ABSTRACT
Background: Atrophic acne scars are common and undesirable outcome of acne vulgaris related to
both its severity and delay in treatment. Such scars can be classified according to the depth and shape
of the collagen loss: ice pick, boxcar, or rolling. Many options are available for treatment of acne scars
such as: laser surgery, radiofrequency intervention, chemical peels, chemical reconstruction of skin
scars (cross technique), dermabrasion, needling, subcision, punch techniques, fat transplantation, and
other tissue augmenting agents.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare between GA peel
monotherapy and microneedling with dermapen monotherapy in treatment of acne scars. Moreover,
combined treatment of GA peel and microneedling with dermapen is compared to each of the above
monotherapies in treatment of acne scars.Methods: Thirty patients of both sexes (10 men and 20
women) with age ranged from 19-45 years old with different types of atrophic acne scars were enrolled
in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: Group I: Included ten patients (4 males
and 6 females) aged 27 - 45 years. They had microneedling with dermapen for treatment of the scars.
Group II: Included ten patients (4 males and 6 females) aged 19- 42 years. They had glycolic acid 35%
peel for treatment of the scars. Group III: Included ten patients (2 males and 8 females) aged 19-39
years. They were treated with skin microneedling with dermapen combined with glycolic acid 35%
peel.Results: Results revealed that there was statistical significant decrease between acne scar grade in
dermapen group before and after treatment with degree of improvement (80%). Also, in glycolic acid
group before and after treatment with degree of improvement (70%). Statistical significant decrease
between acne scar grade in combination group before and after treatment with degree of improvement
(100%). Statistical significant increase in frequency of improvement in rolling compared to boxcar and
icepick in all groups and also in boxcar compared to icepick.Conclusion: Dermapen and glycolic acid
peel are effective and safe techniques in acne scars especially (superficial scars). Combination of
dermapen and glycolic acid peel is more effective than monotherapy by either dermapen or glycolic
acid peel and also helps in improvement of deep acne scars.