Alison Y. Tam, DO

It is honestly probably a little bit of both types of collagen.  Microneedling is used to induce collagen stimulation but there are so many types of collagen that our bodies naturally make that to be honest, it is probably a little bit of both. I also think that depending on what you're treating (i.e., acne scars, antiaging, fine lines, etc) also differentiates what type of results should get as well as what type of collagen is induced.  It is still a good treatment if you're the right candidate.  

Everyone heals differently based on age, genetics, ethnicity, sun exposure, and the area where a mole is removed.  Normally, I have patients come back at 6 weeks for a scar check but I allow a mole removal site to heal for at least 6 months and sometimes longer depending on how they heal.  Hopefully, you have a follow up with your dermatologist for a scar check in the next few weeks. Good luck.  :)

Deep phenol peels are amazing peels.  There are many things to consider in deciding if you should do a phenol peel, TCA peel, or a fractionated laser.  Consult with a cosmetic dermatologist to decide if you actually need something as aggressive as a phenol peel, how much downtime you will need for a peel vs. laser, and if you will develop collagen production.  Collagen production occurs with fractionated lasers so that often comes into consideration as most of my patients love the added benefit of collagen production.  

There are many options available these days for skin tightening.  All laser treatments, skin tightening procedures, or chemical peels are not without risks.  If too much heat is deposited into tissue, it is possible to lose volume in the area.  But there have been millions of radiofrequency and ultrasound procedures done worldwide for skin tightening without the side effect of volume loss.  Make sure you find a reputable cosmetic dermatologist to consult with to find out if you're a good candidate for a tightening procedure.  Ask who will be doing your procedure and how much experience that person has with a tightening procedure.  

Whenever you scar from acne or trauma, a procedure usually cannot completely restore the skin to it's "pre-scarred" state.  With microneedling, you can improve the appearance of scar tissue and make the collagen remodel so that it has a nicer appearance.  I always counsel my patients that a procedure is not an "eraser" but it helps to improve the current state of your skin.  Other factors such as intrinsic and extrinsic aging continue to occur and you may need further touch ups to maintain your skin.