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Acne is the most common skin condition among Americans, affecting about 50 million people every year. About 20% of them go on to develop a lasting remembrance of their breakouts: acne scars that affect not only the way they look, but also the way they feel.
While makeup may help conceal some of the discoloration associated with many acne scars, it can’t even out raised or depressed scars, which is frustrating. While dermabrasion and even scar surgery were once the only alternatives to smoothing out acne scars, there’s a minimally invasive option today that’s highly effective: microneedling.
At Luminary Dermatology, our team uses the most advanced microneedling system for beautiful, predictable outcomes and smoother, healthier-looking skin. Here, learn why acne scars form and why microneedling is so good at eliminating them once and for all for our South Florida patients.
How acne scars happen
Pimples and pustules form when bacteria, excess oil, dead skin, and other debris become trapped inside a hair follicle. The warm environment offers the ideal conditions for bacteria to grow and multiply, triggering an inflammatory response that in turn creates the sore, swollen, red bumps that are the hallmark of an acne breakout.
When the infection inside your follicle becomes intense, it can damage your skin structure. Typically, minor damage heals without issue, and your skin in the area remains clear and smooth. But when damage is more severe, your skin may struggle to make those repairs, leaving behind scars that might be raised (hypertrophic) or depressed (atrophic).
Deep scars happen when your skin doesn’t create enough collagen to smooth over the area, while raised scars appear when your skin is overzealous in its repair, laying down more layers of collagen than are necessary. In either case, the change in your skin’s appearance and texture can leave you feeling self-conscious about your complexion.
Microneedling: A real solution for real results
The most effective way to prevent acne scars from forming is to work with our dermatology team at the first sign of acne. Ongoing acne treatment helps manage breakouts and improve skin health, significantly reducing or even eliminating the risk of scars. But if you already have scars, microneedling can help.
As its name implies, microneedling uses a device studded with very tiny needles designed to penetrate the skin’s upper layers. Needles come in varying sizes to address multiple skin concerns.
During acne scar treatment, we move the device across the target area, creating a series of tiny, controlled injuries. These injuries stimulate natural healing processes, including collagen remodeling in and around the scar area.
Does microneedling help acne scars permanently?
Data show that microneedling breaks down abnormal collagen deposits, promoting normal collagen development so your skin looks and feels smoother and healthier. Patients report lasting improvement with their acne scarring.
Because it targets skin from the inside where scar tissue forms, microneedling offers dependable results for even the deepest scars — it outperforms over-the-counter scar creams and other alternatives. Unlike more invasive treatments like dermabrasion, downtime after microneedling is minimal, and healing is quick.
Get the skin you want
Microneedling helps banish acne scars, and it can help with other complexion issues, too.
To learn more about this advanced, state-of-the-art treatment and how it can help you improve your complexion and your confidence, book an appointment online or over the phone today with the team at Luminary Dermatology in North Miami Beach, Miami, Homestead, Sarasota, Venice, Longboat Key, Bradenton, and North Port, Florida.