Efficacy and Safety of Combined Nanofat Injection With Either Platelet Rich Fibrin or Microneedling Versus Nanofat Injection Alone in the Treatment of Facial Atrophic Post Acne Scars

Inflammatory acne lesions may result in permanent scars . Atrophic, hypertrophic, and keloidal scars are the categories into which acne scars can be generically divided . Atrophic scarring represents about 75% of acne scars and is subdivided into icepick, rolling, and boxcar scars .

Currently, there is no standard treatment for atrophic acne scars. Various treatment approaches have been used to improve the appearance of acne scars, with varying degrees of success ]. Traditional treatment methods include lasers, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), excisions, skin abrasion, chemical peeling, tissue filling, microneedling, thread lifting, and photodynamic therapy, while emerging therapies such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their derivatives are also available .

Autologous fat grafting is an alternative modality in managing post acne scarring . In 2013, Tonnard was the first person who described the technique of obtaining nano fat. Its capacity for regeneration is attributable to the adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells that promote blood vessel formation and the secretion of growth factors that impede fibrosis and inflammation, speed up wound healing, and improve skin texture.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), the second-generation platelet concentrate, was developed for the purpose of removing anticoagulants and for better release of growth factors. A rapid and short centrifugation procedure is needed for separation of blood layers before clotting. A fibrin matrix is formed in the platelet-rich layer entrapping platelets and leukocytes in it. This matrix makes the release of growth factors slow and prolonged comparing with PRP .

Microneedling (MN) therapy has been used as a treatment for various dermatological conditions, including scar tissue . This technique involves repetitive skin puncture using sterile microneedles to disrupt dermal collagen that connects the scar tissue. The needle will penetrate the stratum corneum and generate small holes with minimal damage to the epidermis. This process will provoke the regeneration of growth factors to stimulate collagen and elastin production . To the best of our knowledge, platelet rich fibrin and microneedling have never been tried with nanofat injection in the treatment of atrophic post acne scars and our study is the first to do so.