Fillers for Acne Scars: How They Work, Results & Recovery

The American Academy of Dermatology reports that every year, up to 50 million Americans are affected by acne. It’s already an annoying condition to have, but even more so when it leaves you with facial scars.

Some people choose to cover up the scars with makeup, but it can be tiresome, and the makeup doesn’t allow the skin to breathe either. An alternative is fillers for acne scars.

What does this treatment do, and what can you expect from it? Plus, are you a good candidate? This is your guide to acne scar fillers.

What Are Dermal Fillers for Acne Scars?

Dermal fillers are injectables that add volume beneath the skin. In the case of acne scars, they can help lift depressed areas and create smoother surfaces. They’re best used for rolling scars or certain boxcar scars, but they may not be suitable for deeper or more complex scar types.

Other treatments focus on resurfacing, but not fillers. Instead, they work by physically elevating indented areas so that they blend more naturally with the surrounding skin.

The most commonly used dermal fillers for pitted acne scars are made from hyaluronic acid. This is a substance that’s naturally found in your body, and it helps retain moisture and plumpness.

Dermal fillers are usually performed in-office and require very little downtime. The results aren’t permanent, but they can last several months to over a year (depending on the type of filler used).

Types of Fillers Used for Acne Scars

As we’ve just mentioned, the most commonly used treatment is hyaluronic acid fillers. They give natural-looking results and are reversible too. But what other types of fillers are used for acne scars?

If you’re wonderinga bout dermal fillers for deep acne scars, then calcium hydroxylapatite fillers are a good choice. They’re thicker and stimulate collagen production, so they’re suitable for deeper scars.

Poly-L-lactic acid fillers are also used. They work gradually by encouraging the body to produce its own collagen over time.

Another option is polymethyl methacrylate microspheres with collagen. This is a long-lasting filler that uses collagen from cows, so you must not have any allergies to bovine collagen.

Lastly, you can get autologous fat transfer. Fat is harvested from your own body and injected into your acne scars.

The choice of filler will depend on the severity and type of scars you have, as well as your skin type and goals. It’s best to discuss these things with a skilled provider, as they’ll recommend the most appropriate option.

How Fillers Improve the Appearance of Acne Scars

Fillers improve the appearance of acne scars since they add volume beneath the skin’s surface. This effectively lifts the depressed areas and smooths uneven texture, which is particularly beneficial for atrophic scars.

Some fillers also stimulate collagen production. Over time, this can enhance your skin structure and lead to longer-lasting improvements.

Fillers won’t remove scars completely, but you’ll definitely see visible results immediately after treatment. They can significantly reduce the visibility of acne scars by enhancing your skin’s overall smoothness.

Skin Fillers for Acne Scars: Ideal Candidates

Not everyone with acne scars is an ideal candidate for dermal fillers. The best candidates are people who have:

• Mild to moderate depressed scars (such as rolling or shallow boxcar scars)
• Good overall skin health
• Realistic expectations

Good candidates should also be free from certain medical conditions that affect healing or increase the risk of complications.

Those with active acne or raised or deep ice pick scars may need alternative treatments. The optimal step would be to have a consultation with your provider to see whether fillers are appropriate, and if so, what your personalized treatment would look like.

What to Expect During the Procedure

What’s great about dermal fillers is that they’re a non-invasive treatment. It’s a quick outpatient procedure that can be done in under an hour (depending on the number of scars treated), making it great for those with busy schedules.

After you’ve had a consultation and skin assessment, the provider will clean the treatment area. They might apply a topical numbing cream too. Then, they’ll use a fine needle or cannula to inject the filler into the targeted areas.

You might feel slight pressure or mild discomfort, but it shouldn’t be painful.

Recovery and Aftercare Tips

Since the treatment is non-invasive, the recovery period is minimal. Initially, you might experience:

• Mild swelling
• Redness
• Bruising

These things should subside within a few days. To help reduce the effects, apply ice packs and don’t do strenuous activity for the first 24 hours. You should also avoid touching or massaging the area unless your provider says to do so.

To further support your results, stay hydrated and follow all aftercare instructions thoroughly.

In general, you’ll be able to return to normal activities immediately after the procedure. However, the final results won’t be apparent until the initial swelling has fully resolved.

Results and Maintenance

How long your dermal filler results will last depends on the type of filler used and individual factors, such as metabolism and lifestyle. Typically, hyaluronic acid fillers will last between 6-12 months, while other options (like poly-L-lactic acid fillers) will last for up to two years or more (with proper maintenance).

Regardless, over time, your body will naturally absorb the filler. This means that touch-up treatments may be needed to maintain the desired appearance.

Make sure to have regular follow-up appointments with your provider to ensure you get consistent results. They can also make adjustments as needed.

Consider Fillers for Acne Scars

If you’ve always felt self-conscious about your acne scars, and you don’t want to put on so much makeup every day, then consider fillers for acne scars. These are non-invasive treatments that are quick to apply and recover from, and you’ll get at least half a year of results that can boost your confidence.

Contact us today if you’re interested in getting fillers for acne scars. Dr. Valdez has over 18 years of experience and performs all procedures in a fully accredited private hospital.