Microneedling vs Dermabrasion for Early Facial Scar Resurfacing

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims to determine whether microneedling or dermabrasion in the early post-operative period is superior in improving the appearance of surgical scars on the face.

Detailed Description
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Microneedling and dermabrasion are two common modalities that may be performed in-office to treat surgical scars. Microneedling is a form of collagen induction therapy, often used in conjunction with platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronic acid. Dermabrasion is a technique that improves the skin structure, quality, and appearance of scars through collagen remodeling and reepithelization. To determine which modality is most effective, we will perform a prospective study, randomizing a volunteer sample of adult patients with new surgical vertical forehead scars to receive either dermabrasion or microneedling in the early postoperative period.

Official Title
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Microneedling vs Dermabrasion for Early Facial Scar Resurfacing

Conditions
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Scar

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Microneedling
* Procedure: Dermabrasion


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Volunteer adult patients will be identified by visiting the Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Patients will be 18 years old+ and have a vertical surgical scar in the superior 1/3 of the face (trichion to glabella). Patients will enroll in the clinic research registry and indicate an interest in being involved in the study. Exclusion Criteria: Patients who rate Types 4-6 on the Fitzpatrick scale will be excluded due to risk of poor outcome from dermabrasion. There are no other planned exclusion criteria. Patients will not be excluded on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, or age, provided that they meet the described inclusion criteria.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Patients will be invited to participate in the study through the clinic setting - aim to have around 30 patient volunteers. Of the 30 patients, 15 will be randomized to receive microneedling, and 15 will receive dermabrasion.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: microneedling<br>microneedling is a form of collagen induction therapy, often used in conjunction with platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronic acid - Patients will receive two treatments, once at 6-8 weeks following facial surgery, and the second at 12-16 weeks following facial surgery | Procedure: Microneedling<br>* a form of collagen induction therapy<br>|
| Active Comparator: dermabrasion<br>dermabrasion is a technique that improves the skin structure, quality, and appearance of scars through collagen remodeling and reepithelization - Patients will receive the standard of care treatment 6-10 weeks following facial surgery | Procedure: Dermabrasion<br>* a technique that improves the skin structure, quality, and appearance of scars through collagen remodeling and reepithelization<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Vancouver Scar Scale Scores | Four characteristics of the scar are assessed. These are: vascularity, height, pliability, and pigmentation. Each characteristic is given a score, which are added together to give an overall score between 0 and 13 - lower scores denoting normal skin | Month 7 | 
| Change in Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale Scores | Items and total scale scores for the patient and observer: Each item on both scales has a score of 1 to 10. The lowest score is 1 and corresponds to the normal skin situation. The total score of both scales can be calculated simply by adding the scores of each of the six items. The total score will range from 6 to 60 - lower scores denoting normal skin | Month 7 | 
| Change in Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale Scores | 5-point scale wherein 2 = much improved (marked improvement in appearance), 1 = improved (improvement in appearance but a touch-up or re-treatment is indicated - lower scores denoting normal skin | Month 7 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Dermabrasion, Microneedling, Surgical scars