title: Treatment of Acne Scars on Darker Skin Types Using a Noninsulated Smooth Motion, Electronically Controlled Radiofrequency Microneedles Treatment System.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Noninvasive technologies for treating acne scars use radiofrequency (RF)-emitting microneedles for both mechanical disruption of fibrotic strands and heat-mediated collagen remodeling.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Efficacy and safety evaluation of electronically controlled noninsulated RF microneedling system on acne scars in patients with dark skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients, 24 to 51 years old, skin types III to V, with acne scars were enrolled in the study. Each patient had 3 treatment sessions at monthly intervals using a multisource RF treatment platform with a microneedle RF applicator. Efficacy was evaluated by the Goodman and Barron's Global Qualitative Acne Scarring System.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No bleeding points occurred during treatments. Post-treatment erythema was observed immediately after the treatment and lasted up to 10 hours after the treatment. Improvement of at least 1 acne scar grade was noted in 11 of 19 patients (57.9%) after 1 month and in 9 of 9 patients (100%) after 3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tested noninsulated electronically controlled RF microneedles were found to be safe and efficient in the treatment of atrophic acne scars in skin types III to V with minimal pain or downtime.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur, India and Pudukadan's Dermalaser Centre, Thrissur, India.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pudukadan
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen