title: Efficacy of a needling device for the treatment of acne scars: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Neocollagenesis can be achieved using a dermal rolling needle device, thereby reducing the appearance of acne scars.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of a needling device for treatment of acne scars.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a single-center, rater-blinded, balanced (1:1), split-face, placebo-controlled, parallel-group randomized clinical trial at an urban academic institution. The study took place from November 30, 2009, through July 27, 2010. Twenty healthy adults (age range, 20-65 years) with acne scars on both sides of the face were enrolled. Fifteen individuals completed the study, and no enrolled participants were withdrawn for adverse effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  For each participant, one side of the face was randomized for needling. Three needling treatments were performed at 2-week intervals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two blinded dermatologists separately rated participants' acne scars based on standard digital photographs obtained at baseline and at the 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits on the quantitative global scarring grading system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean scar scores were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with baseline at 6 months (mean difference, 3.4; 95% CI, 0.2-6.5; P = .03) and nominally but not significantly lower compared with baseline at 3 months (mean difference, 2.4; 95% CI, -0.01 to 4.8; P = .052). In the control group, mean scar scores did not vary significantly from baseline at 3 months (mean difference, 1.0; 95% CI, -1.4 to 3.4; P = .96) and at 6 months (mean difference, 0.4; 95% CI, -2.3 to 3.5; P > .99). The needling procedure was not particularly painful, with a mean pain rating of 1.08 of 10. Participants perceived a 41% mean improvement in overall scar appearance on the treated side. No adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After 3 needling treatments, there was improvement in the appearance of acne scars over time compared with the control group, with minimal pain reported.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00974870.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois2Department of Otolaryngology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois3Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, No.
authors.forename: Murad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pongprutthipan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Wareeporn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Disphanurat
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kakar
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nodzenski
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia5Center for Research and Grants, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami.
authors.forename: Emir
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Veledar
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Dennis P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005145:Face; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome