Endo-radiofrequency subcision in the treatment of acne scars: a pilot investigative study

• Published in: Lasers in medical science Vol. 38; no. 1; p. 154
• Main Authors: Lotfi, Elaheh, Kaveh, Roxana, Nezhad, Nazanin Zeinali, Iranmanesh, Behzad, Hosseini, Seyed Ali, Ahramiyanpour, Najmeh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 04.07.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ablation; Acne; Acne Vulgaris - complications; Acne Vulgaris - surgery; Adolescent; Chemexfoliation - adverse effects; Cicatrix - etiology; Cicatrix - surgery; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Lasers; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Optical Devices; Optics; Original Article; Patients; Photonics; Quantum Optics; Radio frequency; Scars; Side effects; Treatment Outcome; Acne vulgaris; Acne scar; Endo-radiofrequency subcision
• ISSN: 1435-604X; 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-023-03819-w

Acne vulgaris is a common condition, mostly involving teenagers. Post-acne scarring can cause many psychosocial problems. Treatments include topical agents, chemical peels, ablative lasers, fractional lasers, and more invasive approaches like subcision and surgery. We aimed to build on data regarding the efficacy and safety of endo-radiofrequency subcision in treating acne scars. This trial involved 30 patients (26 females and 4 males) suffering from acne scars. Patients were treated with endo-radiofrequency subcision. Outcomes were measured by Goodman and Baron scores (GBA), Patient’s Global Assessment (PGA), and Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA). All 30 patients completed the trial. The mean baseline quantitative Goodman and Baron score was 13.2 ± 4.31, which improved to 5.37 ± 2.83 by the end of the study ( P  < 0.001). A significant improvement was also noted in the Goodman and Baron qualitative assessment of acne scars ( P  < 0.001). According to the PGA, the improvement rate was 25–50% in most patients (60%), while according to the IGA, the improvement rate was 25–49% in most patients (50%). Eleven patients (36.7%) were satisfied with the treatment process, while the other 19 patients (63.3%) were very satisfied. Side effects were minimal and transient. A single session of endo-radiofrequency subcision is a fairly safe and effective treatment, with a high satisfaction rate among treated patients.