Clear, even skin isn’t a one-and-done. Collagen remodeling takes time—weeks to months—so the best results come from a planned series, not a single aggressive hit (especially in Dubai’s high UV). Standard protocols for atrophic acne scars use 3–5 sessions of microneedling spaced about 4–6 weeks apart, with improvements accumulating as collagen matures.
On the biology side, new matrix formation begins within days, but visible remodeling often declares over 6–12 weeks—another reason most patients see their best changes across a course, not after session one.
Microneedling (Biosome Skin Pen): Session Counts & Timeline
Who it’s for: rolling and shallow boxcar scars, enlarged pores, dull/uneven texture.
Typical plan: 3–5 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart; maintenance every 6–12 months if needed.
What to expect: day 1–2 redness, makeup by day 2 for most; early smoothing by week 2–3; clearer remodeling by weeks 6–12.
Evidence snapshot: systematic and narrative reviews consistently show improvement in atrophic acne scars with microneedling protocols; many studies use ~3 sessions at ~4-week intervals.
Learn more / book: Microneedling
Microneedling + PRP Face: When One Plus One > One
Why add PRP: autologous growth factors can enhance clinical improvement and patient satisfaction vs microneedling alone, without increasing serious adverse events in pooled analyses.
Session math: same cadence as microneedling (3–5 sessions), with PRP Face used as the glide medium and post-treatment infusion. Many patients report a smoother “quality of healing.” (Objective downtime reductions are not uniformly proven.)
RF Facial Contouring (VFR): Fewer Sessions When Laxity Joins Texture
What it adds: controlled radiofrequency at needle tips for dermal tightening plus scar remodeling—useful when texture coexists with early laxity or thicker dermis.
Typical plan: 3–5 sessions at 4–6-week spacing; maintenance 6–12 months.
Safety in Fitz IV–VI: reviews report low risk of dyspigmentation when parameters and aftercare are tailored for skin of color.
Chemical Peels & Medical Facials: How Many for PIH?
Role: treat pigment (PIH) and maintain barrier/glow between remodeling sessions. Lactic and mandelic peels are frequently favored for melanin-rich skin due to tolerability; enzyme-led Medical Facials are helpful when skin is reactive.
Typical plan: 3–6 sessions (superficial depth) over several months, tailored to pigment depth and sensitivity.
Book: Chemical Peel • Facial
By Scar Type: Realistic Session Targets
Rolling scars: start with Microneedling (Biosome Skin Pen) 3–5 sessions; consider PRP Face for quality gains; add RF VFR if mild laxity is present.
Boxcar scars (shallow–moderate): Microneedling ± PRP 3–5 sessions; RF VFR if edges are firm/thick; peels/facials manage PIH but won’t fill pits.
Ice-pick scars: series of Microneedling ± PRP to improve surrounding texture; consider focal techniques (e.g., TCA-CROSS) after assessment—scheduled separately to minimize cumulative inflammation.
PIH overlay: alternate pigment-safe peels/facials between needling sessions (avoid same-day stacking) to keep inflammation and PIH risk low.
Dubai Reality Check: UV, Heat & Session Spacing
Dubai’s UV is consistently high; in practice, that means strict SPF and reapplication every ~2 hours outdoors year-round, plus hats and shade, especially in the first week after procedures.
We also extend no-sweat/sauna windows for ~48 hours after needling or peels to limit heat-driven inflammation that can worsen PIH.
What Changes When You Add Services? (Session Economics & Timing)
Microneedling only: plan 3–5 sessions over 3–4 months; results keep building up to 3+ months after the last session.
Microneedling + PRP Face: same session count; perceived quality often improves; many patients like this approach in high-UV periods.
Microneedling alternating with RF VFR: still ~3–5 total remodeling visits; you might reach your texture goal with fewer microneedling sessions if VFR addresses laxity simultaneously.
Peels/Facials between sessions: expect 3–6 adjunct visits for PIH/glow; they protect the investment by keeping pigment quiet and the barrier strong.
Note on Cynosure Elite+ (LHR): outstanding for laser hair removal; not our first-line for acne scars/PIH.
Mini case examples (Fitz IV–VI)
Fitz V, rolling + PIH: Microneedling ×4, PRP Face at sessions 1–3, mandelic peels at weeks 3/7/11 → photo-tracked improvement by week 12; maintenance peel at 16 weeks.
Fitz IV, shallow boxcar + early laxity: Microneedling ×2 then RF VFR ×2; enzyme facial between visits; strict SPFs with reapplication q2h outdoors.
