Microneedling vs Dermabrasion for Facial Scars

Overseen By Candace M Waters, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Disqualifiers: Fitzpatrick scale 4-6

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 10 weeks

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study aims to determine whether microneedling or dermabrasion in the early post-operative period is superior in improving the appearance of surgical scars on the face.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Microneedling vs Dermabrasion for Facial Scars?

Research shows that dermabrasion, a technique that involves carefully removing the top layers of skin, is effective for improving the appearance of acne scars and other facial scars. It is a well-established method that allows precise control over the depth of treatment, leading to predictable healing and improved skin appearance. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is dermabrasion safe for treating facial scars?

Dermabrasion is generally considered safe for treating facial scars, with potential complications including changes in skin color, redness, infection, and scarring. Proper preparation, care, and experienced practitioners can help minimize these risks. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How does microneedling differ from dermabrasion for treating facial scars?

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that stimulates collagen production by creating tiny punctures in the skin, making it effective for improving chronic acne scars. Dermabrasion, on the other hand, involves surgical skin planing to precisely remove layers of skin, which can be controlled for depth and is favored for treating scars and fine wrinkles without the use of chemicals. ^{1 2 5 10 11}

Research Team

Candace M Water, MD

Principal Investigator

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with recent surgical scars on their face. Participants should be in good health and not have any skin infections or conditions that could interfere with healing.

Inclusion Criteria

Volunteer adult patients will be identified by visiting the Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

I am over 18 and have a surgical scar on the upper part of my face.

I am willing to enroll in the clinic's research registry and participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

I meet the inclusion criteria without regard to my gender, race/ethnicity, or age.

My skin type is not between 4 to 6 on the Fitzpatrick scale.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either microneedling or dermabrasion treatment for scar improvement

10 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

7 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Dermabrasion
• Microneedling

Trial Overview The study is testing two techniques to improve the appearance of facial scars: microneedling, which uses fine needles, and dermabrasion, which sands down the skin. The goal is to see which method works better right after surgery.

Participant Groups

Group I: microneedling Active Control 1 Intervention

microneedling is a form of collagen induction therapy, often used in conjunction with platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronic acid - Patients will receive two treatments, once at 6-8 weeks following facial surgery, and the second at 12-16 weeks following facial surgery

Group II: dermabrasion Active Control 1 Intervention

dermabrasion is a technique that improves the skin structure, quality, and appearance of scars through collagen remodeling and reepithelization - Patients will receive the standard of care treatment 6-10 weeks following facial surgery

Dermabrasion is already approved in United States, European Union, Canada for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Dermabrasion for:

• Deep acne scars
• Scars from surgery or injury
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Sun damage
• Age spots
• Rhinophyma
• Tattoo removal

Approved in European Union as Dermabrasion for:

• Acne scars
• Surgical scars
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Sun damage
• Age spots
• Skin irregularities

Approved in Canada as Dermabrasion for:

• Deep acne scars
• Scars from surgery or injury
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Sun damage
• Age spots

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,432

Recruited

2,506,000+

Findings from Research

Improvements in dermabrasion techniques have led to better outcomes for treating acne scars and sun-damaged skin, emphasizing the importance of thorough patient evaluation and selection to enhance compliance and therapeutic response.

The optimal dermabrasion procedure now includes advanced techniques such as facial planing, excision of large cysts, and post-procedure filling with liquid collagen or silicone, which collectively help to avoid common pitfalls and improve overall results.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modern dermabrasion techniques: a personal appraisal. Fulton, JE.[2019]

Dermabrasion is a reliable and well-established method for treating facial scars, while recent advancements in laser technology, such as pulsed-dye lasers (PDLs), erbium:YAG, and CO2 lasers, have expanded treatment options.

Pulsed-dye lasers are particularly effective for hypertrophic scars with lower recurrence rates, whereas erbium:YAG and CO2 lasers are better suited for atrophic and acne scars, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate technique based on scar type.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Scar revision via resurfacing. Bradley, DT., Park, SS.[2007]

The described method for managing depressed facial scars involves elevating the scars followed by dermabrasion, which consistently leads to some improvement when the procedure is indicated correctly.

