I am a keloid skin type specifically on my chest from acne. Will it be safe for microneedling on my face only?

Question

I have keloids on my chest only from acne. Never got keloids anywhere else despite those big acne boils popping up on my face and shoulders occasionally. I want to treat my acne scarring and hyperpigmentation on my face through microneedling but I'm scared the micro-trauma will cause keloids. Just wanted to find out if the micro pokes are enough to cause keloids due to excess collagen production? Thank you.

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

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

These need a series of treatments including lasers, injections and sometimes surgery/radiation.  Please see an expert.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Kessel Dermatology · Answer

Patients can experience keloid scarring from acne lesions (even spontaneously-believe it or not) The chest area and the nape of the neck are especially prone to keloids, even in people who heal  normally. From your inquiry, it sounds like you don’t have a keloid issue in general, meaning your skin has always healed normally after trauma...even other cystic acne lesions. It would be safe to assume then that the micro trauma from Microneedling would not be a problem.  Depending on the degree of your acne scars, combination therapy utilizing Microneedling and laser may be the best approach, as mentioned by Dr  Emer.   Of course, providing your acne has subsided. Best of luck!   Savy Guthrie, MPAS PA-C

I am a keloid skin type specifically on my chest from acne. Will it be safe for microneedling on my face only?

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I am a keloid skin type specifically on my chest from acne. Will it be safe for microneedling on my face only?

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Everything you need to know about Microneedling

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