David Pudukadan1. 1. Department of Dermatology, Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur, India and Pudukadan's Dermalaser Centre, Thrissur, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Noninvasive technologies for treating acne scars use radiofrequency (RF)-emitting microneedles for both mechanical disruption of fibrotic strands and heat-mediated collagen remodeling. OBJECTIVE: Efficacy and safety evaluation of electronically controlled noninsulated RF microneedling system on acne scars in patients with dark skin. METHODS: Nineteen patients, 24 to 51 years old, skin types III to V, with acne scars were enrolled in the study. Each patient had 3 treatment sessions at monthly intervals using a multisource RF treatment platform with a microneedle RF applicator. Efficacy was evaluated by the Goodman and Barron's Global Qualitative Acne Scarring System. RESULTS: No bleeding points occurred during treatments. Post-treatment erythema was observed immediately after the treatment and lasted up to 10 hours after the treatment. Improvement of at least 1 acne scar grade was noted in 11 of 19 patients (57.9%) after 1 month and in 9 of 9 patients (100%) after 3 months. CONCLUSION: The tested noninsulated electronically controlled RF microneedles were found to be safe and efficient in the treatment of atrophic acne scars in skin types III to V with minimal pain or downtime.
BACKGROUND: Noninvasive technologies for treating acne scars use radiofrequency (RF)-emitting microneedles for both mechanical disruption of fibrotic strands and heat-mediated collagen remodeling. OBJECTIVE: Efficacy and safety evaluation of electronically controlled noninsulated RF microneedling system on acne scars in patients with dark skin. METHODS: Nineteen patients, 24 to 51 years old, skin types III to V, with acne scars were enrolled in the study. Each patient had 3 treatment sessions at monthly intervals using a multisource RF treatment platform with a microneedle RF applicator. Efficacy was evaluated by the Goodman and Barron's Global Qualitative Acne Scarring System. RESULTS: No bleeding points occurred during treatments. Post-treatment erythema was observed immediately after the treatment and lasted up to 10 hours after the treatment. Improvement of at least 1 acne scar grade was noted in 11 of 19 patients (57.9%) after 1 month and in 9 of 9 patients (100%) after 3 months. CONCLUSION: The tested noninsulated electronically controlled RF microneedles were found to be safe and efficient in the treatment of atrophic acne scars in skin types III to V with minimal pain or downtime.