Comparison of 1550 nm Erbium Laser and Micro-Needling Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Atrophic Facial Acne Scars: A Prospective, Open Labeled, Hospital-based Study

Abstract

Introduction: Facial atrophic acne scars can be psychologically devastating. Both Erbium glass 1550 nm laser (EL1550 nm) and microneedling radiofrequency (MNRF) are treatment modalities for it. This study further may be promising for the treatment of acne scars. To compare the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of EL1550 nm and MNRF, for treatment of acne scars.

Material and Methods: About 33 patients with atrophic facial acne scars received 3 treatment sessions by 2 different modalities at 4-week intervals. MNRF on the right and EL1550 nm on the left side in the same patient. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing the change in Goodman and Baron Qualitative Scarring Grading and photographs at baseline and 8 weeks after the last session.

Results: Both MNRF and EL1550 nm, showed significant improvements in scarring grades and patient satisfaction from baseline, with no statistically significant difference between the scarring grades of the two modalities (p - 0.857, 0.476, 0.466 at second, third, and fourth visits, respectively). EL1550 nm had significantly less adverse effects than MNRF at all follow-ups (p 0.003, < 0.001, 0.026).

Conclusion: Both MNRF and EL1550 nm are comparative and effective treatments for acne scars. Also, boxcar scars showed more improvement on the MNRF side and rolling scars on EL1550 nm side (percentage reduction of 37.4 and 43.1%, respectively)