Background Noninvasive technologies for treating acne scars use radiofrequency (RF)-emitting microneedles for both mechanical disruption of fibrotic strands and heat-mediated collagen remodeling. Objective Efficacy and safety evaluation of electronically controlled noninsulated RF microneedling system on acne scars in patients with dark skin. Methods Nineteen patients, 24 to 51 years old, skin types III to V, with acne scars were enrolled in the study. Each patient had 3 treatment sessions at monthly intervals using a multisource RF treatment platform with a microneedle RF applicator. Efficacy was evaluated by the Goodman and Barron's Global Qualitative Acne Scarring System. Results No bleeding points occurred during treatments. Post-treatment erythema was observed immediately after the treatment and lasted up to 10 hours after the treatment. Improvement of at least 1 acne scar grade was noted in 11 of 19 patients (57.9%) after 1 month and in 9 of 9 patients (100%) after 3 months. Conclusion The tested noninsulated electronically controlled RF microneedles were found to be safe and efficient in the treatment of atrophic acne scars in skin types III to V with minimal pain or downtime.

Treatment of Acne Scars on Darker Skin Types Using a Noninsulated Smooth Motion, Electronically Controlled Radiofrequency Microneedles Treatment System.

In spite of significant advancement in hydrogel technology, low mechanical strength and lack of electrical conductivity have limited their next-level biomedical applications for skeletal muscles, cardiac and neural cells. Host-guest chemistry based hybrid nanocomposites systems have gained attention as they completely overcome these pitfalls and generate bioscaffolds with tunable electrical and mechanical characteristics. In recent years, carbon nanotube (CNT)-based hybrid hydrogels have emerged as innovative candidates with diverse applications in regenerative medicines, tissue engineering, drug delivery devices, implantable devices, biosensing, and biorobotics. This article is an attempt to recapitulate the advancement in synthesis and characterization of hybrid hydrogels and provide deep insights toward their functioning and success as biomedical devices. The improved comparative performance and biocompatibility of CNT-hydrogels hybrids systems developed for targeted biomedical applications are addressed here. Recent updates toward diverse applications and limitations of CNT hybrid hydrogels is the strength of the review. This will provide a holistic approach toward understanding of CNT-based hydrogels and their applications in nanotheranostics.

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Advances in Carbon Nanotubes-Hydrogel Hybrids in Nanomedicine for Therapeutics.

Modalities for atrophic acne scarring can be classified depending upon the needs they satisfy; that is, resurfacing, lifting/volumization, tightening, or surgical removal/movement of tissue that is required for correction. A plethora of treatment options have resulted from the need to treat various acne scar types, variability of responses noted in various skin types, and increasing popularity of minimally invasive modalities. Still, there is a lack of consensus guidelines on treatment or combination therapies for various clinical scenarios. This systematic review includes a critical evaluation of the evidence relevant to these modalities and various multimodality therapies. We performed a systematic literature search in Medline and EMBASE databases for studies on acne scar management. Also, we checked the reference lists of included studies and review articles for further studies. A total of 89 studies were included in our quality of evidence evaluation. The efficacy of lasers and radiofrequency in atrophic acne scarring is confirmed by many comparative and observational studies. Other modalities can be used as an adjunct, the choice of which depends on the type, severity, and number of atrophic scars. Minimally invasive procedures, such as fractional radiofrequency and needling, provide good outcomes with negligible risks in patients with dark or sensitive skin types. There is a lack of high-quality data. Fractional lasers and radiofrequency offer significant improvement in most types of atrophic acne scars with minimal risks and can be combined with all other treatment options. Combination therapies typically provide superior outcomes than solo treatments.

Acne Scarring Management: Systematic Review and Evaluation of the Evidence

Embodiments of a dermatological cosmetic treatment and imaging system and method can include use of transducer and a reflective surface to simultaneously produce multiple cosmetic treatment zones in tissue. The system can include a hand wand, a removable transducer module, a control module, a graphical user interface and/or a parabolic reflector. In some embodiments, the cosmetic treatment system may be used in cosmetic procedures, including brow lifts, fat reduction, sweat reduction, and treatment of the decolletage. Skin tightening, lifting and amelioration of wrinkles and stretch marks are provided.

Reflective ultrasound technology for dermatological treatments

Radiofrequency Microneedling: Overview of Technology, Advantages, Differences in Devices, Studies, and Indications.

SummaryBackground
Microneedle fractional radiofrequency has been reported to be effective for improving wrinkles, enlarged pores and various scars. Sublative fractional radiofrequency has been shown to induce both fractional ablation of epidermis and upper dermal remodelling, which had rejuvenation effects in photoaged skin. Both modalities may have the potential synergy to improve acne scars.

Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined microneedle and sublative fractional radiofrequency for acne scars in Asian skin.

Methods
Twenty subjects comprised 11 males and 9 females (mean age 23.65 ± 2.94, skin phototype III–IV) with moderate to severe acne scars. The subjects received three consecutive combined microneedle and sublative fractional radiofrequency at 4-week intervals over 12 weeks. Both blinded dermatologists and subjects assessed the clinical improvement based on the standardized photography and questionnaires, respectively. The quartile grading scale was utilized and defined as follows: grade 1, 0–25% improvement; grade 2, 26–50% improvement; grade 3, 51–75% improvement and grade 4, 76–100% improvement.

Results
All 20 subjects were assessed to have grade 2 or more clinical improvement by physicians; four (20%) had grade 4, 10 (50%) had grade 3, and six (30%) had grade 2 improvement. The subjects' grading also showed a good concordance as indicated by Kappa index of 0.695. The mean duration of post-therapy crusting was 5.2 days and post-therapy erythema lasted 2.5 days.

Conclusion
Combined microneedle and sublative fractional radiofrequency can have a positive therapeutic effect with no serious complications and may provide a new therapeutic approach on acne scars in Asians.

The efficacy and safety of combined microneedle fractional radiofrequency and sublative fractional radiofrequency for acne scars in Asian skin

Background: Intense focused ultrasound (IFUS) has been used successfully for skin tightening.Objective: To investigate the efficacy of IFUS in treating enlarged pores and to evaluate changes in skin elasticity and sebum production following IFUS.Materials and methods: Twenty-two subjects with enlarged pores were randomized to receive a single treatment with IFUS using 1.5-mm transducer on one side of the face, and 3.0-mm transducer on the other. Objective clinical assessments were made by blinded photographic evaluation. Subjective satisfaction and adverse effects were evaluated. Measurements of elasticity and sebum were performed at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks post-treatment.Results: Physicians’ evaluation showed clinical pore improvements in 86% and 91% of the IFUS-treated sites using 1.5-mm and 3.0-mm transducer, respectively. The mean improvement scores were 1.7 and 1.9 for 1.5-mm and 3.0-mm transducer, respectively, with no statistical differences. Cutometer measurement demonstrated a significant...

Jae Yang Park

Papers

The efficacy and safety of combined microneedle fractional radiofrequency and sublative fractional radiofrequency for acne scars in Asian skin

The efficacy and safety of intense focused ultrasound in the treatment of enlarged facial pores in Asian skin