Acne scars are a common skin concern affecting individuals of all ages. They often appear after severe acne, when the skin’s deeper layers are damaged during the breakout. This can lead to various types of scarring, impacting an individual’s self-confidence and overall well-being.
Fortunately, effective solutions are available for reducing acne scars. Microneedling is one such treatment that has gained significant popularity for improving the appearance of acne scars and rejuvenating the skin.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that targets multiple skin concerns by stimulating collagen. It uses fine needles to create tiny punctures in the skin, triggering the body’s natural healing response and boosting collagen and elastin production. This improves skin texture and tone, reduces acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, and promotes skin rejuvenation for a fresher, healthier-looking complexion. It’s a safe and effective treatment for most skin types and can be customised to address individual needs.
To further enhance the benefits of microneedling, variations like the Secret RF microneedling treatments are available. This treatment combines traditional microneedling with radiofrequency energy, delivering heat deep into the skin to further stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. Secret RF microneedling can be particularly effective for addressing deeper wrinkles, acne scars, and skin laxity.
How Does Microneedling Work for Acne Scars?
Microneedling works on acne scars by initiating a controlled healing response within the skin. When the fine needles create micro-injuries, they effectively break down old scar tissue that contributes to the uneven texture and appearance of acne scars. This disruption of the scar tissue triggers the body’s natural healing mechanisms, promoting the growth of new, healthy skin cells and collagen.
As the skin heals, it produces new collagen and elastin fibres, which fill in the depressed areas of acne scars, such as pitted and rolling scars. This results in a smoother, more even skin texture and a significant reduction in scar visibility.
Microneedling can be combined with other treatments, such as skin boosters or chemical peels, to accelerate skin rejuvenation. Skin boosters contain hyaluronic acid and other beneficial ingredients that hydrate and nourish the skin, further improving skin texture, tone, and overall radiance.
How Long Does Microneedling Take To Work on Acne Scars?
It’s important to note that the timeframe for seeing results from microneedling for acne scars can vary depending on individual factors such as skin type, the severity of scarring, and overall health.
Generally, noticeable improvement in moderate acne scarring can be seen after 3-6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. However, those with more severe scarring may require a longer treatment course and may not see optimal results for up to 6 months.
Who is Suitable for Microneedling?
While microneedling can effectively treat acne scars, it’s not suitable for everyone. The suitability of microneedling often depends on the type and severity of an individual’s acne scars.
Here are some common types of acne scars:
- Ice pick scars: Deep, narrow scars that resemble small puncture wounds.
- Boxcar scars: Wider and shallow with sharp edges.
- Rolling scars: Broad, shallow scars with sloping edges, giving the skin a rolling or undulating appearance.
- Keloid scars: Raised, thick scars that grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound.
- Hypertrophic scars: Raised scars that stay within the boundaries of the original wound.
Microneedling is generally suitable for individuals with atrophic acne scars, which are depressed or indented scars like ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars. It can help to stimulate collagen production and remodel the skin, reducing the depth and visibility of these scars.
However, microneedling may not be suitable for individuals with keloid or hypertrophic scars as the procedure can potentially worsen the scars.
If you’re considering microneedling for acne scars, it’s crucial to consult with a qualified specialist like Dr. Gerard Ee. They can assess your skin type, scar type, and medical history to determine if microneedling is the right treatment option for you.
Is Skin Needling Worth It for Acne Scars?
While microneedling, also known as skin needling, is a popular and effective treatment for acne scars, whether it is worth it ultimately depends on individual factors and expectations. It’s essential to consider your desired results, the severity of your scarring, your financial situation, and your overall treatment goals.
Microneedling can offer significant improvements but may not completely eliminate scars. Having realistic expectations and discussing your goals with a qualified practitioner is thus crucial.
Microneedling Procedure Details
Here’s what you can expect during the procedure:
Before the Procedure:
The first step in any treatment is to consult with a qualified practitioner. This is crucial to assess your skin type, acne scar type, and medical history to determine if microneedling is suitable for you. You’ll also have the opportunity to discuss your expectations and any concerns.
During the Procedure:
Once you’re ready for the treatment, the procedure itself is relatively straightforward:
- Cleansing: The treatment area will be thoroughly cleansed to remove any makeup, dirt, or oil.
- Numbing Cream: A numbing cream will then be applied to the treatment area to minimise any discomfort during the procedure.
- Microneedling Device Application: After the numbing cream has taken effect, the practitioner will use a microneedling device with a sterile, disposable needle cartridge to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. The depth of the needles will be adjusted based on your individual needs and treatment goals.
The procedure is usually completed within 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the area being treated.
Your practitioner may apply a soothing serum or combine the treatment with a skin booster after to enhance the effects of the procedure.
Potential Benefits and Side Effects of Microneedling
As with any cosmetic procedure, microneedling has potential benefits and side effects. Understanding these can help you make an informed decision about whether this treatment is right for you.
Potential Benefits
Microneedling offers a range of benefits for those seeking to improve their skin’s appearance and health:
- Reduced appearance of acne scars: Microneedling is highly effective in reducing the appearance of various types of acne scars.
- Improved skin texture and tone: By stimulating collagen and elastin production, microneedling helps to create smoother, more even skin texture and tone.
- Stimulated collagen production: The micro-injuries created during microneedling trigger the body’s natural healing response, increasing collagen production. This can help to improve the skin’s firmness and elasticity.
- Minimal downtime: Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure with minimal downtime, allowing individuals to return to their normal activities within a day or two.
Possible Side Effects
While microneedling is generally safe, temporary side effects, such as redness, swelling and tenderness, may occur. However, these side effects usually subside within a few days.
Some pinpoint bleeding may also occur during the procedure, but it is typically minimal and stops quickly. Lastly, although rare, there is a slight risk of infection with any procedure involving needles. However, this risk is minimised when performed in a reputable clinic with high hygiene standards and proper aftercare.
Results and Recovery
One of the appealing aspects of microneedling is that it offers gradual, natural-looking improvements with minimal downtime. However, it’s essential to have realistic expectations about the timeline for results and the recovery process.
How Soon Can Results Be Seen?
While some improvement of acne scars may be noticeable after the first session, significant changes usually take a few weeks to months to become apparent. This is because collagen production and skin remodelling are gradual processes.
Multiple sessions are typically recommended for optimal results, usually 4-6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. The results are not immediate but will continue to improve over time as your skin regenerates and produces new collagen.
How Long Do Results Last?
Microneedling results can last for several months to years, depending on individual factors such as age, skin type, lifestyle, and the severity of the acne scars. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, protecting your skin from sun damage, and following a consistent skincare routine can help to prolong the results.
Downtime
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure with minimal downtime. Most people can return to their normal activities within a day or two. Your practitioner will provide post-treatment care instructions, including using sun protection, gentle hydrating skincare, and avoiding makeup or exfoliants a few days after the treatment.
Microneedling for Acne Scars with Dr Gerard Ee
Microneedling is a safe and effective treatment option for individuals seeking to reduce the appearance of acne scars and achieve smoother, healthier skin.
If you’re considering microneedling for acne scars, consult with a qualified and experienced practitioner like Dr. Gerard Ee. He offers a comprehensive range of acne scar removal treatments in Singapore, including laser therapy, subcisions, and more.
