Microneedle Radiofrequency Combined with Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media for Acne Scars and Skin Rejuvenation

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceus unit [1]. It is the most frequent skin lesion which affects >80% of world's population during some periods of their life and 85% of adolescents in the developed countries [2]. Sitohang S, Virgayanti P, et al. reported that the prevalence of acne vulgaris in Indonesia is not known with certainty, because surveillance for this disease is rarely carried out. CiptoMangunkusumo Hospital from 2008 to 2010 reported 6.612 acne vulgaris outpatient patients [3]. 

Scar is defined as “the fibrous tissue that replaces normal tissue destroyed by injury or disease” [4]. In acne, atrophic scars are much more common than hypertrophic scars. They most commonly involve the dermis, but can also involve the underlying fat. The phases of healing include inflammation (in the infrainfudibular region of the pilosebaceous structure), granulation tissue formation with fibroplasia and neovascularization, wound contracture and tissue remodeling [5]. Acne scars are associated with decreased self-confidence, including perception of decreases employability and embarrassement, and are negatively perceived by society [6]. 

Aging is a process perhaps best defined as decreased maximal function and reserve capacity in all body organs, resulting in an increased likelihood of disease and death. Like all other tissues, skin unavoidably ages, a processs than affect the function and appearance of the skin [7]. Skin aging is degenerative process whereby alteration from the passage of time (chronological/intrinsic aging) are superimposed with effect produced by environmental factors (e.g sun, heat, pollution, smoking) [8]. 

Microneedle Radiofrequency (MR) is widely used for acne scar without epidermal injury [9]. Insulated microneedle radiofrequency works by delivering radiofrequency energy only at the tip of the needles so can minimize epidermal disruption by only 5%, comparing with factional ablative laser around 10-70% [10]. Recent research shows the effectiveness of MR for skin tightening, wrinkle reduction and acne scaring [11].

We did a case report to 17 patients (12 acne scar patients and 5 aging skin patients) with skin type III to IV. The inclusion criteria were healthy patients from 25 to 50 years old with depressed acne scars, aging skin patients who agreed and signed the informed consent letter. The exclusion criteria were patients who have blood disorder, taking blood thiner medicine, ginko biloba, vitamin e, history of keloids, pregnancy or breast feeding, skin allergy or dermatitis on the face, autoimmune disorder and refuse informed consent letter. We used microneedle radiofrequency device (ENSEMBLE, BISON Medical, Seoul, South Korea) with insulated needles to minimized the down time and deeper penetration.

The purpose of doing this case report was to improve the conditions of atrophic scars, skin texture, wrinkles using different grading system. All participants were asked to fill out an informed consent letter and take a photo session before and after each treatment. 

Every patient received 3 treatments with 3 weeks interval between treatment.They were treated with certain parameters based on their facial condition. Topical anasthesia was applied to all participant around 20 minutes before treatment. Facial areas were treated with insulated needle using 1.75mm to 2.5mm penetration depth, power 40 W, out time 100ms. 

Before we start the treatment, we applied serum (QT cell, S.THEPHARM, Co.,Ltd, Seoul, South Korea) that contain Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media (hDF-CM) in the skin target area, then did microneedle radiofrequency treatment and apply the serum again. After treatment we applied antibiotic cream and soothing cream all over the treated area. We evaluate the degree of the acne scar improvement using Goodman and Baron’s quantitative and qualitative acne scar grading system (Table 1, 2a & 2b). 

Table 1: Goodman and Baron’s qualitative acne scar grading system [12,13]. 

Table 2: (a) Goodman and Baron’s quantitative scar grading system [12,13]. 

Table 2: (b) Assessment of improvement using Goodman and Baron’s quantitative acne scar grading system [12,13]. 

Beside that acne scar grading system, the attending physician also evaluated the degree of improvement in skin texture, wrinkles and pigmentation, according to the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS): 

0=No Improvement

1=≤25% mild improvement

2=26–50% moderate improvement

3=51–75% good improvement

4=76–100% excellent improvement

Acne scar therapy is still a challenge in various medical literature. Several therapy modalities are widely used in in the treatment of atrophic scars, such as peels (chemical peels and tca peels), dermabrasion, laser, microneedle, microneedle radiofrequency, derma filler, and surgery [14,15]. 

