Will dermarolling help flatten out or minimize the appearance of self harm scars?

Question

Hi, I'm just wondering if I will see any results with derma rolling my scars on my left arm, they are white and sone are slightly raised. My skin is pale but the scars are still really noticeable. What length of derma roller should I get, will I even see any results? I want to at least try flatten them somehow. Any help is appreciated, thank you!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Duncan MacKenzie, MBBS, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Hi,
I’m sorry your don’t like your scars. You don’t show any pictures so I’m not sure how bad they are. When there is single scar or a couple they can be changed but when there are multiple, they are very hard to disguise. One can remove them and skin graft the wound which looks bad but has a different look. One can shave them and then graft the skin back in a different orientation which can improve them. Laser resurfacing may help but will need several goes and they will still be there but less noticeable. Some people get tattoos to cover them up which may be the simplest approach if you don’t mind the tattoos there.
I hope that helps.
Duncan MacKenzie

Cassie Nghiem, MD · Answer

Great question. It's hard to answer about scar care without knowing how long the scar has been there. If the scar is mature (over a year old), I don't think dermarolling will have much of an affect.

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