Evaluation of microneedling fractional radiofrequency device for treatment of acne scars

Abstract

Background:Various treatment modalities including non-invasive methods such as chemical peels, topical retinoids, microdermabrasion, minimally invasive techniques such as microneedling, fractional lasers, microneedling radiofrequency devices and invasive procedures such as acne scar surgeries and ablative lasers are used for acne scars, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. This study is a retrospective assessment of efficacy and safety of microneedling fractional radiofrequency in the treatment of acne scars.Methods:Thirty one patients of skin types III-V with moderate and severe facial acne scarring received four sequential fractional radiofrequency treatments over a period of 6 months with an interval of 6 weeks between each session. Goodman & Baron's acne scar grading system was used for assessment by a side by side comparison of preoperative and post- operative photographs taken at their first visit and at the end of 3 months after the last session.Results:Estimation of improvement with Goodman and Baron's Global Acne Scarring System showed that by qualitative assessment of 31 patients with grade 3 and grade 4 acne scars, 80.64% showed improvement by 2 grades and 19.35% showed improvement by 1 grade. Quantitative assessment showed that 58% of the patients had moderate, 29% had minimal, 9% had good and 3% showed very good improvement. Adverse effects were limited to transient pain, erythema, edema and hyperpigmentation.Conclusion:Microneedling fractional radiofrequency is efficacious for the treatment of moderate and severe acne scars.

Radiofrequency microneedling for acne, acne scars, and more

“…Acne scars improved with this device 18 . Another study of 31 patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III‐V showed significant improvement in acne scars after four treatments with an RFM device 19 …”

“…The patient was treated with topical metronidazole and ND:Yag laser and the rosacea improved 34 . Improved safety in darker skin tones is discussed elsewhere in this chapter, although there is an increased risk of postinflammatory dyspigmentation after RFM procedures in this patient population 19 …”

Advances in fractional technology for skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, drug delivery, and treating scars and skin defects

“…In treatment with RFM, transient postprocedure track marks have been noted (6%). 100 Reported rates of PIH are generally low; PIH occurred in only 2 out of 72 patients (3%) (skin types III-V) treated with FRF for acne scarring and resolved within 4 to 12 weeks. 93,95,107 When used for skin rejuvenation and tightening, PIH was rare across all skin types.…”

“…[102][103][104][105] In 3 studies involving 91 patients (skin types III-V) investigating RFM in atrophic acne, various acne scar scoring systems consistently reported a moderate improvement in scar appearance after treatment. 100,106,107 RFM offers superior results for ice-pick and boxcar acne scars than rolling scars 108 and appears to offer a more dramatic improvement in acne scarring than bipolar RF alone.…”

“…99 The depth of the needles can be adjusted from a minimum of 0.5 mm to a maximum of 3.5 mm. 100 The trauma to the dermis initiates wound healing and growth factor release, leading to collagen production and deposition in the upper dermis. 101 Numerous studies support the utility of microneedling without the augmentation of an energy-based device in the treatment of acne and other scar types.…”