Can retinol deliver the same results as microneedling to reduce pore size? (Photos)

Our office has many different treatments for acne scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Acne 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 acne 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 acne scars and indented acne 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 acne 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

skincare should be apart of your daily regimen and more than just retinol, see my emerageskin line and aerify kit which you should do monthly. for pores you need twice monthly facials, and lasers like clear and brilliant with microneedling, regularly. this would be done regularly.

at home peels like cosmelan, enlighten and aerify along with dermarolling (MTS roller with anteage MD ampules weekly, see linkt) should be started now to prevent further aging.

For facial rejuvenation, I would suggest a combination approach of
1) skin care with products and PRP/microneedling
2) PDT light therapy few times a month with growth factors
3) laser treatments like clear and brilliant regularly and a few times a year Fraxel/halo Viva, Co2/Erbium
4) Sculptra injections a few times a year for collagen production with fillers like juvederm/restylane/belotero/radiesse/bellafill
5) thermage/ultherapy for yearly skin tightening with or without PDO or cone based instalift threads for lifting
6) botox every 2-3 months to stop movement lines and prevent lines at rest
7) deep microneedling RF like Fractora/morpheus8 for tightening of the skin
8) Vascular laser like vbeam/excel V or BBL forever young treatment every quarter (3-4 months)

Best, Dr. Emer.

Microneedling is a non-invasive skin rejuvenation technique that uses a mechanical device with fine needles to create controlled injury. This triggers the body to produce more collagen. It addresses fine lines and wrinkles, loose and sagging skin, acne and scarring, uneven texture, stretch marks, and pore size. Please contact a qualified provider or a board-certified physician with extensive experience in these procedures and get a complete assessment to see which are the best treatments for you. Each skin is unique that's why it is important to get a doctor's assessment.

Hello and thank you for your question and photos. Retinoids are good to use in the background to maintain cell turnover, improve fine lines over time (6-12 months of consistent use), retinoids can improve overall color of skin by producing new blood vessels improving dark spots, rough patches and acne. There are many retinoids available over the counter and prescription. The use of retinoids is a great thing to use daily, after getting your skin used to using the product. Retinoids can cause irritation and dryness for some do you must be careful and use every other night or every third night to introduce the product to your skin. Talk to your dermatologist about which one is right for you. We use skin medica retinoids at our practice with great success. . That being said, microneedling will give you a quicker, better up front result as far as pore size and skin texture. It is a great procedure to do for your skin for all the same reasons as retinoids. So to answer your question, the answer is both if possible. Use of microneedling and retinols is a great way to maintain and care for your skin. If you can not maintain both-- microneedling 3-4 x per year or daily retinoid use. The key is being able to maintain whatever route you take. I hope this helps!