Evaluation of the efficacy of microneedle fractional radiofrequency in Turkish patients with atrophic facial acne scars

Abstract

Summary Background Scarring is an undesirable and severe complication of acne resulting in loss of self‐esteem in young people. Although microneedle fractional radiofrequency (MFR) system has emerged as a good option to treat acne scars in recent years, it was examined in a few studies which were commonly from Asian countries. Aims We sought to evaluate the efficacy of MFR in Turkish patients with facial acne scars. Methods Nine patients with atrophic facial acne scars treated with MFR device were included in the study. The number of treatment sessions was varied from one to five (median three) with 4‐week intervals. Demographic and basal clinical features were recorded. Efficacy of the device was evaluated by the physicians’ global assessment and patients’ self‐assessment scales 4 weeks after the last treatment session. Results Of nine patients, two were male and seven were female (mean age, 31.33 years). Two patients had mild, four had moderate, and three had severe facial acne scars. Mean acne scar age was 13.22 ± 8.79 years. According to the predominant scar subtype, three patients had V‐shaped, three had U‐shaped, and three had M‐shaped atrophic acne scars. A clinical improvement of >25% has been reported in seven patients (77.7%) and eight patients (88.9%) by the physicians and patients, respectively. U‐shaped atrophic acne scars responded better to the treatment than the other types, as statistically nonsignificant. There were no severe side effects. Conclusions Microneedle fractional radiofrequency system showed a quite good efficacy and safety in the treatment of atrophic facial acne scars (Department of Dermato‐Cosmetology, Uludag University Medical School).

Use of combined fractional carbon dioxide laser and fractional microneedle radiofrequency for the treatment of acne scars: A retrospective analysis of 1‐month treatment outcome on scar severity and patient satisfaction

“…A high rate of patient satisfaction was reported in almost all patients undergoing FmRF treatment . In a recent study in nine patients with atrophic acne scars, use of FmRF was reported to be associated with a favorable efficacy and safety with clinical improvement of >25% in seven patients (77.7%) and no severe side effects . In another study among 19 patients with acne scars, a series of 2‐6 sessions of noninsulated FmRF treatment was reported to offer a highly effective minimally invasive treatment for acne scars and improvement of skin texture and pore size with a short downtime and high patient satisfaction rates…”

“…8,14 In a recent study in nine patients with atrophic acne scars, use of FmRF was reported to be associated with a favorable efficacy and safety with clinical improvement of >25% in seven patients (77.7%) and no severe side effects. 15 In another study among 19 patients with acne scars, a series of 2-6 sessions of noninsulated FmRF treatment was reported to offer a highly effective minimally invasive treatment for acne scars and improvement of skin texture and pore size with a short downtime and high patient satisfaction rates. 16 Accordingly, our findings revealed 44% decrease in average ECCA scores from baseline with the FCL + FmRF combination treatment and majority (90.3%) of patients reported that they were satisfied with treatment.…”

The early and late efficacy of single‐pass fractional carbondioxide laser, fractional radiofrequency, and their combination in acne scars: A prospective, split‐face, single‐blinded, controlled clinical study

“…It was established in a retrospective study including nine patients that at least 25% clinical improvement was achieved in about 80‐90% of patients after an average of three FRF treatments 8 9 .…”

“…of patients after an average of three FRF treatments. 8 Another study revealed improvement in scars and erythema starting from the second treatment session with double-pass FRF once a month. 9 A meta-analysis of six studies, each of them including 20-33 cases and controls, comparing FRF with fractional laser (FCO 2 in four and 1550 nm Er:Glass fractional laser in two studies) in the treatment of atrophic acne scars in Asian population demonstrated that both laser and FRF produced similar results in terms of clinical efficacy.…”

Benefits of fractional radiofrequency treatment in patients with atrophic acne scars ‐ Literature review

“…29 According to another study conducted on 9 Turkish patients with facial acne atrofic scars, which were treated with fractional microneedle RF, a clinical improvement of more than 25% has been reported in almost all the patients, boxcar scars achieving the best results. 30 Ramesh et al used fractional bipolar RF in a study aimed to analyze which specific type of atrophic acne scar responds better to this treatment. They found that ice-pick scars had best results to treatment, followed by rolling and boxcar.…”