Background: Atrophic post-acne
scarring is considered to be a therapeutic challenge.
Objectives: The aim was to compare the safety and efficacy of (A) FCL combined
with intradermal injection of plasma gel, (B) FCL combined with topical application
of plasma gel, and (C) FCL monotherapy in the treatment of atrophic post-acne
scars.
Methods: Thirty patients with facial atrophic post-acne
scars were enrolled in this
study and randomly assigned into one of three groups. All of them underwent four
treatment sessions at 4-weeks
intervals. They were assessed objectively by the quantitative
global scarring grading system (GSGS). This system was applied at baseline,
and after 1-and
6-month
follow-up
(FU). Subjective assessments were performed
through the global esthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and level of patient satisfaction.
The DLQI questionnaire was employed at the baseline and 6-month
FU.
Results: According to the quantitative GSGS scores, the reductions in group A (68.4%)
and group B (63%) scores were comparable, and both were significantly higher than
that in group C (41.2%) in all steps of evaluation. At 6-month
FU, both groups A and
B showed further significant improvement, while group C did not. Based on the GAIS
and patients' satisfaction, there were no significant differences between all groups.
The reductions in DLQI scores in groups A and B were comparable; however, both
were significantly higher than group C (P < .001).
Conclusions: The combination of plasma gel and FCL resurfacing was noticeably outstanding
in their efficacy and impact on the patients' quality of life.