MICRONEEDLING

In general, dermatologists prefer to treat acne scarring after the patient’s acne is under control. Those with active acne are generally not considered a good candidate (yet).

During the treatment, a glide agent is used; most commonly hyaluronic acid gel. After the procedure, there can be minimal swelling and redness for several days, but there is little to no discomfort. Typically a series of monthly treatments (at least three) are required for optimal results.

Microneedling has gained popularity recently due to several advantages:

• It can be performed on patients of any skin color.
• It is cost effective compared to many laser procedures.
• It can be performed on virtually all areas of the body.
• It can increase the effectiveness and penetration of skin care products.

After 24 hours, makeup and sunscreen can be used and normal activity can be resumed. Usually patients have anywhere to from two to seven days of downtime, and it can range from looking like a mild sunburn to a peel. Some less common side effects include bruising, scarring and allergic response (to any topicals applied to the skin during or immediately after treatment).