Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of fractional microneedle radio frequency (FMR) for treating erythematous acne scars in Asian patients living in the tropical zone. Introduction: Erythematous acne scars pose a common and challenging issue for dermatologists in Asian populations. While the 595-nm Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) has demonstrated efficacy in treating red lesions, its high cost and risk of hypopigmentation in darker Asian skin can hinder treatment. Fractional microneedle radiofrequency (FMR) has emerged as a promising option due to its ability to modulate inflammatory and vascular components in erythematous acne scars. However, there is currently limited data on the efficacy and safety of FMR for erythematous acne scars in Asian populations living in tropical zone. Materials / method: This study enrolled 30 Asian patients living in the tropical zone with erythematous acne scars. All patients underwent four sessions of FMR treatment at four-week intervals. Scar severity was evaluated using the Global Acne Scarring Scale (GASS) before and three months after the last treatment session. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS). Results: The mean GASS score decreased significantly from the average score of 4.2 ± 0.8 before treatment to 2.8 ± 0.9 at three months after the last treatment session (p < 0.001). The mean PSAS score also improved significantly from an average of 7.8 ± 1.1 before treatment to 4.3 ± 1.4 at three months after the last treatment session. No significant adverse events were reported. Conclusion: FMR offers a safe and effective alternative to the 595-nm pulsed dye laser for treating erythematous acne scars in Asian patients residing in tropical regions. This study demonstrates that FMR can significantly improve scar severity and patient satisfaction. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are warranted to confirm these findings.