When surgery involves cutting the thick layer of skin called the dermis, this creates a wound. The body rushes to repair it with collagen fibres to keep out toxins and germs. This rush to heal a sudden and sometimes major 'trauma' to the skin results in a scar.
Surgical scars tend to be shiny, with a smooth surface texture that is different to the surrounding skin. The scar may start off as red but gradually fade over time to a white line (if you have darker skin, a scar may sometimes get darker rather than lighter).
Surgical scars also tend to have a pitted appearance, with some parts seeming to 'sink in' to the body. That's because often, the muscle and fat that sat under the skin is no longer there to support it.
Surgical scarring is usually more pronounced in older people, as our skin loses some of its elasticity, firmness and density as we age. We have less collagen in our skin, making it slower to heal. This is 'intrinsic aging': an unavoidable part of growing older!
Activities such as smoking or too much UV light exposure, either from the sun or a tanning bed, can also increase the likelihood and severity of scarring post-surgery. These are 'extrinsic aging' factors—aspects of our skin health that we have control over.
Heredity also plays a part in our skin's resilience to scarring, as do medical conditions like Ehlers Danlos Syndromes, which cause the skin to be thinner and more fragile.
How long a surgical scar takes to heal depends on the depth and length of the incision, and how much stress is put on the wound in the recovery period.
Microneedling works by creating tiny punctures in your skin. This stimulates the skin and its healing process, causing the production of the skin proteins collagen and elastin. Collagen is the skin's scaffolding protein, giving it structure, plumpness and firmness, while elastin gives the skin its ability to stretch and 'bounce back' into its resting position.
A numbing cream is applied to the area to be treated. Then, a device fitted with fine needles (around 0.5mm–1mm long) is moved over the scars, forming small wounds.
Microneedling sessions are usually four to six weeks apart, and several sessions are required for maximum results. You can expect improvements in texture and colour as a new, smother layer of skin is revealed.
Microneedling works best for indented scars, where collagen can work to 'fill' them. It's not recommended for keloid scars (raided, bubbled scarring), where collagen build-up is part of the problem.
If you have rosacea, seek professional advice first. The suitability of microneedling for your condition may depend on the type of rosacea you have and what triggers it.
Microneedling is not recommended if:
Avoid anything that might irritate your skin before and after treatment. Ensure you stay well-hydrated in the days before a treatment, as this will help to reduce aftereffects such as mild inflammation and bruising.
These side-effects shouldn't last longer than a few days. During this time, avoid direct sunlight and strenuous exercise to give your skin the time it needs to heal.
Continue to care for your skin as directed by your microneedling practitioner and health professionals—and look forward to seeing an improvement in the appearance of your scars after a few microneedling sessions.
Further reading
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