Facial Acne and Fine Lines

Abstract

In Brief Background: A novel device for skin rejuvenation has been developed and tested. The device converts a stream of nitrogen into a plasma of ionized gas, which ablates surface tissue in a controlled manner. Methods: Eleven patients were followed up for 6 months. The results were assessed objectively using skin molds to measure skin irregularity, as well subjectively using patient- and doctor-assessed parameters. Results: Plasma skin regeneration was shown to reduce fine line wrinkles by an average of 24% at 6 months (P = 0.005, Mann-Whitney rank sum test) and to improve acne scarring by 23% at 6 months (P = 0.001, Mann-Whitney rank sum test). Conclusions: The main benefit of this system was that the patients had minimal erythema lasting only 1–6 days and no pigmentary changes. This is therefore a device with proven efficacy and limited morbidity. A technique involving conversion of a stream of nitrogen into a plasma of ionized gas was used as a surface-ablation procedure. Six months following treatment, fine line wrinkles were seen to be improved by 24% and acne scars by 23%.