Microneedling is used to puncture the skin to create a controlled skin injury; the epidermis is left intact, and the healing period is rapid. The skin does not risk permanent structural damage, sun sensitivity, skin colour loss or hyper-pigmentation.
At SydneyWest Aesthetics, microneedling is performed using the Mesopen Pro device that allows simultaneous infusion of instant hydration into the skin with hyaluronic acid and collagen stimulating ingredients.
There are several advantages of using microneedling for the treatment of post-acne scars.
It can be performed as an office-based procedure and is safe on all skin types.
Additional benefits include the treatment being cost effective, the comparative ease of the overall procedure, and the minimal downtime associated with the treatment vs ablative or even non-ablative laser resurfacing techniques.
The Mesopen Pro can also be used on areas that are not suitable for peeling or laser resurfacing and can be used around the eye area. No demarcation line is formed between treated and untreated skin following microneedling, as is commonly seen after other resurfacing procedures. This means that specific areas of scarring can be treated without the need to treat the entire face or to 'blend' or 'feather' the treatment edges. There is no risk of photosensitivity or any post-inflammatory dyschromia because the epidermis and stratum corneum are never removed. Post-procedure infection is not seen because the microscopic holes created during the procedure close immediately.
Treatments with Mesopen Pro are performed at 4 to 8 week intervals, and multiple sittings are needed to achieve the desired effect on the skin. The final results cannot be viewed immediately because new collagen continues to be laid down for approximately 3 to 6 months after treatment has ceased.
To maximise results, microneedling can be combined with other acne scar treatments, including subcision, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and fractional resurfacing.
Besides acne scars, microneedling has also been used in treating varicella scars and post- herpetic facial scars with success.
Microneedling also shows some promising results for treating hypertrophic and burn scars, but more clinical studies are needed before it can be recommended as a treatment option.
