatment.
How long does Microneedling take to work on acne scars?
Normally you can start noticing improvements as early as 2 weeks after treatment, however it does take around 3 to 6 months for your body to build collagen. Therefore, the treatment effect will progress continuously for up to 6 months post treatment.
Treatment number may vary depending on severity of the acne scars and other factors as well as everyone’s skin is different.
Do acne scars come back after Microneedling?
No, acne scars will not come back after microneedling, however, if your acne is not under control, new acne scars will appear as mentioned above the inflammatory nodules, pustules, cysts, and abscess are responsible for acne scarring.
Will Microneedling work on old acne scars?
Yes, micro needling will help to break down fibrotic scar tissue that contributes to the indented appearance and also create volume by stimulating collagen production. As a result, microneedling will help to smoothen and minimise the appearance of acne scars.
Where can I get skin needling for my acne scars?
If you are struggling with acne scarring and don’t know how to start, reach out to our team today.