High-Intensity, High-Frequency, Parallel Ultrasound Beams for Facial Acne Scars.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound energy can improve the clinical appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, eyebrow laxity, submental laxity, and cellulite. Ultrasound waves of high intensity can cause thermal injury in the dermis to induce neocollagenesis.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the utility of a novel ultrasound device that uses high-intensity, high-frequency, parallel ultrasound beams to improve the clinical appearance of facial acne scars.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A prospective, multicenter, clinical study investigated this novel ultrasound device using up to 3 treatments.

RESULTS

Sixty-three subjects completed at least 2 treatments. The mean age was 38 years, and 64.2% were women. Fitzpatrick skin types I to VI were represented. Assessments compared baseline with 3-month follow-up. Two of 3 blinded reviewers agreed in identifying pretreatment and post-treatment photographs for 96.8% of subjects ( p < .0001), who were considered responders. For the overall mean acne scar severity score, there was a significant reduction of 1.05 units, from 2.31 to 1.26 ( p < .001). This represents a reduction of 45.5%. No device-related adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSION

A novel ultrasound device that uses high-intensity, high-frequency, parallel ultrasound beams can safely and effectively improve facial acne scars.