Percutaneous collagen induction: an effective and safe treatment for post-acne scarring in different skin phototypes

• Published in: The Journal of dermatological treatment Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 147 - 152
• Main Authors: Fabbrocini, Gabriella, De Vita, Valerio, Monfrecola, Ambra, De Padova, Maria Pia, Brazzini, Benedetta, Teixeira, Fernanda, Chu, Anthony
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oslo Informa Healthcare USA on behalf of Informa UK Ltd 01.04.2014; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Acne Vulgaris - complications; Acne Vulgaris - pathology; Acne Vulgaris - therapy; Adult; afro-caribbean skin; Asian skin; Biological and medical sciences; Cicatrix - etiology; Cicatrix - pathology; Cicatrix - therapy; Collagen - metabolism; Cosmetic Techniques - adverse effects; Cosmetic Techniques - instrumentation; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Needles - adverse effects; percutaneous collagen induction; Pigmentation Disorders - etiology; post-acne scarring; Skin - metabolism; Skin - pathology; Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects; skin needling; Skin Pigmentation; Skin disease; afro-caribbean skin; Asiatic; Induction; Acne; skin needling; post-acne scarring; Percutaneous route; Asian skin; Treatment; Phototype; Skin; Triggering; percutaneous collagen induction
• ISSN: 0954-6634; 1471-1753
• DOI: 10.3109/09546634.2012.742949

Background: Atrophic scars can complicate moderate and severe acne. There are, at present, several modalities of treatment with different results. Percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) has recently been proposed as a simple and effective therapeutic option for the management of atrophic scars. Objective:The aim of our study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of percutaneous collagen induction for the treatment of acne scarring in different skin phototypes. Methods & materials: A total of 60 patients of skin types phototype I to VI were included in the study. They were divided into three groups before beginning treatment: Group A (phototypes I to II), Group B (phototypes III to V), and Group C (phototypes VI). Each patient had three treatments at monthly intervals. The aesthetic improvement was evaluated by using a Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), and analyzed statistically by computerized image analysis of the patients' photographs. The differences in the GAIS scores in the different time-points of each group were found using the Wilcoxon's test for nonparametric-dependent continuous variables. Computerized image analysis of silicone replicas was used to quantify the irregularity of the surface micro-relief with Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT); average values of gray were obtained along the x- and y-axes. The calculated indexes were the integrals of areas arising from the distribution of pixels along the axes. Results:All patients completed the study. The Wilcoxon's test for nonparametric-dependent continuous variables showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in severity grade of acne scars at T5 compared to baseline (T1). The analysis of the surface micro-relief performed on skin replicas showed a decrease in the degree of irregularity of skin texture in all three groups of patients, with an average reduction of 31% in both axes after three sessions. No short- or long-term dyschromia was observed. Conclusion: PCI offers a simple and safe modality to improve the appearance of acne scars without risk of dyspigmentation in patient of all skin types.