Premium
Treatment of atrophic acne scarring with fractional micro‐plasma radio‐frequency in Chinese patients: A prospective study
Author(s) -
Lan Ting,
Xiao Yan,
Tang Li,
Hamblin Michael R.,
Yin Rui
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.22825
Subject(s) - medicine , acne , scars , dermatology , acne scars , erythema , adverse effect , quality of life (healthcare) , prospective cohort study , patient satisfaction , surgery , nursing
Background Acne scarring is a common disfiguring sequela of acne vulgaris which can lead to serious psychosocial problems and have a negative effect on patients’ quality of life. Although a variety of approaches can be used to treat atrophic acne scars, disadvantages such as long‐healing time, dyspigmentation, infections, and prolonged erythema make these treatments unsatisfactory especially for Asians. Fractional micro‐plasma radio‐frequency is a novel technology that produces minor ablation to the epidermis to promote rapid re‐epithelialization, while the radio‐frequency evoked thermal effect can stimulate regeneration and remodeling of dermal fibroblasts. Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of micro‐plasma radio‐frequency for the treatment of facial acne scars in Chinese patients. Materials and Methods A total of 95 patients with facial atrophic acne scars were treated by micro‐plasma radio‐frequency using three sessions at 2‐month intervals. Patients were seen 1 week after each treatment and 1, 3, 6 months after the final treatment. Improvement was assessed by three independent dermatologists who compared photographs taken before the first treatment and 6 months after the last treatment. Adverse effects were evaluated by a dermatologist who did not participated in the study. Patients also provided self‐evaluation of satisfaction levels at the last follow‐up visit. Results A total of 86 patients with atrophic acne scars completed the entire study. There was a significant improvement in acne scars after three treatments. The mean score of ECCA grading scale (Echelle d'Evaluation Clinique des Cicatrices d'Acné) was reduced from 107.21 to 42.27 ( P < 0.05). A total of 15 of 86 patients showed more than 75% improvement, 57 patients showed 50–75% improvement, and 14 patients showed 25–50%. After three treatments, all subjects showed improvements in spots, large pores, texture, UV damage, red areas, and porphyrin fluorescence. Pain, erythema, edema, effusion, and scab formation were observed in all patients. The average pain score on a visual analog scale was 6.14 ± 1.12 and all patients tolerated the treatments. The average duration of erythema was 6.26 ± 0.92 days. Hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, infections, and worsening of scarring were not seen. All patients were either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the treatment outcomes. Conclusions Fractional micro‐plasma radio‐frequency is an effective and safe treatment for acne scars, and might be a good choice for patients with darker skin. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:844–850, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.