How does Dermapen work for treating deep acne scars, and can it be combined with subcision?

Doctor's Answer

Hi,

The key principle of acne scar treatment is “controlled injury” to the dermis where the acne scar tissue is located. This controlled injury to the dermis allows for subsequent healing to occur, laying down new and more organized collagen tissue, and resulting in improvement in the appearance of acne scars.

The various techniques for inducing controlled injury to the skin includes:

  1. Energy-based e.g. Fractional lasering, fractional RF
  2. Mechanical e.g. scar revision surgery, subcision, microneedling
  3. Chemical e.g. TCA cross

The details of the various treatments may be found in the Acne Scar Section.

In general, more superficial scars will improve better than deeper scars vis a vis similar treatment performed.

Dermapen may be viewed as an elegant dermaroller/microneedling procedure. Judicious combination with another technique such as subcision may be done but over aggressive combination treatment is best avoided to minimize the risk of potential side effects.

Hope this helps!

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