Acne Scar Patients May Need Ongoing Laser Tx

Background: The emergence of acne scars due to skin damage in the acne healing process and causes psychological effects. The management of acne scars can be done in several methods. Microneedling is a very simple, safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutic technique compared to other therapeutic modalities in acne scars. The resulting wound is micro-sized, and promotes the growth of growth factors and collagen production. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of using microneedling as an acne scar treatment option. A systematic review and meta-analysis were qualitatively and quantitatively conducted from RCTs, assessing the effectiveness of microneedling in reducing the severity of acne scars according to Goodman and Baron in the treatment of acne scars. Methods: Medline Pubmed, PMC, Scopus, Google Scholar, and JDC library, eligible search. Ten studies (n=514) were analyzed qualitatively with 2 studies (n=53 subjects) and quantitatively analyzed by 2 studies (n=90 subjects). Both analyzes were included in the meta-analysis. The mean age of the participants was 40.5 years. The application of microneedling intervention as monotherapy or a combination in patients with acne scarring was followed for at least 16 weeks, the results obtained were the mean reduction in the degree of acne scarring after microneedling. Result: The combination of microneedling treatment obtained a qualitative decrease in the degree of acne scars according to Goodman and Baron with a Z value (-4.299) and P=<0.001 lower than the control (PRP) with a significant difference. The quantitative decrease in the degree of acne scars according to Goodman and Baron obtained a Z value (-4.681) and P=<0.001 lower than the control (PRP) with a significant difference. Quantitative reduction in the degree of acne scars according to Goodman and Baron on single therapy between treatment and control with a value of Z (-3.536) and P=<0.001 lower than control (fractional CO2) with a significant difference. The results of the degree of acne scars in the group treated with microneedling alone or in combination were lower than the control group. The mean before and after therapy compared to the control there was a significant difference. Conclusion. The results of a systematic review, concluded that the group treated with microneedling had a decrease in the degree of acne scarring according to Goodman and Baron with P=<0.001 compared to before treatment. The decrease was shown in the difference in Z values, which was significantly greater than the control given other therapies. Microneedling therapy can be an alternative therapy option for acne scar patients who are unresponsive to previous therapy or in conditions where there are contraindications to other therapies.

Download Full-text

Whole Area versus Focal Acne Scar Treatment (FAST) of Post Acne-Scars by Fractional CO2 Laser: A Comparative Study

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcaa046.014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M A Abdallah ◽

C K T Gobrial ◽

S G H Gomah

Keyword(s):

Comparative Study ◽

Co2 Laser ◽

Acne Scar ◽

Fractional Co2 Laser ◽

Acne Scars ◽

Scar Treatment ◽

Acne Scarring ◽

Facial Area ◽

The Right ◽

Split Face

Abstract Background Acne scarring is often the primary concern of a patient with acne. Acne scarring can cause depression and is a risk factor for suicide. Patients feel their appearance interferes with their relationships and chances of future employment. Acne scars can be classified into 3 different types: atrophic, hypertrophic, or keloidal. Atrophic acne scars are the most common type. Atrophic acne scars are divided into three main types: ice pick, rolling and boxcar scars. Aim of the Work To compare the results of whole facial area versus Focal Acne Scar Treatment (FAST) by factional CO2 laser in a split face study. Patients and Methods The present study is a split face comparative study which included 20 adult patients with atrophic acne scars ranged from 18 to 44 years old of both sex. The study was approved by the Research Ethical Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University and fulfilled all the ethical aspects required in human research. All patients received full information about description of the procedure of treatment, possible side effects, photo documentation and they all provided written consent. Results Patients were asked to compare the pain, peeling and complications between the right and left sides post CO2 fractional treatment: pain was more at right side in 35% of cases and more at left side in 30% of cases and equal in the rest of cases, peeling was faster at the right side in 60% of cases, faster at the left side in 20% of cases and equal at the rest of cases, 4 of the patients had post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (1 patient at right side, 2 patients at left side and 1 patient at both sides), no other complications were recorded as secondary infection, scaring keloid and prolonged erythema. Conclusion We compared the results of whole facial area treatment in the right side of the face versus Focal Acne Scar Treatment (FAST) in the left side by factional CO2 laser. We discovered that there is a statistically highly significant relationship between the improvement of acne scars and treatment with fractional CO2 laser by the either techniques. Both techniques are preferable in treating acne scars in equal degree.

Download Full-text