Scars are a disturbing sequela of surgery. Minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction, better-known microneedling, has demonstrated remarkable improvements in chronic acne scars; however, there is a lack of evidence for treating post-surgical scars during active wound healing. 

The present study demonstrated the utility and safe use of minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction in acute post-surgical scars.

The study enrolled 25 patients who underwent surgery and had scars treated with three minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction treatments in the postoperative period. The study assessed scars by Vancouver Scar Scale, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale after each of the three treatments and at the final 2-month follow-up.

The study observed:

• An improvement in Vancouver Scar Scale, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale scores, in the patients, at 16-week post-treatment initiation evaluation than initial measurement. 
• No statistically significant differences in comparing the age of the patient, location of scars or Fitzpatrick phototype scales among patients. 
• A statistically significant difference in the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale group on comparing patients who began treatment early (6-7 weeks postoperatively) to those who started treatment late (13-16 weeks postoperatively).

This study indicates no adverse outcomes in post-surgical scars treated with minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction in the maturation and remodeling phase. Interestingly, it also shows that treatment initiated early in the maturation phase (6-7 weeks postoperatively), while natural collagen formation was tapering off, imparts improved esthetic outcomes than to treatments initiated late in the maturation phase (13-16 weeks postoperatively).

Source: Claytor RB, Sheck CG, Chopra V. Microneedling outcomes in early post-surgical scars. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022;150(3):557e-561e.