Acne scars can be a real problem for many people, affecting their self-esteem and overall quality of life. As a result, various treatments have emerged to address these scars, with dermal fillers being one of the most popular non-surgical solutions. This blog will explain how dermal fillers work for acne scars, the types available, their effectiveness, and side effects.
Acne Scars
Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects a large portion of the population, especially adolescents. It’s not physically dangerous, but it can lead to long-term consequences like scarring. 95% of people with acne get some form of scarring, which can manifest as atrophic scars – indentations in the skin caused by tissue loss during acne outbreaks. Atrophic scars are classified into ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars.
How Dermal Fillers Work
Dermal fillers are injectable substances that restore volume and smooth out wrinkles or depressions in the skin. They fill in the indentations left by acne scars and stimulate collagen production in the skin. This dual action not only improves existing scars but also heals over time.
Types of Dermal Fillers
There are several types of dermal fillers used for scar treatment:
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers: These are temporary fillers that provide immediate results by adding volume and hydration to the skin. HA is naturally found in the body and helps retain moisture. Common products include Restylane® and Juvederm®.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA): Known as Radiesse®, this semi-permanent filler stimulates collagen production while providing immediate volume. It’s thicker than HA fillers and is often used for deeper wrinkles.
Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA): Marketed as Sculptra®, this filler works gradually by stimulating collagen production over time rather than providing immediate volume. Results can last up to 2 years.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA): This permanent filler contains microspheres that remain under the skin indefinitely, promoting long-term collagen production. Bellafill® is a well-known PMMA product. 1. Autologous Fat Transfer: This involves harvesting fat from another part of the patient’s body and injecting it into the areas affected by scarring. While it gives natural results, it requires liposuction and has a longer recovery time.
Dermal Filler Effectiveness
Many studies have shown that dermal fillers can improve atrophic acne scars. For example, research shows that hyaluronic acid fillers produce noticeable results with minimal side effects. PLLA studies also show positive results in enhancing scar appearance through collagen stimulation over time.
But note that while dermal fillers can reduce the appearance of some types of acne scars – rolling and boxcar scars – they may not be as effective on deeper ice pick scars due to their depth and structure.
Possible Side Effects
There is risk involved with any cosmetic treatment, and dermal fillers are no exception. Common side effects of dermal fillers are swelling, bruising, redness at the site of injections, and tenderness. More severe side effects are unlikely to occur, but can occur when injections inadvertently enter blood vessels or nerves. That is why patients must go to certified practitioners who practice dermatology procedures.
Conclusion
In summary, dermal fillers are a suitable solution for the improvement of the appearance of acne scars, most particularly atrophic types like rolling and boxcar scars. By restoring volume and inducing collagen, injectable fillers offer short-term and long-term outcomes. However, tolerance may vary depending on the type and depth of the scar; hence, it is important to seek the advice of a professional dermatologist for the most suitable approach tailored to each patient's case.
