[Medical Needling: effect on skin tension and elasticity of hypertrophic burn scars]. / Medical Needling ­ Effekt auf hypertrophe Verbrennungsnarben hinsichtlich der Hautspannung und -elastizität.

BACKGROUND: Burn scars are a serious psychological and physiological problem for affected individuals. Clinical studies and scientific research have shown that Medical Needling improves scar quality in terms of skin elasticity, moisture, transepidermal water loss and erythema. At the same time, patients are confronted with a comparatively low-risk therapy without any postoperative complications. OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was to examine the influence of Medical Needling on mature hypertrophic scars with regard to skin elasticity and tension. A total of 20 patients with an average age of 34.6 years and second or third-degree burn scars were treated. Scars that were at least 2 years old and had healed by secondary intention met the criteria for inclusion in the study. METHODS: Medical Needling is performed using a roller covered with needles of 3 mm length. The needling device is rolled over the scar in three directions: vertically, horizontally and diagonally. The procedure of puncture leads to multiple micro wounds and intradermal bleeding, which induces the post needling regeneration cascade. The patients were followed up for 12 months postoperatively. The results were evaluated by means of objective and subjective measurement methods. RESULTS: Objective measurements show that Medical Needling improves pathological values of skin tension and elasticity. Depending on the scarring, a reduction in tension or an increased tightness of overstrained and lax skin was recorded. Rigid scars gained vital features and profited from a physiological degree of elasticity. CONCLUSION: Medical Needling proves to be a promising approach for the treatment of mature hypertrophic scars with pathological changes of skin elasticity and tension.

Medical Needling: Effect on Skin Erythema of Hypertrophic Burn Scars.

Background Burn scars frequently tend to have pathological discolorations, which is manifested in the development of persistent erythema. Affected people suffer from psychological and physiological issues when they are restricted or rejected in their daily life. In this context, medical needling seems to be an efficient therapy for erythematous scars with a relatively low-risk rate of postoperative complications. Study research has already shown significant improvements in the scar quality with reference to the parameters "moisture and transepidermal water loss." Clinical data is up-to-date and provides an innovative therapy outcome of scar treatment with medical needling. Objective The aim of our study was to examine the influence of medical needling on the pathological and persistent erythema of hypertrophic burn scars. By means of reliable measurement methods, we were able to prove positive and sustainable outcomes for normal and healthy skin. The patient cohort included 20 patients with an average age of 34.63 years. Our examinations involved scars that were at least two years old and had healed by secondary intent. Every scar showed the pathological values of persistent erythema according to the participation requirements. Methods For the practical implementation of medical needling or percutaneous collagen induction (PCI), we used a roller covered with needles of 3 mm length. The needling device is rolled over the scar alternatively in a vertical, horizontal, and diagonal orientation. Multiple micro-wounds at a close distance cause intradermal bleeding, which evokes modified skin regeneration provoked by the effects of medical needling. Every patient has been followed up for 12 months postoperatively. Further on, valid results have been evaluated objectively as well as subjectively by the patient and observer. Results Our study has shown that persistent erythema of hypertrophic scars can be considered as an indication of PCI. The needling procedure influences vascularization by stimulating angiogenesis in the post-needling wound healing cascade. As the method is based on percutaneous collagen induction, the synthesis of collagen improves the vital thickness of the epidermis, which is directly associated with less transparency. Examined scars showed a significant reduction of erythema and were less reddened after treatment. Based on the outcomes of objective measurements, medical needling achieves a normalization of the skin color and an adjustment to healthy skin after repetitive treatments. Conclusion Medical needling seems to be a suitable therapy approach for treating erythematous, hypertrophic burn scars.

Medical Needling: Effect on Moisture and Transepidermal Water Loss of Mature Hypertrophic Burn Scars.

BACKGROUND: Burn scars remain a serious psychological and physiological problem for affected people. Clinical studies and scientific research have already shown that medical needling improves the scar quality in terms of skin elasticity and erythema. At the same time, patients are confronted with a low-risk therapy and face comparatively less postoperative complications. OBJECTIVE: The goal of our study was to examine the influence of medical needling on the skin moisture and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of hypertrophic dry scars. Therefore, 20 patients, of an average age of 34.63 years, with deep second- and third-degree burn scars have been treated. METHODS: Medical needling is performed using a roller covered with needles of 3-mm length. The needling device is rolled over the scar in three directions: vertically, horizontally, and diagonally in order to create as many puncture channels as possible. The puncturing leads to multiple micro-wounds and intradermal bleeding, which evokes the post-needling regeneration cascade. The patients were followed up for 12 months postoperatively. The results have been evaluated by means of objective as well as subjective measurement methods. RESULTS: The objective measures show that medical needling influences epidermal thickness and improves the epidermal barrier function at a molecular level. Outcomes are marked by a measurable increase in skin moisture and a reduction in TEWL. CONCLUSION: Medical needling seems to be a promising approach for the treatment of mature hypertrophic burn scars with a focus on skin moisture and TEWL.