title: Safety and efficacy of hybrid energy and trifractional technologies in the treatment of acne scars: An open-label clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study determines the safety and efficacy of a novel device--Surgen that utilizes hybrid energy (HE) technology and trifractional (TF) technology in the treatment of acne scars in Filipino patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open-label clinical trial on eight subjects who underwent 4 weekly HE treatments followed by 2 TF treatments spaced 3 weeks apart. Efficacy was evaluated by dermatologists' (investigator and two blinded dermatologists) and patients' assessment and grading of post-treatment digital photographs. Subjects also reported level of satisfaction and comfort. Adverse events were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dermatologists' grading of acne scars improvement--58.3% of subjects showed slight to moderate improvement, 8.3% showed marked improvement, and 33.3% was graded as unchanged after HE treatments. After 2 additional TF treatments grades improved further, with 37.5% showing mild to moderate improvement, 37.5% showing marked improvement, and 25% graded as unchanged. Dermatologist's scoring using the global acne scoring system resulted in improvement of 75% of patients after 4 HE sessions and 100% after TF treatments. Subjects' grading showed a similar trend: 75% of subjects reported that they were satisfied and 25% slightly satisfied after the complete protocol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A treatment protocol combining HE and TF technology is safe, effective, and comfortable in the treatment of acne scars.
authors.affiliation: a Skin and Cancer Foundation, Inc ., Manila , Philippines.
authors.forename: Jonathan Nevin
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: a Skin and Cancer Foundation, Inc ., Manila , Philippines.
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abat
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016037:Single-Blind Method
keywords: Acne scar; hybrid energy; non-invasive; radiofrequency; trifractional