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. 2022 Nov;28(6):865-871.
doi: 10.1111/srt.13228. Epub 2022 Nov 1.

Radiofrequency-assisted subcision combined with polycaprolactone-based dermal fillers in the management of atrophic facial acne scars: A pilot investigative study

Elaheh Lotfi  1 , Mohammad Shafie'ei  2 , Najmeh Ahramiyanpour  3   4
Affiliations

Radiofrequency-assisted subcision combined with polycaprolactone-based dermal fillers in the management of atrophic facial acne scars: A pilot investigative study

Elaheh Lotfi et al. Skin Res Technol. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: The scar's appearance and psychological burden are the most esthetically challenging issues in acne vulgaris. This study investigated the effectiveness and safety profile of combined radiofrequency-assisted subcision, which, even though effective on both Icepeak and Rolling subtypes, is only mildly effective on boxcar lesions, and polycaprolactone-based dermal filler with collagen stimulation potency in managing atrophic postacne scars.

Methods: Our quasi-experimental single-arm study, after the inclusion of 10 cases over the age of 18 with moderate to severe mixed atrophic facial acne scarring, was carried out in two 3-month separate sessions, during and after the intended intervention of which the experienced lesion improvements and also adverse events were documented. Moreover, all cases were followed for 3 months after the last session, evaluating the differences in the mentioned outcomes.

Results: We found the combined intervention to be highly effective in improving the intended outcomes, with the total number of acne lesions (p-value < 0.001), along with the total number of Ice peak (p-value = 0.002), Rolling (p-value < 0.001), and boxcar (p-value = 0.023) lesions demonstrating statistically significant changes.

Conclusion: Radiofrequency-assisted subcision combined with polycaprolactone-based dermal fillers can be an effective intervention in managing postacne scars. However, we recommend that randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes be carried out for a more precise conclusion.

Keywords: atrophic acne scars; collagen stimulation; polycaprolactone-based fillers; radiofrequency-assisted subcision.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that no conflict of or competing interests existed or occurred in the conduction of this manuscript.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The scar appearance in a 34‐year‐old male before and after the procedure
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
The procedure's effectiveness in decreasing the number of Rolling scars in a 37‐year‐old female
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
The procedure's effectiveness in decreasing the number of Ice peak scars in a 28‐year‐old female
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
The procedure's effectiveness in decreasing the number of boxcar scars in a 29‐year‐old female
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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