When is the safest time begin microneedling and/or laser treatments on facial surgical scars?

Question

Some places say to begin microneedling as soon as the scar is healed over to get the best result, yet I have also been told that intervention at this stage (6 months) can aggregate the scar and prevent it from healing. When is the safest time to begin these types of treatments on scars?

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

As far back as the late 1980s, it was already known that there was a tight window of time to perform scar  improving treatments--between weeks eight to twelve-- following wounds of all kinds (whether as a result of sugery, trauma, infection or acne) .  Back then, when scarabrasion was performed, i.e. dermabrasion performed on a developing scar,  during this time frame, there was an excellent chance of minimizing significantly the appearance of the scar. By eight weeks, wounds are considered strong enough to withstand treatments and after twelve weeks, the scars are considered "mature" and thus likely to respond optimally to treatments. These days, microneedling, rather than more aggressive dermabrasion or laserabrasions, has proven quite helpful for this purpose and engenders much less downtime. You would be wise to seek consultation and treatment sooner than later. Surgical scar revisions on the face, an area subject to much tension and movement, carries the risk of resulting in stretch scars and possible even stitch track formation. Hope this helps.

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

Phillip Chang, MD · Answer

Hi hannanorth2

Your skin will look luminous after one treatment, but we would recommend you have between 3 – 6 sessions depending on what you are treating. Scar reduction will need more treatments than fine wrinkles. A 2008 study showed that after the fourth session, collagen production typically occurs leading to a 400% increase in collagen and elastin six months after completing treatment! To learn more about this procedure, please visit our website.

Mary C. DuPont, MD, FPMRS, FACS · Answer

Hi.
Early in the scar formation, regenerative medicine with PRP can be helpful in healing the scar.  As a general rule of thumb, I would suggest waiting at least 3 months or more before determining if microneedling or laser treatment is best indicated.  
Best,

Dr. DuPont

Amy Y. Paul, DO, FAAD · Answer

Thanks for your questions.  There are a lot of variables to consider, so it is not possible to give you a 100% definitive answer in this forum.  I would recommend seeing a dermatologist as soon as you can for an initial evaluation.  Some interventions can be done very soon after a wound is closed.  We perform vascular laser treatments on scars after skin cancer surgeries quite soon after the area is healed.  If scars start to become hypertrophic or raised, your dermatologist can inject kenalog to help flatten them out.  Microneedling can be done a few month after scars occur, but again, it depends on the location of the scars. their character, and how they are healing.  Please see an expert and best of luck!

When is the safest time begin microneedling and/or laser treatments on facial surgical scars?

Answers (6)

Answer: When is it safe to start to treat a facial scar with microneedling and/or laser?

Answer: When is it safe to start to treat a facial scar with microneedling and/or laser?

Answer: Scar improvement

Answer: Scar improvement

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When is the safest time begin microneedling and/or laser treatments on facial surgical scars?

Answers (6)

Answer: When is it safe to start to treat a facial scar with microneedling and/or laser?

Answer: When is it safe to start to treat a facial scar with microneedling and/or laser?

Answer: Scar improvement

Answer: Scar improvement

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Microneedling

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.