POSTED UNDER Microneedling REVIEWS
Microneedling for Acne Scars
ORIGINAL POST
This is going to be a long post, so stay with me...
brittklAugust 12, 2017
WORTH IT$1,150
This is going to be a long post, so stay with me.
I've had acne since I turned 18. I'm 33 now, and after being on the right birth control that doesn't mess up my hormones, I've finally got the acne under control. At one point, while on YAZ actually, I had severe cystic acne that covered about 60 percent of my face and hurt like heck. After a few years of this, I had somewhat bad acne scarring, mainly rolling scars. On top of that, I have pretty bad melasma and hypo AND hyper pigmentation. So much fun.
I tried a YAG laser once (did nothing) and a medium-depth chemical peel (did very little). Retin-A never worked and messed up my skin even more. And, of course, I had tried every topical and "natural" at-home treatment known to man, to no avail. I had almost given up.
After ending a not-so-healthy relationship, I decided to try again and stick with whatever treatment I decided to do again. I read about microneedling and thought, what the heck; I've tried everything else. So I paid $150 for a 1.5 mm needle. I expected literally nothing. About a month later, I saw moderate improvement, so I committed to at least 2 more.
Two sessions later with 2.0 and 2.5 mm needles (plus four superficial chemical peels in between) and my God, I'm floored at the results. My scars are significantly more shallow, and many have cleared completely. I used to avoid direct sunlight and tried to sit next to people so they wouldn't see the right side of my face, which was my bad side. Whenever I caught a glimpse of my right side in direct sunlight, I would lament my "hamburger face." I felt terrible about myself. Now, I think my right side is my good side! I recently took a picture of it outside in the sun, and you'd never know I ever had acne except for a couple of ice pick scars by my nose. Who cares.
Although I got microneedling mainly for my scars, it has helped tremendously with lines on my forehead. I had actually gotten Botox on my forehead because those lines were getting more noticeable. When the Botox wore off, though, my lines were so diminished I'm thinking I might not need Botox there for a few years as long as I wear sunscreen every day.
One thing I've learned about skin treatments is that what works for one person might not work for another, so microneedling might not work for you. But I'd definitely try it. I'm going to get it done at least three times a year for anti-aging. I even got it again today just to keep progressing. (I do look like a human tomato, though.)
Another thing is that it really didn't do much for my melasma, at least not long-term. It's always come back, and honestly is worse now than it was a few years ago. Thankfully, I found a good makeup that covers it, so I don't care too much. You cover scars with makeup as well. It did help a little with the hypo pigmentation, but it didn't eliminate it.
Anyway, my advice is to stick with it. Do at least three treatments and wait 6 months to measure your results. Consequently, be reasonable with your expectations. My skin is far from perfect. The texture is still a little rough; I still have some scars; and I still catch a glimpse of the -- albeit much reduced! -- dreaded hamburger face in really bad lighting. But it's sooooo much better now, my goodness. And I just feel so much better about myself and my skin. This has been by far the best thing I've done for my appearance, and I highly recommend it.
I've had acne since I turned 18. I'm 33 now, and after being on the right birth control that doesn't mess up my hormones, I've finally got the acne under control. At one point, while on YAZ actually, I had severe cystic acne that covered about 60 percent of my face and hurt like heck. After a few years of this, I had somewhat bad acne scarring, mainly rolling scars. On top of that, I have pretty bad melasma and hypo AND hyper pigmentation. So much fun.
I tried a YAG laser once (did nothing) and a medium-depth chemical peel (did very little). Retin-A never worked and messed up my skin even more. And, of course, I had tried every topical and "natural" at-home treatment known to man, to no avail. I had almost given up.
After ending a not-so-healthy relationship, I decided to try again and stick with whatever treatment I decided to do again. I read about microneedling and thought, what the heck; I've tried everything else. So I paid $150 for a 1.5 mm needle. I expected literally nothing. About a month later, I saw moderate improvement, so I committed to at least 2 more.
Two sessions later with 2.0 and 2.5 mm needles (plus four superficial chemical peels in between) and my God, I'm floored at the results. My scars are significantly more shallow, and many have cleared completely. I used to avoid direct sunlight and tried to sit next to people so they wouldn't see the right side of my face, which was my bad side. Whenever I caught a glimpse of my right side in direct sunlight, I would lament my "hamburger face." I felt terrible about myself. Now, I think my right side is my good side! I recently took a picture of it outside in the sun, and you'd never know I ever had acne except for a couple of ice pick scars by my nose. Who cares.
