Can skin microneedling make acne scars worse: I got my second skin pen treatment done 12 days ago. (Photos)

Microneedling has become one of the greatest treatments for acne scars. The procedure has generally only a few day down time with nice improvement of the scars. I have never seen any worsening of the acne scars after microneedling. I wonder since you are only twelve days out from your procedure, if you are reacting to the topical creams your doctor has recommended for you or maybe still swollen from the procedure. The ideal time to evaluate the results of the procedure will be in 6-12 months.

Usually after the first treatment most patients notice a difference in their skin, whether it be their pore size or their scarring is less prominent. Some pt's don't notice a difference in the skin until after they have healed from their last session. Now, with your scarring it shouldn't be more prominent, it could be the person doing your treatment may be going too deep into the skin. This is possible with Skin Pen because when you go to deep into the skin it can be too abrasive and start creating the bad collagen. Using a growth factor with the treatment will give you better results.

Microneedling is a treatment often recommended to help with acne scarring.  Using a medical grade microneedling device allows for treatment to deeper parts of the skin without removing or damaging the top layers of the skin.  Microscopic channels are created in the epidermis and dermis leading to cellular rejuvenation and smoothing of skins imperfections.  A series of treatments are normally needed to achieve the best results.  With each treatment, some amount of inflammation or swelling is normal.  During that time the scars may look worse as the normal skin around them swells somewhat.  Over time, of course, this will all resolve.  New collagen production does take months and so you will not know how well you've done with the treatment until then.  It is very unlikely that microneedling done properly would worsen your scars.

Answer is yes. If you could provide before photo and post again in 6 weeks, this will give unbiased and objective opinions. Paradoxical scarring often due to the user, but in some patients can be idiosyncratic in nature. Can be rectified with lasers such as Fraxel 1927 or Clear and Brilliant. Microneedling has come a long way over the past few years and can help skin via several methods. Firstly it releases cytokines and growth factors in the epidermis and dermis- the top and bottom layers of your skin. This in turn remodels scars and the dermal layer of the skin. Additionally needles can break up scars themselves. This leads to new collagen formation.

 

Microneedling is both user dependent and method driven. Simple needles can be used, growth factors can be added after the procedure, including PRP, or controlled heating during the procedure. This controlled heating is delivered via RF, and is called RF microneedling. RF can then be delivered via insulated or insulated needles. Even the energy level, depths, density, pulse duration and so many other variables can be controlled. This together with the added benefits of growth factor infusion makes this one of the most complex procedures in procedural dermatology. I use everything from Dermapen, though to newer generation insulated and non-insulated devices including INFINI micro-needling radiofrequency, Intensif and others. Newer generation devices can provide an added advantage in some, but not all patients. Like most procedures, its 80% skill level of the specialist and 20% dependent on the brand of the energy device- microneedling system. All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Brisbane. Australia.