Post-Op Microneedling and How it Improves the Appearance of Scars
November 16, 2022Plastic surgery can be an excellent option to help individuals achieve their body goals. Naturally, with any incision, comes a scar. Some individuals shy away from plastic surgery because they don’t want a lasting mark of the procedure they had done. However, there are many different approaches to reducing the appearance of post-surgical scars, such as microneedling. Microneedling is a great treatment option for post-operative scars. A post-op microneedling procedure should be performed by an experienced practitioner and must be done with a FDA-approved microneedling device.
Post-Op Microneedling Restarts the Healing Process
Microneedling creates micro-injuries into the skin with tiny needles. These needles cause micro-injuries which bring new attention to the area, restarts the healing process, and rejuvenates the skin. Microneedling stimulates collagen turnover and myofibroblast (think tiny muscle cell) contractures. Microneedling helps flatten surgical scars and gives scars an overall smoother appearance. Most patients need a minimum of three treatments. Each microneedling procedure should be separated by one month. Patients may begin to see results after their first or second session, but because everybody is different, results may vary.
Microneedling is performed with a device featuring multiple fine-gauge needles, like the Eclipse MicroPen, to safely create micro-injuries on the skin.
Microneedling is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that can be done in the office, with or without topical numbing cream. Scars must be well-healed before a microneedling treatment is initiated. Procedure time depends on the length and quantity of the scar. The downtime is minimal. The microneedling treatment area may be red for a few days, this is normal. After a micro-needling procedure, patients should keep the treated area away from the sun and avoid physical activity for a minimum of 24 hours.
So if you’re thinking of plastic surgery, but are shying away because of the scar, or perhaps you already have a scar from a previous procedure, microneedling may be the way to go. Microneedling is an inexpensive, safe, and almost painless procedure to minimize and improve scars.
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen specializes in reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss.
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. J. Timothy Katzen is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is the President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Katzen specializes in reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss. He has written many articles and given lectures around the world about how to perform plastic surgery on patients who have undergone massive weight loss. Dr. Katzen has plastic surgery offices in two different states and two different countries. Specifically, he has offices in Beverly Hills (California), Las Vegas (Nevada), and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). Read more articles from Dr. Katzen! |
