摘要

Objectives: The objective is to deliver an innovative and comfortable combination therapy that targets and treats hypertrophic scars on the face and body. The non-thermolytic and non-ablative technique is suitable for all Fitzpatrick skin types and ethnicities, especially for patients with darker skins. The procedure offers fast and effective results with minimal downtime. The combination therapy furthermore offers an affordable alternative to traditional scar treatments with less complications and discomfort. Automated technology delivers expert precision and administration. Introduction: As the third most common reason patients seek an aesthetic solution, the scar revision market is estimated to reach a value of USD$34.5 billion by 2025. Patients of Asian, Middle Eastern & African morphotypes serve as a high-risk demographics particularly for hypertrophic and keloid scar formation. Whilst dermal rolling and fractional laser have been preferred treatments for scar reduction since the 1990s, the resulting thermolysis and ablation can be problematic for PIH and the activation of pro-fibrotic growth factors. Materials / method: Updates with skin-needling offer a mechanical scar revision where procedural depth and speed may be customised at any point or time. There is less practitioner dependence. A combination of gliding and imprint techniques not only allow for the physical breakdown of existing fibrous tissue but can also administer steroid and anti-mitotic drugs via infusion method. Such drugs include TA and 5-Fu. A pre-op intralesional injection however may be administered if required. Scars may be treated at multiple angles, without heat or ablation. The procedure may be performed in minutes and without TLA. Results: Patients report an improvement in lesion size and softness within a few days. This effect continues and is maximised with follow-up treatments for at least 4 procedures in total. So, long as the treated area is not re-traumatised, results are long-lasting and provide an above satisfactory cosmetic result. Associated post-inflammatory hyper and hypopigmentation also appear to become rebalanced. Conclusion: The modern patient demands comfortable and affordable procedures that deliver long lasting results. With the pressures of social media and the rise of the ‘selfie’ (face photos) and ‘belfie’ (body photos), patients affected by post-traumatic and post-surgical hypertrophic scars on their face and body now have a new option for scar revision. This innovative technique secures automated micro-needling with steroid and anti-mitotic combination therapies as the preferred method of reliable and precise treatment suitable for patients of all skin types.