Skin needling

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Skin needling is a procedure pioneered over a decade ago. Skin needling uses multiple surgical needles 2mm long and 0.25 mm in diameter attached to a roller. This roller creates multiple pin-point puncture wound in the skin, extending into the middle dermal layers of the skin. Dermal damage breaks down scarring collagen, and in turn releases growth factors. This causes ‘neogenesis’- the formation of new collagen and elastin. Neogenesis forms the basis of scar revision.  The new collagen fills the depressed scar from beneath, eventually lifting the depression to a level that approaches the surrounding skin. A similar theory applies to the treatment of stretch marks, as micro damage to the dermal layers stimulate elastin formation.

• Acne scarring
• Stretch marks
• Chicken pox scarring
• Solar damaged (sun damaged and crepey skin)

This procedure is performed by a Specialist Dermatologist in an operating theatre at Westside Dermatology. After careful planning and photography of the treatment area, a local anaesthetic cream is placed on the pre-treated areas.  Treatment is conducted one hour later, and involves rolling over the scars with a surgical roller, deeper and more tethered scars are released by a procedure known as ‘subscsion.’ The procedure is complete after 15 minutes.

Moderate redness is seen 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

Swelling and bruising can be seen for upto 2-4 days post treatment.

Flaking, peeling and crusting can be seen 3-5 days after the procedure.

Make up can be worn 48-72 hours after the procedure.

Recovery times range from 3-7 days, depending on the extent of the procedure. Your specialist dermatologist will discuss with you the expected recovery at the time of consultation.

The majority of patients can expect to see modest results after treatments. Collagen remodelling is maximal several months after the procedure, hence results are best assessed 3 months after skin needling. On average, scars improve by 10%-15% after one treatment.

Fractional laser resurfacing produces better improvements in acne scars than skin needling due to greater stimulation of collagen via heat.

More on laser acne scar revision

Skin needling can reduce the appearance of  old stretch marks. New stretch marks (red-pink-purple in colour) respond best to Vascular laser treatments.

Like acne scarring, Fractional lasers are better and newer treatments for old stretch marks.

More on treating stretch marks

As a guide we recommend 3-4 session, spaced 8-10 weeks apart. The number of sessions depends on your response to the treatments, your ability to deposit new collagen (better in younger skin and non smokers), and most importantly the severity of scarring. We do not recommend treatments at more frequent intervals, as this time frame coincides with maximal collagen remodelling.

Specialist will not recommend any form of acne scar treatments (apart from treating keloid or hypertropic scars) if patients have active acne. It is our recommendation that acne is treated and in remission before proceeding to any form of scar revision.

More on acne treatments

** Skin needling is considered cosmetic in nature and NOT covered under Medicare/ Private Health insurance.

moreDr. Davin S. Lim

Dr Davin Lim, Consultant Specialist Dermatologist

Skin needling is somewhat effective as a treatment for acne scars, however this procedure has been largely replaced by more modern and effective treatments such as fractional laser resurfacing.

In the past I used skin needling as a treatment for acne scars in darker skin types, however with the event of ProFractional laser, darker skin types can be safely treated. Fractional laser is probably 30%-60% better than skin needling for the treatment of acne scars. Needling does not provide a reliable variation in depth and density (area treated) compared to laser, which is more precise and reproducible. Additionally, needling does not provide heating of the dermis, which is advantageous in remodelling collagen and treating scars.

In summary, laser treatments have largely replaced skin needling in my practice of acne scar treatments, however due to the lower technology involved in skin needling, this procedure is more cost effective for the patient than laser.