Microneedling For Post-Surgical Scar Reduction

MICRONEEDLING FOR POST-SURGICAL SCAR REDUCTION IN SEATTLE, BELLEVUE, & KIRKLAND

When choosing to undergo a cosmetic procedure, especially a facial surgery, patients often worry about how obvious their scarring will look. Most talented cosmetic surgeons, like Dr. Craig Jonov, use less invasive methods and precise incisions to minimize scarring after plastic surgery. However, surgical scars from any surgery can leave a lasting mark and interfere with clothing or the way we carry ourselves. The master estheticians at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery offer microneedling for post-surgical scar reduction in the Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland areas.  

THE SCIENCE BEHIND MICRONEEDLING

Microneedling–also known as collagen induction therapy–is a non-surgical procedure that helps to build collagen. It does this through creating tiny, non-visible punctures in the skin. These trick your body into believing that there is an injury that requires healing. Your body then sends a healing response to the treatment area. This helps produce new collagen and skin, which provides better and healthier looking skin.

In a typical microneedling procedure, patients seek to improve skin texture as well as keep skin bouncy and youthful. The procedure often treats acne scarring because it stimulates new collagen production which can help fill in atrophic acne scarring. 

Additionally, microneedling is used for general skin rejuvenation purposes to keep skin smooth, glowing, and youthful. Microneedling can also treat sun spots, sun damage, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and contribute to a more even skin tone. At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, our master estheticians often combine microneedling treatments with chemical peels or dermaplaning to maximize results.

Microneedling For Scar Reduction

This same idea can be applied to surgical scarring. When your master esthetician performs microneedling on your surgical scars, your body can help you produce more collagen around the scar. This can help improve the texture of your surgical scar and create a smoother appearance of the scar and surrounding skin. Other esthetic procedures and therapies, like Fraxel laser treatments or chemical peels may assist in lightening the appearance of scars.

Microneedling for post-surgical scar reduction can help reduce the appearance of scars from any surgery (not just cosmetic surgery), nearly anywhere on the body. Most patients tend to seek microneedling for surgical scars in visible places like on or around the face, legs, and abdomen. However, microneedling can treat almost any healed surgery scar.  

Types Of Scarring

While there are many types of scarring, microneedling primarily only treats two types: acne scars and well healed surgical scars. Scars that have developed into hypertrophic scars or keloids require other forms of treatment. Microneedling could worsen these scars or cause more keloid scarring to form because it stimulates the healing process. Those prone to hypertrophic or keloid scarring should not undergo any esthetic procedure without careful consideration and professional guidance.

Microneedling For Acne Scars

Microneedling is one of the hottest and most effective treatments for acne scarring. Acne scars are often atrophic, which means that they heal below the skin. This is caused when the skin is unable to form new tissue. This leaves behind indented scars. Because microneedling stimulates collagen and tissue growth, it can work to even out the look of atrophic acne scarring. 

Microneedling For Surgical Scars

Surgical scars–even when healed well–can look raised and rough. Assuming these scars healed in a healthy manner, microneedling can improve the texture of surgical scars. Other than the scars being fully healed, microneedling can benefit a scar of any age. Newer scars often show better results than older ones. But, because microneedling re-stimulates the healing process over the site, the procedure can help show moderate improvement in older scars.

BENEFITS OF MICRONEEDLING FOR POST-SURGICAL SCAR REDUCTION

Microneedling–when used to treat surgery scars–has many lasting benefits and advantages over other post-surgical scar treatments. Among some of the benefits of microneedling for post-surgical scar reduction include:

• Non-invasive, non-surgical procedure
• Natural treatment that utilizes your body’s own healing response
• Painless procedure
• Improvement in the texture of surgical scarring
• Smoother appearance of scarring
• Safe, sterile procedure
• Improvement in overall look of skin

Individual benefits will vary because everyone’s skin and scarring will react uniquely to microneedling treatment. Microneedling–because it is a non-invasive procedure–usually carries little risk in healthy people. Only those with certain health problems like a tendency towards keloid scarring or excessive bleeding does microneedling carry any major risks.

