title: Comparison of fractional microneedling radiofrequency and bipolar radiofrequency on acne and acne scar and investigation of mechanism: comparative randomized controlled clinical trial.
abstract: Fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR) is one of the promising methods in acne treatment. Moreover, bipolar radiofrequency (BR) generates heat thereby which induces neocollagenosis. FMR may have the potential to be a safe and effective treatment for the patients both with acne and acne scar. This study was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of FMR and BR in acne and acne scar treatment. Furthermore, mechanism of the FMR treatment was investigated through skin tissues obtained from subjects. Twenty subjects with mild-to-moderate acne and acne scars were treated in a split-face manner with FMR and BR. Two sessions of treatment was done 4 weeks apart in a total 12-week prospective single-blind, randomized clinical trial. Clinical assessment and sebum measurement were carried out for the evaluation of efficacy and safety. Skin tissues were acquired for investigation of molecular changes. FMR was more effective for acne scar especially in icepick and boxcar scar compared to BR. Both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions decreased by 80 and 65 % in the FMR-treated side at the final visit of 12 weeks, respectively. FMR treatment resulted in significant reduction of sebum excretion. Both treatments showed no severe adverse effects other than erythema. The FMR showed superior efficacy in acne and acne scar compared with BR. Increased expression of TGFβ and collagen I and decreased expression of NF-κB, IL-8 are suggested to involve in the improvement of acne scar and acne lesion by FMR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea.|Acne Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seonguk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea.|Acne Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seon Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Acne Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea. daehun@snu.ac.kr.|Acne Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea. daehun@snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Dae Hun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005145:Face / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C508606:CXCL8 protein, human; D016209:Interleukin-8; D016328:NF-kappa B; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Acne; Acne scar; Bipolar radiofrequency; Fractional microneedling radiofrequency