Will microneedling for botched face lift scars improve my skin condition? (Photos)

Question

Spent 11,500 USD for this horrible facelift done without informed consent in Taipei, Taiwan 19 months ago. Can microneedling help my skin condition? Excessive pull on my skin left me with a huge spot of necrosis and dead skin that is grayish brown. 19 months post op. Can microneedling improve my skin condition? Been using Retin-A and bleaching cream. Please advise.

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

Chien C. Kat, MD · Answer

HiI am sorry to hear this and that it has happened to you. Micro-needling devices such as SkinPen would be your best option as its the only FdA approved device. The results vary but are considerably good for improving the appearance of scarring and the quality of the skin. I would suggest a minimum of 6 treatments at 4 week intervals. As the treatment results are progressive it may take a few weeks for you to start seeing changes and new collagen formation in the skin. From a SkinPen treatment the full result can take up to 3 months.I hope you get the results you are looking for non surgically however in the future it is worth consulting with a Plastic Surgeon to see if the scar can be improved through excision and revision.Hope this helps.

Leslie Pickens, MD · Answer

Microneedling with addition of PRP especially can absolutely help the healing which is still occurring to this day.  The treatment you ask about will remodel the scar and allow re-healing with more uniform color.  Continue Retin A.  Consider taking a break from any bleaching cream containing hydroquinone for a few months then resume after a period off.

Aanand Geria, MD, FAAD · Answer

Microneedling with PRP and possibly intralesional cortisone shots should improve this scar considerably. I'm sorry this happened to you. Best of luck,

Adeline Coleman, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Micro-needling may help with scaring, depending on what the scar looks like on examination, excision and revision may be a better option.  Laser treatments may help as well.  Consult with a facial Plastic Surgeon in you area.  It may be helpful to get 2-3 opinions before settling on a treatment plan.
All the best.

Will microneedling for botched face lift scars improve my skin condition? (Photos)

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Will microneedling for botched face lift scars improve my skin condition? (Photos)

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar

Answer: Scar

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Answer: Microneedling and Scars

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Everything you need to know about Microneedling

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