Clinical evaluation of needle‐free electronic pneumatic hyaluronic acid injection treatment for facial atrophic acne scars: A prospective, randomized comparative trial

Abstract

Acne vulgaris and acne scars, which are among the most common skin conditions and which can affect people of all ages, can be psychologically devastating. Up to 90% of adolescents are estimated to have acne at some time. 1,2 In a recent study of 240 Japanese patients with facial acne, 147 (61.2%) had facial atrophic acne scars. 3 Atrophic acne scarring involves atrophication and fibrosis. It is thought that new collagen production and remodeling will improve the appearance of acne scars. A variety of acne scar treatments are available, including ablative or nonablative laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, surgical methods, dermal filler needle injection, subcision, and chemical peels, and often a combination of modalities is superior to a single approach. However, these treatments are associated with a significant risk of pigmentary complications, scarring, infection, and prolonged healing. 1,4,5 Hyaluronic acid (HA) is composed of water-retaining glycosaminoglycan polysaccharide, a naturally occurring component of the body's connective tissue. 5 HA is not an animal-derived compound, so there is no risk of transmitting disease, and there is minimal risk of allergic reactions, so the need for pretreatment skin testing is eliminated. [6][7][8][9][10][11] However, treatment with HA is considered to be a temporary solution, with the effects lasting between 3 and 12 months. [6][7][8][9][10][11]