It’s estimated that one in three people suffer from acne scars. These lesions, whether on the face, back, chest, shoulders, or upper arms, can significantly knock our confidence.
While acne scars and pockmarks do improve over time, they are permanent. The only way to get rid of them entirely is to undergo treatment.
The good news is that there are several treatments that can help smooth out the skin and make acne scars appear much less prominent. Microneedling is one of them.
Let’s look at how micro-needling can help with acne and what you need to be aware of when considering this procedure.
What is micro-needling?
Microneedling is a treatment that uses multiple tiny needles to puncture the skin. This encourages the generation of collagen, a protein that improves the elasticity of the skin and replaces dead skin cells with fresh new ones.
As a result, micro-needling can help improve the tone and texture of the skin, as well as eliminate wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, and scarring.
Micro-needling and acne scars
Micro-needling can be a fantastic way of helping to reduce acne scars. The benefit of micro-needling is that because it doesn’t remove or damage the outer layer of skin, it’s ideal for all skin types and tones. Conversely, procedures like laser treatment may not be suitable for darker skin tones.
How does micro-needling help with acne scars? Your acne scars are effectively damaged skin, caused when the old collagen is injured and weakened. Micro-needling promotes the development of new collagen, filling the acne scar with fresh new skin and smoothing the area.
Think of collagen as an all-natural filler!
Micro-needling works best on depressed or pitted acne scars. These are scars that are indented into the skin. Raised acne scars are ones that appear as firm bumps on your skin. This is because raised acne scars already contain excess collagen, so micro-needling won’t have as much of an effect.
In this case, laser treatment or cryosurgery may be the better option.
According to a study by the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 80% of people who have the procedure notice a vast improvement in the appearance of their acne scars.
Can I have micro-needling if I have lots of acne scars?
Yes. Micro-needling can be used whether you have one or two scars, or several.
If you are looking for an extra collagen boost, we also offer radio frequency (RF) micro-needling. Radio frequency waves penetrate and heat the skin’s dermis, maximising the amount of collagen that is produced.
Get in touch with us to see if radio frequency micro-needling is right for you.
Can micro-needling help with active acne?
So far, we’ve talked about micro-needling being used to help with acne scarring. But what if you have active or cystic acne? Can you have micro-needling?
Most active acne responds well to micro-needling, as it helps remove the source of the acne and can help reduce the production of sebum, which makes the skin oily. However, there will be some circumstances where micro-needling is not the best treatment, for example, if there are open wounds in the skin.
If you are experiencing an acne breakout, it might be better to wait until your skin is under control before continuing with your micro-needling treatment. This reduces the risk of infection.
We recommend booking a free consultation with our skin specialists, who will look at your acne and see if you’re a good candidate for micro-needling.
Can I do micro-needling myself?
While you can buy an at-home derma roller online, we wouldn’t recommend carrying out micro-needling at home. This can lead to skin damage and infection, which can make your acne scars worse.
It’s best to trust the professionals when it comes to micro-needling for your acne, as this means a safe and hygienic experience, as well as optimal results.
Laser Skin Group: your micro-needling specialists
We are the micro-needling specialists in Watford and the surrounding areas. Our skilled and experienced aesthetic practitioners will put together a bespoke treatment plan to ensure your active acne or acne scars are smoothed away.
Contact us today to book your free consultation and take the first step in boosting your confidence.
