Microneedling for Acne Scars: What to Expect

Have you ever experienced finally clearing up a breakout, only to be left with those little reminders of where the acne once was? Acne scars can be frustrating, making you feel less confident about your complexion. If you’re looking for a simple yet effective way to help your skin heal and appear smoother, let’s discuss microneedling.

Here at Cheeky Medspa in Kenai, AK, we offer this popular service and are excited to explain exactly why it’s a favorite for improving skin texture, especially when it comes to old acne marks. If you’re serious about seeing a positive change in your skin, read on to learn what this fantastic treatment is all about and what you can really expect.

What Is Microneedling?

In simple terms, microneedling is a minimally invasive way to encourage your skin to renew itself. The process involves using a device equipped with tiny needles. We use the SkinPen, the only FDA-approved microneedling device, to create hundreds of vertical microchannels in the skin, initiating a controlled healing response.

When your skin senses these tiny openings, it immediately begins to repair them. This “fix-it” response involves kicking up the production of new collagen and elastin, two key proteins that give your skin its structure, firmness, and elasticity. This whole process is actually known as Collagen Induction Therapy.

Why Is Collagen Important When It Comes to Acne Scars?

Acne scars, particularly the depressed or “pitted” kind, often form because the original acne inflammation damaged the collagen structure beneath the skin’s surface. By intentionally stimulating new collagen production, microneedling for acne scars helps to essentially rebuild and plump up that damaged tissue from the inside out. This leads to the scar becoming less noticeable and the overall surface of your skin becoming smoother.

The Great Microneedling Benefits for Skin

While treating acne scars is a major use, the microneedling benefits for skin extend well beyond that. This treatment is a true multitasker when it comes to skin revitalization.

1. Improved Skin Texture: The new collagen helps fill in those pesky pitted scars, giving you a significantly smoother feel.
2. More Even Skin Tone: It helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and other discoloration that often accompany past breakouts.
3. Reduced Appearance of Other Skin Concerns: In addition to scarring and acne, microneedling works well to minimize wrinkles, stretch marks, and fine lines.
4. Firmer, Younger-Looking Skin: The increase in collagen and elastin brings a new bounce to your complexion, giving it a fresher, more youthful appearance.
5. Minimal Downtime: Compared to more aggressive treatments, the recovery time is relatively short, which is why it’s a staff and patient favorite!

How Can Microneedling Specifically Address Acne Scars?

When you’re seeking skin rejuvenation for acne scars, you want a method that directly impacts the scar tissue. Microneedling achieves this by physically breaking down the old, disorganized scar tissue and replacing it with fresh, organized new collagen.

Because we use the SkinPen device, we can ensure a safe and consistent treatment depth, which is vital for effectively treating different types of scars. This commitment to using a high-quality, approved device ensures you receive the best microneedling for acne scars possible.

Can You AddmBoosters With Microneedling?

At Cheeky Medspa, we understand that sometimes your skin needs a little extra help. That’s why we offer advanced options to enhance your professional microneedling treatment.

Our most popular enhancement is the Microneedling + PRP + Topical Botox treatment.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): We use your body’s own healing power. To extract the platelet-rich plasma, a little quantity of blood is drawn and centrifuged. This PRP is packed with growth factors. When applied immediately after microneedling, these growth factors penetrate deeply into the skin’s channels, dramatically accelerating the healing process, boosting collagen production, and leading to improved results for your acne scars.

Topical Botox: This is not your typical injected Botox. Instead of minimizing muscle movement, topical Botox works directly on the skin’s surface to provide different, yet powerful, microneedling benefits for skin. It can significantly improve your skin by:

• Decreasing spider vein visibility and redness.
• Reducing oil production as a means of treating adult acne.
• Eliminates the appearance of enlarged pores and tightens the skin.

This combined approach is perfect for people who deal with issues like rosacea, persistent adult acne, fine lines, and large pores, on top of their acne scars.

What to Expect at Your Microneedling Session

We will have a consultation to talk about your unique skin issues and goals prior to your treatment here in Kenai, AK. We want you to understand everything and feel completely at ease.

Preparation: To make sure you are comfortable throughout the process, we will clean your skin and administer a topical numbing lotion. This is the longest part of the process, as we want to give the cream enough time to work.

The Treatment: Once the skin is numb, we’ll remove the cream and use the SkinPen device. You might feel a slight pressure or a tickling sensation, but thanks to the numbing cream, it’s generally very tolerable. The treatment itself is quite quick, usually taking about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.

Post-Treatment Care: Immediately after treatment, your skin will appear pink or red, similar to a mild sunburn. We’ll apply soothing products and go over your personalized aftercare plan.

What Is The Ideal Number of Microneedling Sessions?

You won’t see the final result after one session. Improvement from microneedling for acne scars happens gradually as your body builds new collagen over several weeks and months. A little patience is needed during this procedure, but the results are well worth it.

Number of Sessions: For noticeable skin rejuvenation for acne scars, most people need a series of 3 to 6 treatments.

Spacing: We usually space these professional microneedling treatment sessions about 4 to 6 weeks apart. This spacing allows your skin enough time to fully heal and initiate the collagen creation process before the next session.

When to See Results: You might notice a subtle glow within a couple of weeks, but the real improvement in your acne scars will continue to appear over the course of your treatment plan and for several months following your last session.

How Can You Achieve the Best Results from Your Microneedling?

One of the significant benefits of microneedling for the skin is the minimal downtime; however, proper aftercare is crucial for achieving optimal results.

• Protect from the Sun: For the first week, strictly avoid direct sun exposure. Your skin is extra sensitive! After the first 24 hours, use a physical (mineral) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, reapplying it often.
• Gentle Cleansing: For the first 24-48 hours, use only a gentle cleanser and cool water. Pat your skin dry. Avoid products containing active ingredients such as retinols, Vitamin C, or strong acids for several days. We will provide specific instructions.
• Wait on Makeup: Avoid applying makeup for at least 24 hours to let your skin heal and prevent irritation or infection.
• Avoid Heat and Sweat: Skip the gym, hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms for 48 to 72 hours. Excessive heat and sweat can irritate the newly treated skin.

Your Smoother Skin Awaits in Kenai, AK

If you’re ready to stop letting old acne scars influence how you feel about your skin, microneedling could be the perfect treatment for you. As providers of microneedling in Kenai, AK, Cheeky Medspa is committed to using the safest and most effective techniques to deliver the natural-looking skin rejuvenation for acne scars you deserve.

It’s time to move forward with a brighter, smoother complexion. Unlock Smoother, Younger-Looking Skin – Book Your Microneedling Session Now.