Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Many methods have been performed to achieve a satisfying outcome in acne scars but some of them were high cost and also were associated with low results and some complications. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety therapy of glycolic acid (GA) peel, microneedling with dermapen and a combination of both procedures in treatment of atrophic acne scars. PATENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 30 patients suffering from acne scars. They were randomly assigned into three groups, each group included 10 patients; group I was treated with GA peel, group II treated was with microneedling. Group III received a combination of both procedures. All patients received six sessions with 2-week intervals. The clinical assessment was based on the qualitative global scar grading system before and after treatment, quartile grading scale, and degree of patient satisfaction. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in acne scars grade after treatment among the studied groups (P = 0.04) but it was higher in group III. There was improvement in boxcar, ice pick, and rolling scars in all groups, respectively (P = 0.03, P = 0.04, P = 0.04). Patients' satisfaction was higher in group III (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The combination of dermapen and GA peel is more effective than monotherapy.

A study on Demodex folliculorum mite density and immune response in patients with facial dermatoses.

In the present study, 40 patients with facial skin lesions and Demodex folliculorum (DF) mite density > 5/cm(2) by SSSB were evaluated for their immune response through counting T-cell subsets (CD3-CD4-CD8) and NK cells (CD16) numbers and IgG, M, D concentrations in peripheral blood in relation to DF mite density. They were 26 females and 14 males with overall mean age was 48.57+/-15.33 years. A control group of 40 healthy individuals without any skin diseases was enrolled. The mean DF mite density (MD) was 11.82+/-3.72/cm(2) in patients compared to 1.77+/-2.39 /cm(2) and a prevalence of 47.5% in controls. The difference was statistically significant. MD significantly correlated with age both in study and controls, but not with sex. A significant decrease in the absolute numbers of lymphocytes, T-cell subsets and NK cells was found in the study group in comparison with controls. Mean IgM level was significantly higher in patients. No significant correlation was observed between MD and the immune response. So, DF mites modulate the host cellular immune response to their advantage, as T-cell subsets and NK cells seem to be the target of immuno-suppression, favouring dermatosis development.