Triple needle technique - Association of 3 needle techniques for treating severe acne scars.
Objectives: The objective of this presentation is to demonstrate the treatment of severe acne scars and patients outcome, using three different techniques, each of them using a different needle device in the same procedure.
Introduction: Scars are the most serious consequence of acne, being related to low self-esteem, depression, low academic performance, anxiety, as well as a risk factor for suicide in these patients. The polymorphism of the lesions and tissue changes make treating acne scars a challenge. The technique of percutaneous collagen induction remodels scars through the perforation of the skin and consequent triggering of the wound healing cascade and preservation of the epidermis. Radiofrequency with multineedles can enhance results in depressed scars. Dermal tunneling breaks fibrotic beams and stimulate collagen.
Materials / method: 30 patients with severe acne scars were treated with the triple needle technique. Lorazepam 1mg was given orally 1h prior to the procedure. 7,5g topical 4% lidocaine was rubbed com the face and repeated after 30 minutes. After cleaning of the skin with aqueous chlorhexidine, the entire face was anesthetized with a 2% lidocaine solution with vasoconstrictor and saline solution in a 1:1 ratio, respecting the maximum dose per patient weight. Radiofrequency with multineedles was applied to distrofic scars, followed by dermall tunelling and deep injury medical needling with a 2,5mm roller.
Results: 22 women and 8 man were treated with 1 to three sessions treatment of the triple needle technique. 81% considered their results were great, 11% medium and 7% poor. 86% of the patients reported improvement of their self esteem. 4% had transient hyperchromia and none of the reported persistent hypercromia. One patient, 7%, had severe contact dermatitis.
Conclusion: Triple needle technique seems to be an efficient and secure method for treating severe acne scars with high rates of satisfaction and low rates of adverse events with patients reporting improvement of their self esteem. The disadvantages of the technique are the need for infiltrative anesthesia and being a long and laborious treatment.
