A Randomized, Double-blind, Split-face Controlled Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy of Combination Microneedling and Non-ablative Fractional Laser Versus Non-ablative Fractional Laser Alone for Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars

Acne vulgaris is a highly prevalent dermatologic disorder that affects up to 90% percent of the population at some point in their lives to varying degrees. Acne scarring is an unfortunate complication of the inflammation that results if acne is not sufficiently treated. Classically, acne scarring has been described as either atrophic, hypertrophic, keloidal, or pigmented. Atrophic is by far the most common type of acne scarring and is subdivided into boxcar, rolling, and icepick subtypes. The presence of acne scarring has been associated with a significant decrease in patient well-being and has many psychosocial implications. Although the understanding of the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of acne scarring has come a long way, there are limitations to the current treatment options and the search for a cure continues.

One of the greatest advances in the treatment of acne scarring came with the advent of non-ablative fractional lasers, which work through the theory of fractional photothermolysis. Fractional photothermolysis relies on the principle of creating thousands of microthermal injury zones in the skin while allowing the surrounding intact skin to expedite wound healing. The relative sparing of the epidermis while facilitating collagen remodeling in the dermis underlies the use of non-ablative fractional laser therapy in the treatment of atrophic scars.

The erbium-doped 1,550-nm non-ablative fractional laser has been extensively studied in the treatment of atrophic acne scars with good efficacy and safety.

The concept of using needle subcision for the treatment of depressed surgical scars was first described by Orentreich et al in 1995. The first microneedling device, a drum-shaped roller was subsequently developed by Fernandes et al in the early 2000s. Several studies have validated the use of microneedling for acne scarring with a similar mechanism of creating microchannels in the dermis that allow for collagen remodeling. Furthermore, microneedling has been demonstrated to induce a specific cytokine profile including fibroblast-like growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and transforming growth factor-beta3 which are associated with favorable wound healing.

More recently, experts have advocated for the use of electric-powered microneedling devices which allow for more controlled injury at a set depth, density, and speed for the treatment of atrophic acne scars with good results.