Aging skin occurs naturally and affects the quality of epidermis and dermis layer of the skin. In aging skin there is an increase in matrix metalloproteinase levels which causes a decrease in collagen and elastin skin [16]. 

Microneedle radiofrequency device has been widely used for the treatment of various skin disorders, such as wrinkles, atropich scars, acne vulgaris, and roscasea. It has a thermotherapy mechanism, spesifically the ability to reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands through a thermal stimulation [17]. 

Microneedle radiofrequency releases thermal energy in the dermis layer, so thereby preventing damage to the epidermis. The radiofrequency energy stimulates the formation of collagen and growth factors in the skin, resulting in dermal thickening [18]. Moreover, it has a lower downtime than ablative laser in treating acne scars [19]. Radiofrequency has a chromophore dependent properties, so it can be applied to all skin types and has less side effect of pigmentation than laser [20]. The microneedle itself also has another function as various drug delivery agent to penetrate through the skin barrier and bring the drug directly into the dermis [21].

All participants completed 3 treatment session at 3 week intervals. Most patients have various scar acne problem, such as ice pick, rolling scar, and box scar. Beside that, they also had acne vulgaris, and aging skin condition like wrinkles, dull skin and deep nasolabial fold. Microneedle radiofrequency can improve the appearance of scar acne, acne vulgaris, skit texture in aging skin.

The physician combine microneedle radiofrequency treatment with human fibroblast conditioned media which can help to release growth factors to stimulate angiogenesis, modulate inflammation, collagen formation and promote wound healing process.

The assessment of acne scar improvement using Goodman and Baron’s quantitative scale are listed in table 3. Participant with grade 4 acne scar, 7 participants showed improvement by 2 grade (70%), 2 participants showed improvement by 1 grade (20%), and 1 participants showed by 3 grade (10%). In participants who had grade 3 acne scars, 2 participants (100%) improved by 2 grade. Based on the assessment the improvement of acne scar from Goodman and Baron’s quantitative grading system, we found 58,3% of participants had a moderate improvement, 25% had a good improvement and 16,6% had a very good improvement. The assessment of acne scar improvement using Goodman and Baron’s qualitative scale, from 12 participants, 10 participants had grade 4 and 2 participants had grade 2.

We assessed the improvement in skin texture, and wrinkles using Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and obtained 51-75% improvement in 60% participants and 26 to 50% improvement in 40% participants.

This therapy has varied pain relief and can be tolerated by all participants. All participants reported mild erythema for 2 to 3 days pasca treatment (Figures 1-6).

Table 3: Physician assessment response based on Goodman and Baron’s qualitative acne scar grading.

  Figure 1: (a) Grade 4 acne scars, (b) Significant improvement in acne scars after 3x treatment (grade 4 to grade 2). 

Figure 2: (a) Grade 4 acne scars, (b) Significant improvement in acne scars after 3 treatment (grade 4 to grad1).

 Figure 3: (a) Grade 4 acne scars, (b) Significant improvement in acne vulgaris and acne scars after 3x treatment (grade 4 to grade 3). 

Figure 4: (a) Grade 3 acne scars, (b) Significant improvement in acne scars after 3x treatment (grade 3 to grade. 

Figure 5: (a) Before treatment, (b) After treatment, the treatment has shown a significant improvement in nasolabial lines, skin texture, and acne scars. 

Figure 6. (a) Before treatment, (b) After treatment the treatment has shown a significant improvement in lines, wrinkles, nasolabial lines, skin texture and has a skin lightening effect and deep lines.

In addition to microneedle radiofrequency function in delivering drugs right into the dermis layer, release the growth factors and stimulate collagen formation, MR also has a higher level of presicion than laser, because it can be adjusted according to the depth of skin layer we need. 

Combination between microneedle radiofrequency with human fibroblast conditioned media into scar acne and aging skin will enhance the satisfactory result.  MR can be considered as an effective therapeutic option in the case of acne scar, and skin rejuvenation with minimal downtime and satisfactory result.