Microneedling Tummy Tuck Scar
The Micro Needling Tummy Tuck Scar Technique is a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny needles to stimulate collagen production in the skin. This process can help minimize the appearance of scars and improve the overall look of your tummy tuck scar.
Scars are formed as a result of trauma to the skin, which causes inflammation and swelling in the tissues. The body then sends blood vessels to the injured area, which create new tissue called granulation tissue. Granulation tissue is pink, red and shiny, but it doesn’t last long—it dies off and turns into collagen and elastin fibers over time. These are what give your skin its strength and elasticity.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Microneedling Tummy Tuck Scar, microneedling tummy tuck scar before and after, tummy tuck scar removal cost, microneedling on surgical scars, and When do you microneedle a tummy tuck scar?
Unfortunately, people don’t heal perfectly every time they get injured. Sometimes scars remain because there wasn’t enough granulation tissue made at first or because it wasn’t strong enough when it did form; sometimes people just have more sensitive skin than others and can’t tolerate a lot of irritation from healing wounds; sometimes people have genetic factors that make them more prone to scarring than others who don’t carry those genes (like dark skinned people vs light skinned people).
Microneedling Tummy Tuck Scar
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 heal 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.
Microneedling Surgical Scars Before and After
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. 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 scars 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 scars improve.
Every patient will respond differently to microneedling treatment because everybody’s healing response varies. Some patients may see 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.
How Soon Can I See Results?
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.
tummy tuck scar removal cost
Dr. Parit Patel, a board-certified plastic surgeon, is renowned for his expertise in scar revision procedures in Chicago. With his skillful hands and keen eye for detail, Dr. Patel has helped numerous patients achieve remarkable results in reducing the appearance of scars. Whether it be from a previous surgery, injury, or acne, Dr. Patel is dedicated to providing his patients with natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. His commitment to excellence and patient satisfaction has earned him a reputation as a top provider of scar revision in the Chicago area. If you are looking to improve the appearance of a scar, Dr. Patel is the go-to surgeon for achieving your aesthetic goals.
What Is a Scar Revision Procedure?
When skin is wounded from either surgery or trauma, the skin heals with a scar. Depending on many different factors such as surgical technique, environmental factors, and individual wound healing abilities, the scar will vary in appearance.
Some patients will heal with a thin scar that is inconspicuous and others will heal with a scar that can be thick, raised, and red. A scar revision is a procedure that is performed for thick and unsightly scars that have had at least 12–18 months to heal.
Am I a Candidate for a Scar Revision?
If you have a scar that bothers you in appearance and has had adequate time to heal and settle, you may be a candidate for a scar revision. It is important to note that all wounds of the skin heal with a scar, even after scar revision surgery. After the scar revision, another scar will form but the goal is that the new scar will be less noticeable.
Some patients develop thick scars, such as keloid scars, which are difficult to treat with a scar revision. Be sure to tell your plastic surgeon if you or family members tend to heal with thick scars or keloid scars.
What to Expect from Your Consultation
When you schedule a consultation with the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago, you will speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will review your goals with you and perform an examination to see if you are a good candidate for a scar revision. Be prepared to discuss your medical history, any medications you might be taking, known allergies, and previous surgeries.
How is a Scar Revision Performed?
Even though scar revisions are relatively minor procedures, it is still always important to have an expert board-certified plastic surgeon perform your procedure. Technique, experience, and skill level matter when having any surgical procedure.
Scar revisions are typically performed in the office under local anesthesia. Your plastic surgeon will determine the best orientation of the new scar based on shadow lines and natural skin creases. A surgical knife will be used to remove the scar meticulously. The wound will be closed with a no-touch technique, maximizing the patient’s ability to heal.
In many cases, most or all of the sutures that are placed are dissolvable. In certain situations, the external sutures may have to be removed.
Recovery after Scar Revision
The recovery time is usually very quick, and patients can return to school or work the following day. Wound care instructions are provided, and patients follow up in 1-2 weeks for a wound check and to remove sutures if needed. Patients can start strenuous activity 1-2 weeks after the procedure. After the scar has healed, your plastic surgeon will teach you ways to minimize the scar over time.
Potential Risks Associated with a Scar Revision
Scar revisions are safe and carry little risk if carried out by a board-certified plastic surgeon. There are, however, potential risks that can be associated with any surgical procedure. The potential risks of a scar revision may include:
It is a common misconception that plastic surgeons can perform scarless surgery. Unfortunately, any surgical procedure or any significant trauma to the skin, results in scar formation. The goal is to give the patient’s body the best opportunity to heal with a minimal scar.
What Does a Scar Revision Cost?
It is difficult to give an average price of a scar revision due to several variables, such as your location, the expertise of the plastic surgeon, and the size of the scar to be revised. The range can be between $1000 and $4000 but be sure to discuss all costs associated with your treatment during your consultation.
