Does microneedling help reduce the appearance of hypertrophic scars or make them worse?

Question

Does microneedling help or harm hypertrophic scars? And how so?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Scars like these can be improved with a combination of vascular lasers like Yellow laser, Aerolase, PDL, Vbeam and Excel V, microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), skin lightening, peels, and skin care. Sun protection is essential, and Silagen gel should be used twice daily with Jan Marini BioShield. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a scarring expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Mitchell Schwartz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The treatment of scars with microneedling is much more effective when combined with application of human growth-factor serum during the treatment. In my office, we use the ProCell Therapies system which combines motorized micro-needling with concentrated growth factor serums made from human bone marrow stem cells and are seeing excellent results in the treatment of scars. Because microneedling enhances penetration of topically applied medications, we have also seen good results treating hypertrophic scars by combining microneedling with a corticosteroid (triamcinolone).

Does microneedling help reduce the appearance of hypertrophic scars or make them worse?

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Does microneedling help reduce the appearance of hypertrophic scars or make them worse?

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Everything you need to know about Microneedling

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