Carboxytherapy Versus Skin Microneedling in Treatment of Atrophic Postacne Scars: A Comparative Clinical, Histopathological, and Histometrical Study

BACKGROUND Acne scarring has been a challenge to treat. Microneedling gained popularity in treatment of such scars. Meanwhile, carboxytherapy (CXT) is considered a novel treatment modality for acne scars. OBJECTIVE To evaluate efficacy of CXT versus microneedling in treatment of acne scars. METHODS AND MATERIALS Thirty-two patients with atrophic acne scars received 6 sessions of microneedling and CXT on right and left sides of face, respectively. Clinical evaluation with histopathological and computerized morphometric analysis was performed at 2 months after treatment. RESULTS After either microneedling or CXT, there was significant decrease of total acne scars and its 3 types separately (icepicks, boxcar, and rolling) (p ≤ .001). Comparing both sides of face, there was no significant difference regarding grading response and reduction percentage of total scars and its types (p > .05). Histopathologically, there was an improvement of character and organization of collagen and elastic fibers in addition to significant increase in epidermal thickness on both sides of face, with no significant difference between them (p > .05). CONCLUSION Both CXT and microneedling are equally effective, tolerable, safe, and noninvasive treatment modalities of atrophic acne scars. Similar histopathological changes were observed after both modalities, helping in better understanding their action. Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Noha H. Moftah, MD, Dermatology, STDs and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Al-Minya, Egypt, or e-mail: nohamoftah2013@yahoo.com The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters. © 2018 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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