Split-face Comparative Study of Efficacy of Platelet-rich Plasma Combined with Microneedling versus Microneedling alone in Treatment of Post-acne Scars.

CONTEXT

Skin conditions contribute substantial burden toward global morbidity and mortality. Acne vulgaris, with its rising prevalence, has become a cause of concern among researchers as well as dermatologists due to scarring.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of microneedling alone versus microneedling combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in post-acne scars using a split-face method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients with atrophic post-acne facial scars were offered four sittings of treatment monthly once. As a standard protocol, the right side of the face was subjected to microneedling with PRP (Group A) and the left side of the face with microneedling alone (Group B). Objective evaluation of improvement was performed by the physician recording the acne scar assessment score at baseline and thereafter at every visit using Goodman and Baron scale. Alongside patients also graded the improvement in acne scars at the end of the study.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

The collected information was entered in MS Excel (Bellevue, WA, USA) and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The significance of the outcomes of the study was assessed by calculating the value and the value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 25 years. Thirteen (43%) patients in Group A had an excellent response as compared to 6 (20%) patients in Group B according to physician assessment. Patient's satisfaction was more in Group A as compared to Group B as 11 (36%) patients had more than 75% improvement in Group A as compared to 1 (3%) patient in Group B.

CONCLUSION

The study showed a decrease in scar severity grade in all the patients enrolled for treatment. However, the combined use of microneedling and PRP was found to be more effective than a single method used for treatment of acne scars.