A stereoscopic optical system for objective quantification of the change in cumulative acne scar depth following various treatment interventions

Background: Current approaches for assessment of acne scars are subjective, including counting scar subtypes, subjective self-assessment, or scoring global acne scar severity. Aims: We aimed to validate accuracy and present initial data of a new, simple, non-contact, high-resolution 3D stereoscopic optical imaging system in the setting of acne scarring. Patients/methods: Ten patients treated for acne scars in the dermo-esthetic outpatient clinics in our institution from July to December 2019 were recruited from medical files and completed by telephone interview. Each patient was assessed by the 3D imaging system, the Qualitative Scarring Grading Score (QSGS), and the patient's questionnaire for Self-assessment of Clinical Acne-Related Scars (SCARS) before and 4 weeks after a single intervention. Results: Scar depth measured by the imaging system correlated significantly with the actual depth of printed surface depressions and the 3D optical imaging assessments. The changes in SCARS and 3D optical imaging assessments correlated significantly, but there were no correlations between changes in QSGS and 3D optical assessment measures, or between the QSGS and SCARS results. Conclusion: The new stereoscopic optical system is a reliable and practical objective method for assessing the cumulative depth of atrophic acne scars and monitoring treatment response. It is more sensitive, accurate, and informative than subjective scales.