At Facial Aesthetic Concepts Center for Aesthetic Medicine, when we meet with patients who are concerned about acne, we often recommend microneedling. Microneedling is a non-invasive med spa treatment that works on a variety of skin types. In this blog post, our experts explain what microneedling is, as well as its effectiveness on acne and acne scars.
How Microneedling Works
Microneedling uses a series of tiny sterile needles to make miniature puncture marks in the skin. While these microscopic wounds do not cause any substantial damage to the body, they do create just enough distress that the body starts to produce more collagen and elastin, two core proteins that play a pivotal role in keeping skin smooth and tight.
Patients use microneedling to treat skin imperfections that include hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores and stretch marks. They have also seen firsthand how it improves their skin if they have or have had acne.
For Acne Scars
For some people, acne poses a temporary skin problem, vanishing once the flareup subsides. For others, however, breakouts can permanently damage the skin and the tissue directly below where the pimple formed. After a pimple is gone, the body produces collagen to try to repair the damaged tissue. Skin that does not receive sufficient collagen may form a depressed scar (which looks like an indentation), while skin that receives too much collagen can create a raised scar.
Because microneedling’s punctures stimulate collagen production, many patients see significant improvement to their scars after this treatment. However, it is mainly appropriate for depressed scars (the more common form) since raised scars do not benefit from additional collagen. Patients who wish to maintain their results generally need about two or three microneedling sessions per year.
For Acne
Even better, microneedling is a good treatment for reducing acne. By preventing acne before it starts, future acne scarring can be reduced.
Acne outbreaks often occur when sebum, an oil produced by the skin, clogs the hair follicles. Blocked pores can result in pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Microneedling targets the sebaceous glands, which are sensitive to heat. This reduces the production of sebum and helps to prevent clogging that causes acne. Studies have found that one microneedling treatment can reduce sebum production in the area by about 75%.
Learn Whether Microneedling Is Right for Your Acne and Acne Scars
The best way to determine if microneedling is the appropriate treatment for you skin is to have a conversation with our expert medical estheticians. They can examine your skin and recommend the best treatment plan to address your imperfections, which may include microneedling. To attain smoother, glowing skin, please schedule a consultation by calling (949) 313-2600.
