Non-insulated Fractional Microneedle Radiofrequency Treatment with Smooth Motor Insertion for Reduction of Depressed Acne Scars, Pore Size, and Skin Texture Improvement: A Preliminary Study.

Background: Severe scarring caused by acne is associated with substantial physical and psychological distress, both in adolescents and adults. There are two basic types of scars: atrophic (depressed) and raised (hypertrophic). Microneedle fractional radiofrequency (MFRF) is a new technology that uses extra sharp microneedles to heat the depths of the dermis, which promotes dermal collagen remodeling. In this study, we used electronically controlled non-insulated microneedle radiofrequency treatment to treat atrophic acne scars, improve skin texture, and reduce pore size. Methods: Nineteen patients were enrolled in the study. The goal of the treatment was to improve acne scars and skin texture and to reduce pore size. Each patient received 2 to 6 treatments with one month intervals between treatments. Treated areas were visually assessed for skin response, including edema, erythema, and burns. We used the standard pain scale of 0 to 10 to assess pain during and after treatment. Results: All the patients completed a series of 2 to 6 treatments. No adverse events as burns, scarring, or hyper/hypopigmentation were reported. Subjective pain assessment was the average point of 1.5, as reported by the patients. The subjective and objective questionnaire revealed high satisfaction from the treatment. Conclusions: The presented study results show that the MFRF treatment provides a highly effective minimally invasive treatment for acne scars, skin texture improvement, and pore size reduction, with a short downtime and high subjective satisfaction rates.