The Efficacy of Bipolar RF Treatment with Microneedles for Acne

Materials and Methods

Improvement in moderate to severe acne vulgaris and mild to severe acne scarring was evaluated in 316 patients .(195 males and 121 females; ages ranging from 18-34 years; Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V) treated with two to four sessions of bipolar non-insulated microneedle treatment RF at one-month intervals.

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and clinical photos of 316 patients treated with bipolar non-insulated micro-needle RF treatment.(in terms of number: 195 males and 121 females; mean age of 28.2; ages ranging from 18- 34 years; Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V). However this study was to modify moderate to severe acne vulgaris and/or mild to severe acne scarring. Patients were excluded from this study with the possibility of having:

-Systemic retinoid therapy.

 -1,450-nm diode laser treatment.

 -595-nm pulsed-dye laser treatment.

-Photodynamic therapy with IPL.

– Non-ablative erbium: glass fractional laser treatment.

– Fractional CO2 laser treatment within the last six months.

Patients were also excluded if they had been treated with systemic and topical antibiotics, intra lesion corticosteroid injections, incision and drainage, or surgical excision within the previous month.Thus, patients with a high probability of becoming pregnant or a propensity for keloids or immunosuppression were excluded.

Introduction

Recently, technically innovative treatments for acne vulgaris and acne scars are increasing. Applying to meet patient demands for greater convenience and efficacy, these innovations are taking places of oral and topical medications. Moreover, Reports include that of various light, laser, and radiofrequency (RF) devices for the treatment of acne vulgaris lesions and/or acne scars are safe and effective. (Including IPL for photodynamic therapy, fractional ablative carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, non-ablative 1,450-nm diode lasers, and fractional RF using electrodes.)

Water, Collagen, Melanin, and dermal microvasculature absorb the RF energy. Therefore, producing a bulk heating effect on the dermis induces cellular mediator and growth factor secretion, which results in wound healing.

In the present study, the emission of bipolar RF energy via non-insulated microneedles immediately generated fractionated thermal edema on the treated skin. Thus, as with other RF devices, this heating effect most likely induced the inhibition of sebaceous gland activity and the promotion of wound healing processes, including neocollagenesis and the activation of growth factors.

Effects of Microneedle devices on acne lesions

These devices achieve their desired therapeutic effects on inflammatory acne lesions via a number of different mechanisms. Absorption of pulsed-dye laser is by hemoglobin and modulating inflammatory processes to reduce vascularity, as well as killing Propionibacterium acnes. Non-ablative 1,450-nm diode lasers has the use of induce thermal damage to sebaceous glands in an attempt to reduce sebum production. sublative RF treatment strives to reduce sebaceous gland activity and promote dermal architecture remodeling via thermal stimulation as well.

Penetrating micro-needle electrodes are essential equipments for fractional RF Devices. However these equipments shows effectiveness in treating moderate and severe acne scars. Bipolar RF was shown as a minimally invasive treatment, suggestions lead us to an insulated electrodes to preserve the epidermis.

However, a study of non-insulated microneedle fractional RF treatment had the Data: the delivery of RF energy via non-insulated microneedles is safe and effective for the treatment of scars and photoaging.

Accordingly, this study focused on evaluate the effectiveness and safety of bipolar non-insulated micro-needle RF treatment. Also, Studies show in 316 patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris and/or acne scar lesions from three different countries had complete safe and effective treatment via bipolar non-insulated micro-needle.(India, Saudi Arabia, and Korea)

Marked improvement of acne scarring in a 26-year-old female patient from India after two sessions of bipolar non-insulated microneedle RF treatment. Photo are for (A) baseline and (B) two months after the final treatment.

Results

At two months after the final bipolar RF treatment, clinical assessment revealed:

-(6.6%)grade 1 improvement in 21  of the 316 patients.

– (24.7%)grade 2 improvement in 78.

– (42.1%)grade 3 improvement in 133 .

-and (26.6%) grade 4 improvement in 84 .

Acne vulgaris or folliculitis, which spontaneously resolved within three weeks, in 9 patients. Although side effects were not considerable.

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