Prospective and randomized comparative study of calcium hydroxylapatite vs calcium hydroxylapatite plus HIFU in treatment of moderate-to-severe acne scars.

Abstract

Acne scars are the most common sequelae of the severe inflammatory process of acne, and its managing is a challenge. Objective of this study was to assess safety and effectiveness of calcium hydroxylapatite monotherapy and its association with high-intensity microfocused ultrasound for treating moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scars. Women with moderate-to-severe atrophic scars of the face were enrolled on the study. Assessments were made by digital macrophotographs, Vectra H2, and Antera 3D. From October to December 2019, twenty women which fitted the inclusion criteria signed a consent form and received 3.0mL of calcium hydroxylapatite and after 4weeks, 400 lines of HIFU. No major side effects were reported during the study, and all patients completed the follow-up after 6months. At 1month, patients treated with calcium hydroxylapatite (group 1) improved wrinkles and skin texture compared to placebo (group 2). At 3 and 6months, all patients improved acne scars. Our study showed that that both calcium hydroxylapatite and HIFU in monotherapy were safe and effective treatments for atrophic scar acne. Calcium hydroxylapatite was clinically effective when compared with placebo, though the combination of calcium hydroxylapatite and HIFU did not enhance the clinical efficacy compared to monotherapy.