Comparison of efficacy of micro-needling plus platelet-rich plasma and fractional CO2 laser plus platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of post-acne scars
Keywords:
Acne Vulgaris, Micro-needling, Fractional CO2, CO2 Laser, Platelet Rich PlasmaAbstract
Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the most frequent skin conditions affecting males and females in adolescence. The development of post-acne scars is a common sequela of severe acne. Micro-needling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and fractional CO2 laser with PRP are among the combination of therapeutic modalities gaining the confidence of clinicians in the treatment of post-acne scars. Methods: Objectives: To compare the efficacy of micro-needling plus PRP and fractional carbon dioxide laser plus PRP in treating post-acne scars. Patients & methods: This Randomized control trial (RCT) study was conducted in the Dermatology Department of CMH Hospital Peshawar from 20th August 2021 to 20th February 2022. Patients with all types of acne scars except hypertrophic scars aged 15 to 45 were included. They were subjected to detailed history and clinical examination followed by relevant investigations. These patients were divided into two groups after taking a written informed consent. Group I was managed with micro-needling with PRP, while group II was treated with Fractional carbon dioxide plus PRP. Results: A total number of 66 patients, the majority male patients (48.5% VS 54.5%) in each group, were included with a mean age of 28.5 years with a standard deviation of 6.21. The efficacy in terms of good improvement was statistically greater in microneedling plus PRP groups compared to Fractional CO2 plus PRP (91% VS 57.6 %; p<0.005). The efficacy of treatment was stratified based on the type of post-acne scars (ice pick scars: p<0.001; box scars: p= 0.44; and rolling scars: p= 0.56) Conclusion: The effectiveness of micro-needling with PRP is statistically more significant than fractional CO2 with PRP in the treatment of acne scars. Microneedling with PRP is a comparatively simple approach that does not require a specialized setup and can give impressive results in the management of these scars.References
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