Acne is one of the most frustrating skin condition that can leaves scars. The dark red spots are not easy to hide and even difficult to treat. People use topical treatments like facial serum or DIY masks to fade the scars. This method can take months or years to offer you some noticeable results. Several surgical treatments have been introduced over the years and micro-needling is the most promising of them all.
What are Acne Scars?
When your pores get clogged with dirt, oil, and bacteria, different forms of bumps, lesions, and blemishes are formed. When the pore swells, it breaks the hair follicle wall and results in an inflamed red spot. If the break is small, the scar will be shallow. It can heal quickly. Sometimes the surrounding tissues get damaged as well. It causes deep scarring. The skin tries to repair itself but fails to maintain a smooth and flawless texture.
Types of Acne Scars
There are two main types of acne scars, depressed ones, and raised ones. Depressed acne scars are a result of lost tissue while the raised acne scars are formed by the overproduction of tissue. The former type is common.
Microneedling for Acne Scars
Micro-needling is a skin treatment in which tiny, sterilized needles are used to prick the skin. Your body responds to micro-wounds and produces more collagen to heal them. The new collagen fibers not only heal the acne scars but fades fine lines and wrinkles.
Micro-needling leaves your skin looking better and healthier. The tiny holes created by the treatment improves the efficiency of skincare products. They absorb better and faster through micro holes.
Effectiveness of Microneedling
Micro-needling is effective to treat burn marks, acne scars, surgical scars, stretch marks, and large pores. It works best for depressed acne scars as compared to the raised ones. The treatment stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal. It restores elasticity and volume to the skin. The majority of candidates observe a drastic change in the appearance of acne scars. The topical treatment of vitamin C and PRP doubles the benefits of micro-needling.
The Process of Microneedling
You will see the best possible results if the treatment is performed by an expert such as the ones at James Christian Cosmetics. The whole process takes 10-20 minutes depending upon the size of the affected area.
After Care
You can return to your normal routine right after the treatment. It is important to note, your skin will be sensitive to the sun after micro-needling. Avoid sun exposure and don’t forget to wear sunscreen when you go outside. If your skin care regimen includes alpha hydroxy acid creams, retinol, retinoids, or exfoliating agents, discontinue their use. Use a gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen to heal your skin faster.
Is it Safe?
The treatment is safe and less invasive as compared to other surgical treatments for acne scars. You will experience mild redness, inflammation, or bruising. These minor side effects usually clear out within a few days. The severe side effects could be bleeding, infection or peeling. Darker skin types can suffer from hyperpigmentation or discoloration. If side effects last for more than a week, consult your doctor.
The Cost
The cost of micro-needling depends on factors such as the area of treatment, the severity of scarring and the number of sessions required. While there are some cheaper alternative DIY options such as using a derma roller it can come with a higher risk to damage your skin. Additionally, the results from doing it at home often aren’t nearly as good as the results of having a microneedling service done by a professional.
*Information in this article is not medical advice and may not be factually accurate. It is intended for entertainment purposes only. Consult with a physician before attempting any tips in this blog post and to get the most up to date factual data about any procedure or treatment.
