Patients rate blunt cannula subcision best for acne scars

(HealthDay)—Blunt cannula subcision (BCS) is more effective than Nokor needle subcision (NNS) for acne scar treatment, according to a study published online March 9 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Mehdi Gheisari, M.D., from the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, and colleagues compared NNS and BCS for treatment of acne scars in 34 patients (aged 18 to 65 years). The patients had acne scars on both malar sides and were treated with NNS on one side and BCS on the other. Patients and two dermatologists rated their satisfaction with the procedures.

The researchers found ecchymosis, nodule formation post-NNS, and edema after BCS as complications. At the three-month follow-up, patients were satisfied with BCS but not with NNS. One physician was satisfied with the outcomes of both BCS and NNS procedures, while the other physician was satisfied only with NNS at month 3. Overall, patients and physicians were significantly more satisfied with BCS than NNS.

"Considering the complications and satisfaction rates, BCS was more efficient than NNS for acne scar treatment," the authors write. "Then, we suggest BCS as a good replacement for NNS."