What Is The Primary Function Of Medical-Grade Microneedling Devices In The Treatment Of Old Fibrotic Scars?

The primary function of medical-grade microneedling in treating old fibrotic scars is the mechanical severance of contracted fibrous bands situated beneath the scar tissue. By utilizing micron-sized needles to penetrate the dermis, the device creates tens of thousands of controlled micro-wounds that disrupt the hardened tissue and trigger the body's natural wound-healing response.

Medical-grade microneedling serves a dual purpose: it physically breaks down the structural tethers of old scars and simultaneously creates micro-channels that significantly enhance the delivery of topical repair medications.

The Mechanism of Action

Severing Fibrotic Bands

Old fibrotic scars often appear depressed or indented because they are tethered to underlying tissue by contracted fibrous bands.

Medical-grade microneedling addresses this physically rather than chemically or thermally. The mechanical penetration of the needles effectively severs these fibrous bands, releasing the tension that holds the scar down.

Triggering the Healing Cascade

The process involves creating tens of thousands of precise micro-wounds in the dermis.

While these wounds are microscopic, they are sufficient to trick the body into a repair mode. This triggers a natural wound-healing response, prioritizing the synthesis of new collagen.

Enhancing Skin Structure

Collagen Rearrangement

The benefit of this treatment extends beyond simply creating new tissue.

The healing response facilitates the rearrangement of collagen fibers. This restructuring helps to volumize the area, effectively filling in depressed scars and smoothing the skin's surface texture.

Optimizing Topical Delivery

The physical action of the needles creates temporary "tunnels" known as micro-channels.

These channels bypass the skin's outer barrier, allowing for the enhanced penetration and absorption of topical repair medications. This ensures that therapeutic agents reach the depth where they are most needed to aid structural repair.

Understanding the Trade-offs

Mechanical vs. Optical Approaches

It is important to distinguish microneedling from other modalities.

Microneedling relies entirely on mechanical penetration and physical trauma to the dermis. This is distinct from technologies like Picosecond Nd:YAG lasers, which use optical energy to create shockwaves or cavitation bubbles (LIOB) without breaking the skin's surface in the same way.

Invasive Nature

While classified as minimally invasive, microneedling does involve physical compromise of the epidermal barrier.

Because it creates actual openings in the skin, strict sterile protocols are required to prevent infection, unlike non-ablative procedures that might leave the epidermis completely intact.

Assessing the Treatment for Your Needs

To determine if medical-grade microneedling is the appropriate intervention for specific scarring issues, consider the following goals:

If your primary focus is treating depressed or tethered scars: The mechanical action of severing fibrous bands is the critical function required to release tension and allow the skin to lift.
If your primary focus is maximizing topical treatments: The creation of micro-channels will provide the necessary pathway for repair medications to penetrate deep into the dermis.

By leveraging the body's own ability to rebuild through controlled physical stimulation, microneedling offers a structural solution to the complex problem of fibrotic scarring.

Summary Table:

Mechanism	Primary Action	Therapeutic Benefit
Physical Severance	Mechanical penetration of dermis	Breaks down tethered fibrous bands and releases skin tension.
Wound Healing	Creation of 10,000+ micro-wounds	Triggers natural collagen synthesis and structural rearrangement.
Micro-channels	Temporary epidermal openings	Dramatically increases absorption of topical repair medications.
Textural Repair	Dermal restructuring	Volumizes depressed scars and smooths surface irregularities.

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Are you looking to provide your patients with industry-leading solutions for complex skin textures and fibrotic scarring? BELIS specializes in professional-grade medical aesthetic equipment designed exclusively for high-end clinics and premium salons.

Our advanced Microneedle RF systems and professional microneedling technologies offer the precision required to mechanically disrupt scar tissue while promoting rapid dermal regeneration. In addition to our microneedling range, we provide a full suite of specialized devices, including:

Advanced Laser Systems: Diode Hair Removal, CO2 Fractional (ideal for scar resurfacing), Nd:YAG, and Pico lasers.
Body Sculpting: EMSlim, Cryolipolysis, and RF Cavitation.
Specialized Care: Hydrafacial systems, skin testers, and HIFU.

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References

Deepika J. Sanbal and Ashok Hogade. A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CO2 LASER + MICRONEEDLING AND CO2 LASERIN PATIENTS WITHACNE SCARS. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7781011

This article is also based on technical information from Belislaser Knowledge Base .