This technique suggests a reliable approach to enhance the appearance of depressed scars, emphasizing the importance of proper patient selection for optimal results.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Correction of depressed scars on the face by a method of elevation. Arouete, J.[2019]

In a prospective study involving four patients, both dermabrasion and high-energy pulsed CO2 laser resurfacing were found to provide similar improvements in the appearance of surgical scars, as assessed through clinical evaluation and textural analysis.

The high-energy pulsed CO2 laser had the advantage of creating a bloodless field and less postoperative crusting compared to dermabrasion, making it a more precise option for scar revision.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser resurfacing and dermabrasion in the revision of surgical scars. Nehal, KS., Levine, VJ., Ross, B., et al.[2019]

Dermabrasion is a highly effective technique for treating scars and acne, offering precise control over the depth of treatment, which can be tailored to individual needs for optimal results.

This method provides early and predictable healing compared to chemical treatments, making it a preferred choice for facial rejuvenation and reconstruction, and it can be safely combined with other surgical procedures.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dermabrasion in facial surgery. Farrior, RT.[2019]

Chemical peel, dermabrasion, and laser skin resurfacing are all effective methods for skin resurfacing used in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.

All three techniques carry similar risks of postoperative complications, which are important to consider when choosing a treatment method.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Diagnosis and treatment of postoperative complications after skin resurfacing. Demas, PN., Bridenstine, JB.[2022]

Dermabrasion is an effective and cost-efficient method for treating scars, wrinkles, and photodamage, showing moderate efficacy and a well-established safety profile.

While dermabrasion can yield results similar to laser resurfacing in skilled hands, it carries a higher risk of bloodborne pathogen exposure and has a longer learning curve, making outcomes less predictable for less experienced practitioners.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dermabrasion. Hruza, GJ.[2005]

Skin resurfacing procedures like CO2 laser treatments, chemical peels, and dermabrasion have comparable complication rates, with common issues including pigment changes, redness, infections, and scarring.

To minimize these complications, it's crucial for patients to receive thorough preoperative advice and for physicians to ensure proper skin preparation, postoperative care, and adequate training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Complications of resurfacing. Ragland, HP., McBurney, E.[2019]

Dermabrasion is a minimally invasive skin resurfacing technique effective for treating wrinkles, abnormal scars, and premalignant lesions, making it a valuable option for skin rejuvenation.

The procedure has a low risk of complications, such as pigment changes and infection, and offers a quicker recovery compared to more invasive surgical options, despite the availability of newer treatments like lasers and chemical peels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dermabrasion. Kim, EK., Hovsepian, RV., Mathew, P., et al.[2011]

Minimally invasive percutaneous collagen induction is a safe and effective treatment for improving the appearance of postsurgical scars, as shown by significant improvements in scar assessment scores in a study of 25 patients.

Starting treatment early (6 to 7 weeks post-surgery) leads to better aesthetic outcomes compared to starting later (13 to 16 weeks post-surgery), highlighting the importance of timing in scar management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Microneedling Outcomes in Early Postsurgical Scars. Claytor, RB., Sheck, CG., Chopra, V.[2022]

Both electrobrasion and dermabrasion effectively improved scar appearance, with reductions in Manchester Scar Scale scores of 1.6 and 1.3 points, respectively, indicating that both methods are beneficial for scar treatment.

Electrobrasion had the advantage of shorter procedure and bleeding times compared to dermabrasion, although there was no significant difference in overall scar improvement between the two techniques.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Electrobrasion vs. manual dermabrasion: a randomized, double-blind, comparative effectiveness trial. Kleinerman, R., Armstrong, AW., Ibrahimi, OA., et al.[2014]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modern dermabrasion techniques: a personal appraisal. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Scar revision via resurfacing. [2007]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Correction of depressed scars on the face by a method of elevation. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser resurfacing and dermabrasion in the revision of surgical scars. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dermabrasion in facial surgery. [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Diagnosis and treatment of postoperative complications after skin resurfacing. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dermabrasion. [2005]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Complications of resurfacing. [2019]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dermabrasion. [2011]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Microneedling Outcomes in Early Postsurgical Scars. [2022]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Electrobrasion vs. manual dermabrasion: a randomized, double-blind, comparative effectiveness trial. [2014]