Comparative study between topical application of triamcinolone acetonide after fractional carbon dioxide laser versus microneedling in the treatment of resistant alopecia areata

Dermatologic TherapyVolume 35, Issue 12 e15913 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Comparative study between topical application of triamcinolone acetonide after fractional carbon dioxide laser versus microneedling in the treatment of resistant alopecia areata Mai Mohamed Omar, Corresponding Author Mai Mohamed Omar [email protected] Correspondence Mai Mohamed Omar, Dermatology, Venereology, and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorZakaria Mahran Obaid, Zakaria Mahran Obaid Dermatology, Venereology, and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University, Damietta, EgyptSearch for more papers by this authorOsama Magdy Elshahat Sayedahmed, Osama Magdy Elshahat Sayedahmed Dermatology, Venereology, and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University, Damietta, EgyptSearch for more papers by this author Mai Mohamed Omar, Corresponding Author Mai Mohamed Omar [email protected] Correspondence Mai Mohamed Omar, Dermatology, Venereology, and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorZakaria Mahran Obaid, Zakaria Mahran Obaid Dermatology, Venereology, and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University, Damietta, EgyptSearch for more papers by this authorOsama Magdy Elshahat Sayedahmed, Osama Magdy Elshahat Sayedahmed Dermatology, Venereology, and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University, Damietta, EgyptSearch for more papers by this author First published: 09 October 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.15913Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease that affects the psychological well-being of the affected individuals. Laser-assisted drug delivery and microneedling (MN) are promising methods for the treatment of different dermatological diseases. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of topical application of triamcinolone acetonide after fractional carbon dioxide laser versus MN in the treatment of resistant AA from a clinical and dermoscopic perspective. Thirty patients were randomly divided into two groups of 15 patients each: the Laser group received fractional CO2 laser treatment followed by topical application of triamcinolone acetonide, and the MN group received dermapen treatment followed by topical application of triamcinolone acetonide. In our study, we found no statistically significant difference between the studied groups before and after treatment, except for black dot, which is higher in the MN group than in the laser group (46.7% vs. 13.3%). There is a statistically significant difference between the studied groups in terms of treatment response at the first follow-up, with 13.3% of the laser group seeing terminal hair regrowth compared to 0 in the MN group after 12 weeks. Regarding the degree of improvement, there was no statistically significant difference between the laser group and the MN group. The use of fractional CO2 laser and MN for transepidermal drug delivery (TED) allowed for more uniform drug distribution. There was no significant difference between the two treatment methods in terms of their high effectiveness in the treatment of resistant AA. CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported. Open Research DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Volume35, Issue12December 2022e15913 RelatedInformation