Which would you recommend; Dermapen vs. fractional laser for acne scarring? (photos)
Doctor Answers 9
I have been performing scar revision for nearly a decade now, and before the use of fractional lasers such as Fraxel, Profractional and CO2 CORE, Active Fx etc... , I did use skin rolling, especially on darker skin types.
First of all I absolutely agree with Dr Rapaport with his answer- ALWAYS treat the SCAR and not find a treatment to suit you. This gives best results.
Lasers not only break down the scars (as do deep Dermapen), but also denature collagen via the use of heat, this controlled heat stimulates cells to lay down new, and fresh collagen, and hence in most cases out performs Dermapen. (Exceptions include v v dark skin, but then we have erbium for this). If you visit acnespecialists.com.au I may have some old photos of skin needling, but 99% of the time I use other lasers and procedures to get my scars sorted.
Why do we offer Dermapen then, if other treatments are better? It really comes down to pricing and what the patient wants. We thus cater for all budgets and needs, but best advice is always given first
Regards
Dr Davin Lim
Laser and cosmetic dermatologist
BRISBANE, Australia
UPATE-As of Jan 2016, my provisional trials of INFINI RF MICRONEEDLING now makes this my favourite treatment for rolling, mixed, atrophic and tethered scars, as well as small to medium pores. I have started using this system in Sept 2015, and the results for these type of scars are great. This is not just micro needling but energy based micro needling
Cheers
Davin Lim
Large pores respond best to Fraxel erbium (restore). Combination therapy is often better than a single modality. ,
Hope that helps.
Learn more: http://www.acnescarnj.com
Thank you for your question. It's difficult to say if one is better than the other as the laser offers many other benefits that microneedling doesn't. However, if improvement in your acne scars is your goal, and if you're on a budget, microneedling is the way to go. Having professional dermapen treatments at the highest setting over 5-6 sessions will give you 30-40% improvement in the acne scars on the entire face. I would consider performing Bellafill first into all of the scars to maximize the scars before microneedling to get the best results. If you have deep icepick scars that don't improve when you pull the skin apart, then you want those removed surgically first, then have the Bellafill, then have the professional microneedling performed. Hope that helps.
Learn more: http://www.northsideplasticsurgery.com/cosmetic-skin-rejuvenation-atlanta/dermal-fillers/bellafill/
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Fraxel laser will yield much better results for acne scars over Dermapen. Fraxel will also improve the pore size and texture of the skin as well. There are times that a combination of lasers or treatments are needed. You may also need Restylane injected into the acne scars to plump the area. Please consult a board certified dermatologist with experience with Fraxel and acne scar treatments.
Learn more: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/acne-scar-treatment
Microneedling is best for milder
scars.
A dermaroller or other microneedling treatment can improve the appearance of
shallow, diffuse acne scarring along with improving all-over skin tone and
texture. For very deep acne scars, I would recommend combining microneedling
with another treatment such as dermal fillers, laser resurfacing or scar
treatment, including scar excision. In some cases, combining microneedling with
a regimen of other procedures may give you the best results. Since some of the
treatments you’ve tried already are actually more aggressive than
microneedling, I’m not sure you’ll get the results you hope for from a
dermaroller.
Learn more: http://www.motykiemedspa.com/
Lasers, mainly the fractional lasers as well as the fractional RF devices (eMatrix and soon the Venus Viva) as well as the fractionated RF microneedling devices like the EndyMed Intensif will all work on these acne scars that you show in your photo. Each one will have some downtime, more so when we talk about ablative fractional lasers, but the results with these for acne scars are proven and tried so I would find a physician in your area who does these, learn about them, and what the best option will be for you.
Learn more: http://www.goldskincare.com/laser-skin-resurfacing-nashville-tn/
Not all acne scars are the same so you should have your scars evaluated to see what treatment would work best for your particular scars. The most common type of acne scar is called a rolling acne scar which looks like a wave in the skin. For these particular scars, I would recommend a combination therapy of Palomar Frax 1540 and Skinpen. You may need between 4-6 treatments. I also always recommended a skincare regimen with a few key ingredients to get your skin to optimal health before starting any treatments.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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