Will microneedling with some growth factor help recover the damaged skin? (Photo)

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Microneedling with or without PRP may help by stimulating collagen production. I would also consider fractional lasers and RF microneedling devices. Finally, I would consider adding retinol to your nightly skincare routine.

Microneedling with or without PRP may help. I would also consider Fraxel 1550 laser and any of the microneedling with RF devices. You will need to be patient and you and your doctor should evaluate for improvement with each treatment. It takes time to see results, so I would wait a bit between treatments to be sure your seeing improvement. If you and your doctor are not seeing what your doctor expects, you can switch treatment modalities.  Don’t forget good skincare. A topical retinoid as well as some of the growth factor products will also help after your procedures. Make sure you see a board certified specialist with all of the above technologies at their disposal. That way you’re not getting a treatment only because it’s the only thing that provider has access too. Good luck!

Yes it can, however in this area the skin is vvv thin, made worse with your CS (steroid use). Now, the size of needle for microneedling is large, even bigger if RF is used. In your case I would opt for a small beam laser- diode or thulium delivered, or low power Co2 laser that has a small spot size. Erbium lasers such as ProFractional and HALO have a large spot, so not advisable. 2-4 sessions of laser, add tretinoin at night at home, and supplement with new dermal fillers such as Volite and that should get you there. Not a hard job, however it does take time as neck treatments need to be gradual and gentle. Microneedling has come a long way over the past few years and can help skin via several methods. Firstly it releases cytokines and growth factors in the epidermis and dermis- the top and bottom layers of your skin. This in turn remodels scars and the dermal layer of the skin. Additionally needles can break up scars themselves. This leads to new collagen formation, and in practice can provide limited skin rejuvenation. 



Microneedling is both user dependent and method driven. Simple needles can be used, growth factors can be added after the procedure, including PRP, or controlled heating during the procedure. This controlled heating is delivered via RF, and is called RF microneedling. RF can then be delivered via insulated or insulated needles. Even the energy level, depths, density, pulse duration and so many other variables can be controlled. This together with the added benefits of growth factor infusion makes this one of the most complex procedures in procedural dermatology. I use everything from Dermapen, though to newer generation insulated and non-insulated devices including INFINI micro-needling radiofrequency, Intensif and others. Newer generation devices can provide an added advantage in some, but not all patients. In my practice, I combine microneedling with many different forms of energy devices, depending on the expectations of the patient. Tailored microneedling combination will always give the best results. 



Like most procedures, its 80% skill level of the specialist and 20% dependent on the brand of the energy device- microneedling system. All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Brisbane. Australia. Realself Advisory Board Member