Robyn D. Siperstein, MD: Microneedling Techniques for Skin of Color

For her interview with HCPLive, Robyn D. Siperstein, MD, discussed her presentation from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 2023 Annual Meeting in New Orleans on microneedling technique advancements.

Siperstein is the founder of Siperstein Dermatology in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach, and known for her specialty in skin cancer as well as geriatric and cosmetic dermatology.

“So I specifically spoke about microneedling with radiofrequency and how it's an amazing procedure also in darker skin individuals,” she explained. “Right now we have really no good treatment options, especially for hypertrophic scars for those with darker skin types, and the reason is that a lot of the treatments that we use for lighter skin types cause side effects in darker skin types.”

Siperstein then described some examples of such effects, including the injection of triamcinolone causing hypopigmentation and fractional resurfacing causing a grid-like pattern and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

“So, how usually microneedling with radiofrequency works is needles go into the skin and in non or semi-insulated, the heat goes from the top downwards,” she said. “With insulated tips, which is the key to treating darker-skinned individuals, the heat is only at the bottom. And so it leaves the top without getting affected, without injuring the top layer of the skin.”

This technique, she explained, helps prevent the effect of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and may even treat scarring, as the heat denatures the collagen underneath from hypertrophic scarring.

When asked about the potential for adverse effects, Siperstein explained that there were not many to speak of.

“I have yet to come across any side effects,” she said. “I don't know if you want to call slight pain during treatment a side effect. No long-lasting issues with this treatment, which is why it's 1 of my favorites to help with the pain…The only 2 negatives I can think about with this procedure is pain and then sometimes multiple treatments are needed.”

She added that if there is slight pain during treatment, she recommends numbing agents or even nitrous oxide and other types of things that one would normally have in one’s practice to maintain patients’ comfort.

To learn more about this presentation, view the full HCPLive interview above.