Evaluation of efficacy and safety of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and microneedling (radiofrequency) in the treatment of atrophic acne scars

Background: Acne Vulgaris is a self-limiting, chronic skin lesion, which may heal with squally of different types of scars (ice pitted, boxcar, rolling, and keloid). Different options used to deal with scars such as laser dermabrasion, surgical excision, and chemical peeling. This study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of using a combination of radiofrequency (RF) microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in managing the atrophic acne scars among a sample of Iraqi patients. Method: An interventional study conducted from January 2017 to December 2018 at a private dermatological clinic in Kalar City, Al-Sulaymmania Province, Iraq. Patients with the atrophic scar and willing to participate are adequately assessed and treated by RF and PRP. A different number of sessions of therapy used, and patients followed for three months after the last meeting. Results: Thirty-one patients were involved in the study. The majority of them (27, 87.0%) were females with a mean age of 26.41±8 years. Twenty patients (64.5%) had opened mouth (boxcar and rolling) scars, and eleven (35.5%) had ice pitted scars. Ten patients (32.25%) showed an excellent response to RF and PRP therapy with two grades improvement, fifteen patients (48.38%) showed good response with one-grade improvement and six patients (19.6%) showed poor response without improvement in grades, (all of them of ice pitted scars). There was a direct relationship between the number of sessions and the response to therapy. Three patients developed folliculitis at sits of puncturing with the isolation of staphylococcus auras bacteria, which cleared by topical and systemic antibiotics. Conclusions: Although ice pitted scars showed an inadequate response to therapy, however, the reaction of the boxcar and rolling scars to RF and PRP was excellent, indicating that combination procedure is a safe, efficient and satisfactory option for the treatment of atrophic acne scars