Anyone who’s ever suffered with pockmarks or deep scars left behind by acne will know how troublesome they can be. It’s a common problem too, with a wide range of topical products available to alleviate the issue. Another of the available treatments is microneedling for acne scars, which you may have seen whilst researching the matter. The question is, does it work?
Microneedling is widely believed to be a great solution for the problem, evidenced by the fact that so many licensed dermatologists offer it. Look on any cosmetic treatment website and you’ll see some quite compelling before and after pictures, but are they authentic?
Absolutely They Are, Yes!
Microneedling for acne scars really does work – something that you’ll find out first hand by booking an appointment with a reputable clinician. It’s a treatment that’s backed by science too, as it’s known to promote collagen growth, effectively reducing the appearance of rolling, boxcar and ice pick scars in the process.
So, how does it work exactly?
Well, the tools used during treatment contain tiny needles that typically penetrate the skin by anywhere between ½mm and 1mm. This creates almost imperceptible wounds to the patient’s skin, but it’s enough to trigger the body’s healing response, which causes collagen to be produced. It’s this action that smooths wrinkles and fine lines for a more even skin texture.
How many treatments are needed?
Overwhelmingly, microneedling for acne scars only requires a few treatments before the effect becomes noticeable. Of course, when talking about the deeper scars, they’re not going to go straight away, but they too will fade given time. The increased collagen will build up with each treatment, allowing you to achieve brighter, firmer and smoother skin.
How often should treatments be taken?
It may vary slightly depending on how sore the treatment makes your skin, but generally speaking, most dermatologists will suggest a treatment cycle of around 4-6 weeks. Repeated up to 3-4 times a year, you’ll enjoy the best results that it offers.
Are there any side effects?
Compared to some other similar treatments, the side effects of having microneedling for acne scars is fairly minimal, with a little temporary inflammation, bruising redness being quite common. You can minimise this by avoiding direct sunlight and by making sure you stay hydrated. That said, most don’t even experience this and are able to get back to their normal routines within a day or two.
Is it safe to use DIY home kits?
Spend a little time researching online and you’ll see many DIY home kits for this procedure, with ‘derma rollers’ being quite popular. While some might enjoy good results using a kit like this, the chances of you damaging your skin go up greatly – even if you do it as described on the packaging.
Dermatologists take years of training to learn where all the important facial nerves and tissues are, so we’d recommend sticking with the pros for the sake of your skin.
There You Have It – Microneedling For Acne Scars Really Works!
Microneedling is a safe and effective way to reduce the appearance of all kinds of acne scars, however, you need to remember that while the treatment is gentle, you are effectively jabbing your face with tiny needles. There is absolutely a right and a wrong way to do it, so we’d always recommend using a licensed expert.
While it might cost a little more to have it done by a professional dermatologist, their expertise means that you’re much more likely to get the results you’re looking for without any kind of long-lasting damage to your skin.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.