Barely see any result 1 month after SkinPen microneedling with PRP. Any suggestions on pre or post care to enhance result?

Question

I’m 38 Asian female with acne scars and underwent SkinPen microneedling with PRP (1.5mm) 4 weeks ago with a reputable dermatologist. I attached pictures taken on Day 4 and Day 34 showing no change. Should I be expecting at least some visible result or result is only visible after 3 treatments? I plan to have round 2 on Day 36 (5-weeks interval). I applied a lot of moisturizer and stay out of sun for the first 3 days. Is there any pre or post care product I should use to enhance the result?

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

There are several issues here that need addressing. The first being that medical microneedling, which I have been performing for over twenty years now, is really best reserved for treating very superficial skin color and textural irregularities that still may remain following more appropriate therapies for acne scars (or scars from other causes, such as trauma, surgery, infection, for that matter). It is not particularly effective as a stand-alone treatment for deeper, atrophic acne scars, namely boxcar, rolling and ice pick scars. Secondly, even when used for the appropriate indications, it typically takes a series of two to four treatment sessions, spaced at a minimum of about six weeks in between sessions, to achieve an optimal improvement. Moreover, despite the intense hype over PRP and "vampire lifts", etc. its benefits remain largely unproven by any rigorous scientific studies, and is hardly worth the extra 800-1000 it often costs for this in my neck of the woods. Microneedling, properly performed should lead to pinpoint bleeding, which, if covered with an appropriate  Duoderm bandage, is likely to provide some of the purported wound healing and growth factor benefits of PRP without the time and expense.  More appropriate therapies for acne scars include "field subcision," to treat generalized acne-related facial atrophy; individual subcisions for boxcar and rolling scars; TCA CROSS for ice pick scars. You would be wise to make sure that you are consulting a board certified aesthetic physician with expertise in treating acne scars. Best of luck to you.

Jennifer Harrington, MD · Answer

Microneedling can take several sessions to see significant results. And even with multiple treatment sessions, it can take weeks or months to see the full results of microneedling. Have you considered a repeat treatment? If not, you should consult with your dermatologist to see if he or she recommends coming in again for another session. Each treatment should compound on the results of the previous treatments. Be patient and consider further treatment for the best results.

Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for writing,This is when you have to be patient. Typically microneedling requires a series of three treatments one months between each treatment. After the series is completed collagen production is not immediate, it can take up to 6 months. You will see improvement, stay the course. Good luck Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS 
Certified: American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member: American Society for Aesthetics Plastic Surgery 
Member: American Society of Plastic Surgeons 
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Mitchell Schwartz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It typically takes a series of at least 3 treatments, usually each 1 month apart, and then waiting for 3 to 6 months to see the optimal results. However, there are now much better products to use during micro-needling than PRP because PRP is strongly pro-inflammatory (not good). In my office we do all of our micro-needling treatments using a serum from ProCell Therapies that is specially made for this purpose which contains high concentrations of growth factors derived from human bone marrow stem cells. This has all the advantages of PRP, without the disadvantages.My patients also continue using a similar human growth factor serum at home after their micro-needling treatment for quicker healing times and continued improvement.

Barely see any result 1 month after SkinPen microneedling with PRP. Any suggestions on pre or post care to enhance result?

Answers (4)

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