Background and objectives: The selective electrothermolysis of the sebaceous glands was suggested as a novel therapeutic option for facial acne. However, there has been no randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the monopolar radiofrequency (RF) device using single microneedle with proximal insulation. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of intralesional electrothermolysis using monopolar RF device and proximally-insulated single microneedle in acne patients.
Study design/materials and methods: The prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was performed to treat moderate-to-severe facial acne. Subjects randomized to the treatment group received three treatments at 4-week intervals with an RF device, whereas the control group received micro-needling and extraction. For efficacy evaluation, reduction rate of acne lesions were evaluated by two independent physicians.
Results: Sixty-three patients completed the study and the results showed statistically significant improvement of inflammatory acne at 12 weeks. The number of inflammatory lesions was significantly reduced at 12 weeks (20.86 vs. -5.13; P = 0.03) compared with controls.
Conclusions: Selective sebaceous gland electrothermolysis can be a safe and effective method of achieving consistent improvement in acne. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keywords: acne vulgaris; intralesional electrocoagulation; single-needle radiofrequency.
© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.