Dermabrasion for acne scars during treatment with oral isotretinoin.
BACKGROUND
Oral isotretinoin is the criterion standard treatment for severe inflammatory acne associated with scar development. Atypical or exaggerated cicatrization related to oral isotretinoin was reported throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Dermabrasion for atrophic acne scar revision is not recommended 6 to 12 months from the end of oral isotretinoin treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate wound healing after localized dermabrasion in patients receiving oral isotretinoin.


METHODS
Interventional, prospective study involving seven patients taking oral isotretinoin to treat acne and with atrophic acne scars on the face. Manual dermabrasion was performed on all patients in an area of approximately 1 cm(2), and a 6-month reepithelization follow-up by clinical evaluation was conducted.


RESULTS
All patients presented normal cicatrization evolution; hypertrophic scarring or keloid as a result of localized abrasion was not observed, and atrophic acne scar revision result was excellent.


CONCLUSIONS
The current recommendation to wait 6 to 12 months after treatment with oral isotretinoin for acne scar revision using dermabrasion should be re-evaluated. Abrasion of a small test area may be a useful predictor of wound healing, enabling earlier acne scar treatment using this procedure.
Bagatin
Ediléia
E
Department of Dermatology, Hospital São Paulo, Brazil. edileia_bagatin@yahoo.com.br
dos Santos Guadanhim
Lilia Ramos
LR
Yarak
Samira
S
Kamamoto
Cristhine Souza Leão
CS
de Almeida
Fernando Augusto
FA
D000153:Acne Keloid / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003869:Dermabrasion / Q000379:methods*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin