THE EFFICACY OF NON-THERMAL PLASMA DEVICE FOR TREATMENT BACK ACNE

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is common skin problems nowadays, the area commonly presented include face, chest and back. Back acne was one of difficult to treat due to location. Plasma medicine was useful in bacterial eradication and sterilization. It’s been supported by many research which result in efficacy and safety. Twenty-three volunteers enrolled to this study. Twelve volunteers treated with plasma device weekly 4 times and follow up twice every 2 weeks. Eleven volunteers set as control. The efficacy and safety evaluated by acne count, sebum level, satisfaction score, overall satisfaction and patient’s side effects. The plasma device was effective in reducing acne both inflammatory (p = 0.005) and non-inflammatory acne (p = 0.01) as well as grade of acne (p = 0.001). There is no correlation between sex and age of subjects toward inflammatory acne count, non-inflammatory acne count, grade of acne and sebum quantity but there is correlation between inflammatory acne, non-inflammatory acne toward grade of acne.  Overall satisfaction was moderate-good. Side effects in treatment group had not found and all patient well tolerated to treatment. In conclusion, the non-thermal plasma device reduced inflammatory acne, non-inflammatory acne and grading of acne.