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Hypopigmentation or depigmentation of the skin is very challenging to treat. The loss of melanin in the skin is often a frustrating problem, resulting from acne, burn scars, vitiligo, topically applied chemicals, or cryotherapy. To date, there is no universally accepted treatment that restores skin pigmentation. In our clinic, the induction of trauma to the skin via a series of microneedling or subcision treatments has shown promise in increasing the pigmentation of skin with localized hypo- or depigmented patches.
to improve the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, photoaging, stretch marks, enlarged pores, and other cosmetic issues characterized by loss of collagen or altered collagen remodeling. The skin-needling technique involves fine sterile needles 0.1 mm–2.5 mm in length that repeatedly pierce the stratum corneum producing microscopic “holes” in the dermis. These microscopic wounds lead to the release of growth factors stimulating the formation of new collagen, elastin, and neovascularization in the dermis. Similar to microneedling, subcision uses repeat trauma to the dermis and subcutis through the insertion and repeat movement of a needle.
In our practice, patients presenting with hypopigmentation of the skin from a variety of causes have been treated with a series of five subcision or microneedling procedures, resulting in rapid repigmentation of the skin with minimal to no side effects. Trauma to the skin causes regenerative mechanisms and wound healing. The release of cytokines that induce neoangiogenesis, neocollagenesis, and the deposition of hemosiderin from dermal bleeding induce the activation of melanocytes and stimulate skin pigmentation.
Subcision and microneedling are safe, effective, in-office procedures with vast indications that now can be applied to depigmented and hypopigmented skin. Patients have little to no downtime and results are permanent.
Dr. Talakoub and Dr. Wesley are co-contributors to this column. Dr. Talakoub is in private practice in McLean, Va. Dr. Wesley practices dermatology in Beverly Hills, Calif. This month’s column is by Dr. Talakoub. Write to them at [email protected]. They had no relevant disclosures.
References
Dermatol Surg. 1995 Jun;21(6):543-9.
Aesthet Plast Surg. 1997 Jan-Feb;21(1):48-51.
Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2005 Feb;17(1):51-63.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008 Apr;121(4):1421-9.
Clin Dermatol. 2008 Mar-Apr;26(2):192-9.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008 Nov;122(5):1553-63.
J Dermatolog Treat. 2012 Apr;23(2):144-52.
J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009 Jan;2(1):26-30.
J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009 Jul;2(2):110-1.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2014 Sep;13(3):180-7.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 Nov;75(5):e195-e197.
Hypopigmentation or depigmentation of the skin is very challenging to treat. The loss of melanin in the skin is often a frustrating problem, resulting from acne, burn scars, vitiligo, topically applied chemicals, or cryotherapy. To date, there is no universally accepted treatment that restores skin pigmentation. In our clinic, the induction of trauma to the skin via a series of microneedling or subcision treatments has shown promise in increasing the pigmentation of skin with localized hypo- or depigmented patches.
to improve the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, photoaging, stretch marks, enlarged pores, and other cosmetic issues characterized by loss of collagen or altered collagen remodeling. The skin-needling technique involves fine sterile needles 0.1 mm–2.5 mm in length that repeatedly pierce the stratum corneum producing microscopic “holes” in the dermis. These microscopic wounds lead to the release of growth factors stimulating the formation of new collagen, elastin, and neovascularization in the dermis. Similar to microneedling, subcision uses repeat trauma to the dermis and subcutis through the insertion and repeat movement of a needle.
In our practice, patients presenting with hypopigmentation of the skin from a variety of causes have been treated with a series of five subcision or microneedling procedures, resulting in rapid repigmentation of the skin with minimal to no side effects. Trauma to the skin causes regenerative mechanisms and wound healing. The release of cytokines that induce neoangiogenesis, neocollagenesis, and the deposition of hemosiderin from dermal bleeding induce the activation of melanocytes and stimulate skin pigmentation.
Subcision and microneedling are safe, effective, in-office procedures with vast indications that now can be applied to depigmented and hypopigmented skin. Patients have little to no downtime and results are permanent.
Dr. Talakoub and Dr. Wesley are co-contributors to this column. Dr. Talakoub is in private practice in McLean, Va. Dr. Wesley practices dermatology in Beverly Hills, Calif. This month’s column is by Dr. Talakoub. Write to them at [email protected]. They had no relevant disclosures.
References
Dermatol Surg. 1995 Jun;21(6):543-9.
Aesthet Plast Surg. 1997 Jan-Feb;21(1):48-51.
Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2005 Feb;17(1):51-63.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008 Apr;121(4):1421-9.
Clin Dermatol. 2008 Mar-Apr;26(2):192-9.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008 Nov;122(5):1553-63.
J Dermatolog Treat. 2012 Apr;23(2):144-52.
J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009 Jan;2(1):26-30.
J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009 Jul;2(2):110-1.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2014 Sep;13(3):180-7.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 Nov;75(5):e195-e197.
Hypopigmentation or depigmentation of the skin is very challenging to treat. The loss of melanin in the skin is often a frustrating problem, resulting from acne, burn scars, vitiligo, topically applied chemicals, or cryotherapy. To date, there is no universally accepted treatment that restores skin pigmentation. In our clinic, the induction of trauma to the skin via a series of microneedling or subcision treatments has shown promise in increasing the pigmentation of skin with localized hypo- or depigmented patches.
to improve the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, photoaging, stretch marks, enlarged pores, and other cosmetic issues characterized by loss of collagen or altered collagen remodeling. The skin-needling technique involves fine sterile needles 0.1 mm–2.5 mm in length that repeatedly pierce the stratum corneum producing microscopic “holes” in the dermis. These microscopic wounds lead to the release of growth factors stimulating the formation of new collagen, elastin, and neovascularization in the dermis. Similar to microneedling, subcision uses repeat trauma to the dermis and subcutis through the insertion and repeat movement of a needle.
In our practice, patients presenting with hypopigmentation of the skin from a variety of causes have been treated with a series of five subcision or microneedling procedures, resulting in rapid repigmentation of the skin with minimal to no side effects. Trauma to the skin causes regenerative mechanisms and wound healing. The release of cytokines that induce neoangiogenesis, neocollagenesis, and the deposition of hemosiderin from dermal bleeding induce the activation of melanocytes and stimulate skin pigmentation.
Subcision and microneedling are safe, effective, in-office procedures with vast indications that now can be applied to depigmented and hypopigmented skin. Patients have little to no downtime and results are permanent.
Dr. Talakoub and Dr. Wesley are co-contributors to this column. Dr. Talakoub is in private practice in McLean, Va. Dr. Wesley practices dermatology in Beverly Hills, Calif. This month’s column is by Dr. Talakoub. Write to them at [email protected]. They had no relevant disclosures.
References
Dermatol Surg. 1995 Jun;21(6):543-9.
Aesthet Plast Surg. 1997 Jan-Feb;21(1):48-51.
Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2005 Feb;17(1):51-63.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008 Apr;121(4):1421-9.
Clin Dermatol. 2008 Mar-Apr;26(2):192-9.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008 Nov;122(5):1553-63.
J Dermatolog Treat. 2012 Apr;23(2):144-52.
J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009 Jan;2(1):26-30.
J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009 Jul;2(2):110-1.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2014 Sep;13(3):180-7.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 Nov;75(5):e195-e197.