Our Post-Surgery Scar Protocol

Along with esthetic services like microneedling to reduce scarring, if you have undergone a recent surgical procedure, whether cosmetic surgery with Dr. Jonov, or any other surgery, our proprietary scar treatment protocol can reduce scarring as it heals. Scarring does not happen immediately, it often takes a year or more for scars to form and mature. Therefore, our scar treatment system cares for your scar immediately after surgery, through the entire healing process. This helps to reduce the appearance of your surgical scars before they fully develop.

POST-SURGICAL SCAR REDUCTION MICRONEEDLING PROCEDURE

When you come in for a microneedling appointment, your master esthetician will change out the needles in the FDA-approved microneedling device. They will then adjust it to the appropriate depth. The setting of the device will depend on the part of your body that your scar is located.

Your master esthetician will apply a topical anesthetic to limit any pain or discomfort. They will then begin the treatment by moving the device across the scar and the nearby skin. Your master esthetician will carefully target the scar area and use gentle techniques to stimulate collagen growth around the scar.

The length of the treatment will depend on the size of the treatment area. On average, microneedling for post-surgical scar reduction takes around an hour. 

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

Microneedling usually requires a few treatment sessions to see results because the body takes time to produce and build up collagen. Most patients require between 3 to 6 sessions performed professionally by master estheticians to see the texture of their scarring improve. 

Every patient will respond differently to microneedling treatment because everybody’s healing response varies. Some patients may seem satisfactory results after three sessions, while others will need six. Your master esthetician can help you create a custom microneedling plan to treat your surgical scarring.

As discussed above, when you see results will depend on your body’s unique healing process and response to treatment. Since microneedling sessions are typically spaced out every 4-6 weeks, many patients begin seeing improvement after their second or third session. 

Just like new skin is the last stage of a healing, collagen production and buildup will take time to see. Some patients will begin seeing results after their first or second session. Others may not see results until their third or fourth sessions. This is perfectly normal because every scar is different and everyone will respond in varying amounts of time.

MICRONEEDLING RECOVERY

Immediately after your microneedling session, your skin may look and feel like a mild sunburn. Your skin is more sensitive during this time. Therefore, it is important to wear sunscreen and keep the area covered if possible. Your master esthetician will give you more detailed aftercare instructions that take your skin type, tone, and particular scarring.

Generally, you should avoid sun exposure for at least a week and continue to care for your scars as recommended. Taking good care of your skin the area of your scarring will promote collagen production and keep the skin healthy. This will only improve the results you see from microneedling for post-surgical scar reduction.

Side effects–including those mentioned above–should subside within a few days. Most microneedling patients do not face any disruption from their daily lives after their microneedling scar treatments. Typically, patients with sensitive skin can still undergo the procedure, but they should use caution and expect more irritation after treatment. Your master esthetician at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery can better guide you on protocol after microneedling for post-surgical scarring.

Fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation or ask any questions you may have.

THE POST-SURGICAL SCAR REDUCTION EXPERTS IN SEATTLE, BELLEVUE, AND KIRKLAND

The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery specializes in surgical and non-surgical scar reduction procedures. For microneedling for post-surgical scar reduction, we use only a medical-grade, specially designed microneedling device. Your master esthetician customizes to fit you before every session.

With a location conveniently off the freeway, The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery keeps you comfortable at all of your appointments. We offer freshly baked cookies, coffee, and other beverages. Our luxurious waiting room will ensure that you always feel welcome and content whenever you come to our office. Private treatment rooms provide a relaxing and optimal atmosphere for your microneedling for post-surgical scarring in Seattle.

Our Master Estheticians

A consultation with a master esthetician at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is free and will determine if you are a candidate for microneedling for post-surgical scar reduction. They will first want to know about your general scarring concerns and your goals for your surgical scar. They will then want to know your full medical history. As well as, get a deep understanding of your skin and skin type. 

After this, they will examine the scar and surrounding area to decide if microneedling for scar reduction could address your goals. If your master esthetician believes that microneedling could benefit you, they will create a customized plan that fits you.

To schedule a consultation with a master esthetician at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, call us at 425-775-3561. Or, contact us online using the form above.