Early chemabrasion for acne scars after treatment with oral isotretinoin.

BACKGROUND: Acne is an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicles. Oral isotretinoin is the treatment of choice for severe acne. Exaggerated cicatrization related to oral isotretinoin was reported in the 1980s and 1990s. Currently, dermabrasion for acne scar revision is only recommended 6 to 12 months after the completion of oral isotretinoin treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the evolution of healing from manual chemabrasion of depressed scars resulting from acne conducted within 1 to 3 months after oral isotretinoin treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This was an interventional, prospective study involving 10 patients with depressed facial scars. A medium-depth chemical peel was applied to the entire face. Manual sandpaper dermabrasion was performed to areas of scarring until the appearance of bloody dew. A 6-month reepithelization follow-up was conducted. RESULTS: All of the patients presented with normal cicatrization, and neither hypertrophic scars nor keloids were observed. Depressed acne scar revision was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Our observations may contribute to the discussion of the negative influence of oral isotretinoin on wound healing. Other studies are necessary to reevaluate the current recommendation of a 6- to 12-month waiting period after oral isotretinoin treatment before performing dermabrasion or fractional ablative laser for acne scar revision.