Targeting of sebaceous glands to treat acne by micro-insulated needles with radio frequency in a rabbit ear model.
Many studies have investigated the application of micro-insulated needles with radio frequency (RF) to treat acne in humans; however, the use of a micro-insulated needle RF applicator has not yet been studied in an animal model. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a micro-insulated needle RF applicator in a rabbit ear acne (REA) model.



In this study, we investigated the effect of selectively destroying the sebaceous glands using a micro-insulated needle RF applicator on the formation of comedones induced by application of 50% oleic acid and intradermal injection of P. acnes in the orifices of the external auditory canals of rabbits. The effects of the micro-insulated needle RF applicator treatment were evaluated using regular digital photography in addition to 3D Primos imaging evaluation, Skin Visio Meter microscopic photography, and histologic analyses.



Use of the micro-insulated needle RF applicator resulted in successful selective destruction of the sebaceous glands and attenuated TNF-alpha release in an REA model. The mechanisms by which micro-insulated needles with RF using 1 MHz exerts its effects may involve inhibition of comedone formation, triggering of the wound healing process, and destruction of the sebaceous glands and papules.



The use of micro-insulated needles with RF applicators provides a safe and effective method for improving the appearance of symptoms in an REA model. The current in vivo study confirms that the micro-insulated needle RF applicator is selectively destroying the sebaceous glands. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:395-401, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Tae-Rin
TR
Kwon
Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Eun Ja
EJ
Choi
Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chang Taek
CT
Oh
Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Dong-Ho
DH
Bak
Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Song-I
SI
Im
Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Eun Jung
EJ
Ko
Medical IT Convergence Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
Hyuck Ki
HK
Hong
Medical IT Convergence Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
Yeon Shik
YS
Choi
Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Joon
J
Seok
Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sun Young
SY
Choi
Gowoonsesang Dermatology Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
Gun Young
GY
Ahn
Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Beom Joon
BJ
Kim
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000628:therapy*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004423:Ear; D005260:Female; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009339:Needles; D000091402:Prohibitins; D011817:Rabbits; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000528:radiation effects*
REA model; acne; radiofrequency