Microneedling on Surgical Scars
No matter how skilled your surgeon is, there will be some degree of scarring after any surgery. While cosmetic medicine has come a long way in minimizing scarring and innovating techniques to allow for subtle incision placement, we’ve yet to create a truly “scarless” procedure. That said, treating surgical scarring is now more advanced than ever.
Scars are a natural (and essential) part of the healing process. When skin is broken or damaged, your body creates a buildup of collagen fibers, called fibroblasts, that help heal and protect your skin. How much of a scar develops tends to vary based on the type of wound and your genetic predisposition.
Multiple patients who undergo identical procedures can develop very different scarring patterns. Some people are more prone to thick, raised, or hypertrophic scars, while others may only see a rather faint, flat, and slightly discolored scar. If cared for properly, scars tend to fade gradually on their own over time.
If you’re hoping to speed things up, though, Microneedling is one of the most popular and effective treatments to reduce and, in some cases, eliminate surgical scarring. This procedure can be particularly useful for patients prone to thicker scarring or who’ve experienced sun damage in the area surrounding a surgical incision.
How Microneedling Reduces Scarring
One of our master aestheticians performs microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy or derma rolling, in-office. By utilizing an advanced handheld device, your technician will create controlled micro-injuries in the top layer of skin surrounding your surgical scar to induce rapid healing and general skin improvements.
We’ll precisely adjust the needles’ penetration to provide the best possible results, depending on the scar’s size and severity. Each needle impact creates a microscopic wound, stimulating the growth of new collagen. As your body heals, you’ll see holistic improvements to scar size, skin tone, and hyperpigmentation.
Most patients experience very light (often imperceptible) bleeding, swelling, and redness immediately following treatment. Over the next few hours, you’ll see a big improvement, with results continuing to refine over the next two to three days.
To see optimal results, most patients will require a series of treatments spaced out over several months. During your consultation, we’ll give you a clear idea of how many treatments you’ll need depending on your scarring, goals, and medical history.
When do you microneedle a tummy tuck scar
Performed early after surgery, a procedure called microneedling can improve the final appearance of surgical scars, with best results if done within six to seven weeks, reports a study in the September issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Wolters Kluwer publishes the journal in the Lippincott portfolio.
That’s in contrast to the “conventional wisdom” that treatments to improve the appearance of surgical scars should be delayed for up to a year, according to the new research by Casey Gene Sheck, DO, and colleagues under the direction of R. Brannon Claytor, MD, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Main Line Health at Claytor/Noone Plastic Surgery in Bryn Mawr, Pa. “Our findings suggest that microneedling 6 weeks after surgery to restart the healing process is an option to improve the final outcomes of postoperative scarring,” the researchers write.
‘Paradigm shift’ on preventive approaches to improve scarring Microneedling is a nonsurgical technique that has been used to improve the appearance of the skin in a number of conditions, such as chronic acne scars. In this procedure, after the skin is numbed, a power handpiece with needles of different sizes is used to create tiny channels in the skin.
Sometimes called “minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction,” microneedling works by inducing the body’s own healing factors, such as collagen and elastin. Typically, microneedling or other treatments to improve the appearance of surgical scars have been delayed until after the scar has fully matured: between 6 and 12 months. Dr. Sheck and colleagues evaluated an alternative approach using microneedling in earlier phases of the healing process, with the goal of reactivating the healing pathway.
Microneedling Results
The study included 25 women with surgical scars resulting from various plastic/skin surgery procedures, such as benign lesion removal, facelifts, or tummy tucks. Each patient underwent microneedling, with the first treatment performed at 6 and 16 weeks after surgery. The second and third treatments were performed 4 and 8 weeks later, respectively.
After microneedling, the patients had significant improvement in scar appearance, based on three different standardized assessments. For example, on the Patient and Observer Scar Scale (POSAS, with a range from 6 to 60, with lower scores indicating better appearance), average score decreased from 23.7 before microneedling to 11.7 at follow-up (2 months after the last treatment).
The researchers also compared results for patients who started microneedling earlier, 6 to 7 weeks after surgery; versus later, 13 to 16 weeks. The results showed “markedly better” improvement in POSAS scores for the earlier treatment group: from 16.8 to 8.1, compared with 26.1 to 14.2 in the later treatment group. Outcomes were similar for patients in different age groups and for those with scars located on the body versus face.
New Advice Improves Outcomes
“While more research is needed to fully evaluate this finding, it certainly represents a significant paradigm shift in scar management,” Dr. Sheck and colleagues conclude. “Patients and surgeons interested in maximizing scar management may elect for early intervention with microneedling prior to development of undesirable scars as a matter of preventative care.”
In contrast to the standard advice to delay treatment until the scar is completely healed, the new study suggests that early microneedling, performed during the late proliferation/early maturation phase of healing, can markedly improve final scar appearance. The improvement may result from reactivation of the healing process at a time when collagen production has started to decline.
