Vivace for Surgical Scars and Trauma Scars on the Face

A facial scar from surgery or an injury can change in color, texture, thickness, and visibility as it matures. When the skin has fully healed, some people explore procedures that may make the scar blend more naturally with the surrounding skin. Vivace, an RF microneedling treatment available at Waverly DermSpa, may be one option considered for selected facial scars.

The important word is selected. Surgical and trauma scars are not all alike, and treatment should be based on the scar’s type, age, location, color, texture, and the way the original wound healed. A dermatologist can evaluate those details before deciding whether RF microneedling is appropriate.

Quick answer

• Vivace combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy delivered into the skin.
• For some fully healed surgical or trauma scars, this type of treatment may help improve uneven texture and make a scar less noticeable.
• RF microneedling is not appropriate for every scar, especially if the area is still healing, inflamed, infected, or otherwise medically concerning.
• Raised scars, depressed scars, pigment changes, and scars that pull on nearby structures may require different treatment approaches.
• A dermatologist should examine a facial scar before treatment so the plan can be matched to the scar rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

What Vivace is

Vivace is a radiofrequency microneedling treatment. Very small needles enter the skin while radiofrequency energy is delivered at controlled depths. The purpose is to create a controlled response within the treated tissue that can support collagen remodeling.

Microneedling is used in dermatology for several concerns involving texture, including certain scars. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that dermatologists may use microneedling for scars caused by surgery or injury. RF microneedling adds controlled thermal energy to the needling process, so it has its own considerations and risks.

For a facial scar, the goal is generally not to erase the scar. A more realistic objective is to improve how the scar blends with nearby skin when the scar type is suitable for treatment. Results vary, and some scars respond better to other approaches.

Why surgical and trauma scars need individual evaluation

A scar is the result of the body’s wound-healing process, but two scars from similar injuries can look very different. Before recommending a procedure, a dermatologist may consider several features:

• Texture: The scar may be flat, depressed, thickened, firm, or uneven.
• Color: A scar may remain pink or red, become lighter than the surrounding skin, or develop darker pigmentation.
• Location: Facial movement, skin thickness, and nearby structures can affect treatment choices.
• Maturity: A recently closed wound is different from a mature scar that has been stable for months or longer.
• Scar behavior: Some scars remain within the original injury line, while others may become raised or continue changing.
• Skin tone: The possibility of post-inflammatory pigment changes should be considered when planning any procedure that intentionally creates controlled skin injury.

These differences matter because a treatment that may be useful for an uneven or depressed scar might not be the preferred approach for a thick, actively changing, or medically complicated scar.

What you can do at home

Home care cannot replace an in-person scar evaluation, but gentle skin care can help protect the surrounding skin. Once a wound has completely healed and your clinician says normal skin care is appropriate, a simple routine is often preferable to aggressive experimentation.

• Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer that do not unnecessarily irritate the area.
• Protect the scar and surrounding skin from ultraviolet exposure with appropriate sun protection.
• Avoid picking, scratching, or repeatedly exfoliating the scar.
• Do not use at-home RF microneedling devices on a facial scar. The FDA describes RF microneedling as a medical procedure and recommends seeking a licensed health care provider with appropriate training and experience.
• Ask your dermatologist before adding strong acids, retinoids, bleaching products, or other potentially irritating ingredients directly over a scar.

If a scar is painful, increasingly red, draining, opening, rapidly changing, or otherwise concerning, skip cosmetic treatment and arrange a medical evaluation.

Professional options for facial scars

There is no single procedure that fits every surgical or trauma scar. Depending on the scar, a dermatologist may discuss RF microneedling or other approaches designed to address texture, color, thickness, or contour.

For scars with uneven texture, microneedling-based procedures may be considered after appropriate healing. Other scars may benefit from laser-based treatment, injections, surgical revision, or combinations of treatments. Pigment changes may need a different strategy from textural changes.

Timing also matters. Treating a scar too early, before the wound has healed appropriately, can create unnecessary risk. A clinician can assess whether the scar is mature enough for an elective procedure and whether there are reasons to choose another option.

It is also important to understand the safety considerations of RF microneedling. In October 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety communication after reports of serious complications with certain uses of RF microneedling devices, including burns, scarring, fat loss, nerve damage, and other injuries. The FDA recommends discussing benefits and risks with a licensed health care provider who has training and experience with RF microneedling.

When to see a dermatologist

A dermatologist can evaluate a facial scar before you invest in cosmetic treatment and can help determine what type of scar is present. Consider scheduling an evaluation if:

• The scar remains raised, firm, painful, itchy, or continues to enlarge.
• The area has persistent redness, warmth, drainage, crusting, or other signs that could suggest a healing problem.
• The scar pulls on an eyelid, lip, nose, or another structure and affects normal movement or function.
• You have significant lightening or darkening of the scar compared with your surrounding skin.
• You are unsure whether the wound has healed enough for a procedure.
• You want to compare RF microneedling with other scar-treatment options rather than choosing a procedure based only on appearance.

Scar treatment can be highly individualized, particularly on the face, where small differences in depth, location, and skin movement can influence the plan.

Frequently asked questions

Can Vivace completely remove a surgical scar?

No procedure should be expected to completely erase a scar. For appropriately selected scars, RF microneedling may help improve aspects of texture or overall visibility, but the degree of improvement varies.

Can Vivace be used on a scar from an accident?

Potentially, but the original cause of the scar is only one factor. A dermatologist would also consider whether the scar is fully healed, its depth and texture, its location, and whether it is raised, depressed, discolored, or otherwise complicated.

Can a new facial scar be treated right away?

Not necessarily. Fresh wounds and recently healed scars go through ongoing remodeling. The appropriate timing for an elective procedure varies, so the area should be examined before treatment.

Is RF microneedling the same as regular microneedling?

No. Both use small needles, but RF microneedling also delivers radiofrequency energy into tissue. That additional energy changes the treatment and introduces additional safety considerations.

Can Vivace help with scar discoloration?

Scar discoloration and scar texture are separate concerns. RF microneedling may be considered when texture is part of the problem, but persistent redness, hyperpigmentation, or loss of pigment may require a different or combined approach. A dermatologist can evaluate which feature is most important to address.

How many treatments will I need?

There is no universal number for facial scars. The plan depends on the type and severity of the scar, the treatment selected, your skin’s response, and your clinician’s assessment. Any series should be individualized rather than promised in advance.

At Waverly DermSpa, we offer Vivace and can help you understand whether it may be appropriate.

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. For diagnosis and personalized treatment, please book an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist.

Sources & further reading

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Potential Risks with Certain Uses of Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling – FDA Safety Communication
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) – Microneedling can fade scars, uneven skin tone, and more