Although I got microneedling mainly for my scars, it has helped tremendously with lines on my forehead. I had actually gotten Botox on my forehead because those lines were getting more noticeable. When the Botox wore off, though, my lines were so diminished I'm thinking I might not need Botox there for a few years as long as I wear sunscreen every day.
One thing I've learned about skin treatments is that what works for one person might not work for another, so microneedling might not work for you. But I'd definitely try it. I'm going to get it done at least three times a year for anti-aging. I even got it again today just to keep progressing. (I do look like a human tomato, though.)
Another thing is that it really didn't do much for my melasma, at least not long-term. It's always come back, and honestly is worse now than it was a few years ago. Thankfully, I found a good makeup that covers it, so I don't care too much. You cover scars with makeup as well. It did help a little with the hypo pigmentation, but it didn't eliminate it.
Anyway, my advice is to stick with it. Do at least three treatments and wait 6 months to measure your results. Consequently, be reasonable with your expectations. My skin is far from perfect. The texture is still a little rough; I still have some scars; and I still catch a glimpse of the -- albeit much reduced! -- dreaded hamburger face in really bad lighting. But it's sooooo much better now, my goodness. And I just feel so much better about myself and my skin. This has been by far the best thing I've done for my appearance, and I highly recommend it.
Replies (13)
August 17, 2017
Thank so much for sharing! I feel like we have had a very similar experience, at 40 my horrible hormonal cystic acne finally cleared up (off BC now) but I am left with scars everywhere. And of course wrinkles now to add to the mix. I'm hoping I get results as good as yours! This gives me hope.
August 22, 2017
Please let us know where these Medi Spa are, cause I think who does it, does make a difference.
UPDATED FROM brittkl
Pictures
brittklAugust 12, 2017
I didn't attach pictures, so here they are. The first three are my before pictures. (The third one shows my scars the best.) The fourth one was taken a few days ago outside in the sun and shows my skin after three treatments. The before and after pictures of my forehead were both taken outside as well.
Replies (10)
August 15, 2017
Good for you! The best results seem to be obtained by those who are both consistent and persistent. I am impressed with the micro needling I have done. I now have a Dr. Pen and use the 12 needle with 3.0 depth.
August 16, 2017
How do you like the Dr. Pen? I wanted to get one as well, but I wasn't sure if it was difficult to obtain refill cartridges and how easy/safe it was to do it on your own skin.
October 28, 2017
It's totall7 safe. The cartridges are on both Amazon & eBay. It's 100% easy for me. I do under my eyes also and am simply extremely slow and concentrated. I love the Dr. Pen, have zero complaints, only praise. I have done a treatment every 11 days and the results are FANTASTIC! I use vitamin C Serum to 'glide' the pen and it's awesome.
October 21, 2017
Thank you for the review! Your skin looks great! I agree with you in that we have to keep trying to find what works as everyone is different.

October 23, 2017
I have had very similar results. I've been at it longer and have done it DIY using a Dr Pen and hyaluronic acid I bought from Amazon. Younjust have to be willing to really rough up your skin sometimes to the point of scabbing to get the really good results and also like you said it takes time and several treatments but for the cost and results I don' think anything else compares.
October 23, 2017
Hi there, your skin looks great. I have question. I have been using the dermapen too. I have done 3 treatment i have notice the difference in my scars but i have notice the wrinkles on my forhead which wasn’t there before. Have you notice anything like that. I am thinking to stop the treatment. Please advice me. Thank you
I did my first microneedling treatment in February of this year, about a year, maybe, after my acne had settled down and cleared. The people that did my needling told me won't roll on inflamed skin, so I think you have to get it cleared first.
The first time I got needling done, they used an actual roller (1.5 mm). The last three times, they used a derma pen (2.0 and 2.5 mm).
I like the pen MUCH better. The roller crunches weirdly and didn't maneuver well. The stamp was much more precise and felt like mild pressure.
So I actually did the first two treatments at one med spa and the last two in two separate med spas. Doing so made me realize that the numbing cream and technique used do matter. Go to a place with a high-grade numbing cream, and it won't hurt at all.