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Abstract Background: Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory skin disorder leading to an impairment of quality of life and is therefore not only a cosmetic issue. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial - of particular importance is the colonization with the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes. A wide range of different treatment options exists including topical and systemic treatments depending on severity. High Frequency (HF) therapy, historically developed in the 19th century, claims antimicrobial effects on acne skin, but solid data on its efficacy and mechanism of action is lacking. Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of HF therapy on skin flora and P. acnes in vitro using a commercial device as well as to review studies on the mechanism of action. Methods: The plasma source was investigated regarding electrical settings, heat, and ozone development. Bacterial skin flora, fungal isolates, and P. acnes were exposed to HF in vitro and compared to unexposed controls by evaluating the number of colonies on agar plates. To further analyze bacterial species from normal skin flora, 16S-sequencing was performed. Statistical analyses were carried out using row analysis and unpaired t-test. Results: HF treatment led to a significant reduction of almost every bacterial and fungal species investigated in this study. Moreover, the number of colonies forming units was significantly decreased in P. acnes after HF treatment compared to controls in vitro. Study limitations: The experiments were performed in vitro only. To assess clinical effects further in vivo experiments are necessary. Conclusions: The results collected in this study, although in vitro, provide a mechanistic basis for HF as a complementary treatment option for patients with acne. It might also have a beneficial effect on patients with superficial infectious skin of the skin.

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic forced universities to transfer academic curricula into the digital realm and calls for the introduction of new teaching methods to adequately compensate for the limited in-patient training. Especially in the field of dermatology, the use of 3D models presents an interesting opportunity to maintain the teaching of diagnostically essential sensory and haptic characteristics of primary lesions. Objectives: We developed a prototype silicone model and presented it to the medical service of the Department of Dermatology of the Ludwig-Maximilians University for evaluation. Methods: Silicone models demonstrating primary skin lesions were produced by using negative 3D-printed molds and different types of silicone. An online survey obtained evaluations from a group of dermatologists regarding the quality of previously supplied silicone 3D models and their potential use in medical education. Data from 58 dermatologists were collected and analyzed. Results: The majority of the participants rated the models overall as positive and innovative, providing constructive feedback for additional modifications, and recommended further implementation into the regular curriculum as an additional tool after the end of the pandemic. Conclusions: Our study underlined the possible advantages of using 3D models as a supplement in educational training even after the end of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.