Fillers for the improvement in acne scars.

Acne is a common inflammatory disease. Scarring is an unwanted end point of acne. Both atrophic and hypertrophic scar types occur. Soft-tissue augmentation aims to improve atrophic scars. In this review, we will focus on the use of dermal fillers for acne scar improvement. Therefore, various filler types are characterized, and available data on their use in acne scar improvement are analyzed.

Introduction

Acne is a common disease. Its prevalence is ~80%.1 Almost 10% of the World population are affected.2 Onset of acne in most patients is during puberty, but acne among adults, especially females, is not rare.3,4 Scarring is an unwanted end point of the diseases and not restricted to severe disease subsets.1,5

For clinical trials and scoring of severity of acne scars, several algorithms have been developed. The most popular is the “Quantitative Global Scarring Grading System for Post-acne Scarring”6 of which a Brazilian Portuguese version exists.7 Skin picking syndrome is a differential diagnosis of acne scars with an overlap in acne excoriee.8 The Quantitative Global Scarring Grading System for Postacne Scarrin” differentiates four grades: I with macular flat marks of different color; II with mild atrophic or hypertrophic scars; III with moderate atrophic or hypertrophic scars; and IV with severe atrophic or hypertrophic scars.6

The mechanism of scarring in acne is complex. The basic inflammatory process of acne becomes more pronounced in patients with acne scarring.9 This leads to an aberrant remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in pilosebaceous units of skin. Propionibacterium acnes and other gram-positive bacteria are capable to increase the formation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in sebocytes and skin fibroblasts, which may contribute to a distorted degradation of ECM.10 Furthermore, peptidoglycans of gram-positive bacteria enhance the production of prostaglandin E2.11

Color scarring in skin is more common and often associated with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. This can be due to genetics, pigmentation, and differences in skin care.12

There are different clinical types of acne scars, ie, atrophic and hypertrophic scars. Atrophic scars can be further differentiated into deep and narrow icepick scars, larger rolling scars, and depressed boxcar scars (Figure 1). Hypertrophic scars and acne keloids represent the hypertrophic variants.13

Figure 1

Acne scars.

Notes: (A) Rolling acne scars with an undulating appearance; (B) acne boxcar scars with a round or oval shape resembling varicella scars; and (C) icepick scars are sharply demarcated, narrow, and deep.

Acne scar management needs an effective control of inflammation, which could prevent scarring. The treatment of scars includes different approaches, namely, camouflage, peelings, microneedling, subcision, and laser therapy for atrophic scars. Hypertrophic scars may be treated by cryotherapy, corticosteroids injections, laser, and surgery.13,14 All procedures may improve scars but cannot establish a scar-free skin.15

In this review, we will focus on the correction of ECM aberrations by the use of dermal fillers with the focus on atropic acne scars.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers can be classified as temporary, semipermanent, and permanent (Table 1). Although the first two classes are biodegradable with a broad range of half-lives, permanent fillers are not biodegradable.16 Fillers induce a characteristic ECM response that allows a histopathological identification of various filler types.17

Table 1

Dermal filler classification

Filler class	Average clinical efficacy	Examples
Temporary	3–18 months	Hyaluronic acid and collagen
Semipermanent	Up to 24 months	Poly-l-lactic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite
Permanent	Many years if not lifelong	Silicon, polyacrylamide, polymethacrylate, and hydroxyethylmethacrylate

Tolerability and safety of dermal filler implantation are dependent upon filler qualities, skills and knowledge of the medical doctor, and patient characteristics.18–20

The injection of dermal fillers to improve acne scars is based on soft-tissue augmentation. Hyaluronic acid fillers (HAFs) stimulate collagen production. A stronger stimulation of collagen production is seen with semipermanent or biostimulatory fillers, ie, poly-l-lactic acid (PLL) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), and permanent fillers.17

Basic knowledge of filler qualities, injection techniques, and anatomy is indispensable. Fillers should not be used in children and youngsters, in pregnant or nursing women, in patients with immune disorders, allergies against filler materials, and infections. Filler implantation warrants hygienic standards and should not be used in case of dental root procedures and skin barrier injuries to minimize the potential risk of infection. Knowledge of possible unwanted adverse effects, their prevention, and management are prerequisites.21

Several injection techniques are used, such as serial punctures, linear threading, fanning and cross-hatching, deep bolus, or superficial microdroplet injections.21 Cooling of the skin before and after injections reduces pain and bruising.22

Dermal fillers for acne scars – clinical evidence

Silicone microdroplet injections

Medical-grade silicon has been used for a long time as a type of permanent filler in soft-tissue augmentation (Table 2). Proponents of silicon argue that the product is stable, has some antimicrobial activity, and is relatively cheap. Repeated microdroplet silicone injections are recommended with long-lasting effects.23,24

Table 2

Clinical trials with dermal fillers for atrophic acne scars

Filler material	Number of patients	Remarks	Outcome	Reference
Silicone	5	Retrospective case series; repeated microdroplet injections	Stable for 10–20 years	22
Silicone with HA (Silikone®)	95 (incl acne scars)	Retrospective analysis; microdroplet injections	Stable for at least 2 years (follow-up)	23
PMMA (Artecoll®)	72 (incl acne scars)	Retrospective analysis; some patients with repeated injections	85% of patients satisfied four patients with nodule formation	30
PMMA (Artefill®)	14	Retrospective analysis combined with subcision	96% of scare moderate improved after 8 months	32
PMMA (Artefill® vs saline)	147 (with ≥4 atrophic rolling scars)	Double-blind, randomized, multicenter, and controlled trial; two treatments per scar	Scar improvement in 64% (PMMA) vs 33% (saline) after 6 months	33
PMMA (Bellafill®)	133	Double-blind, randomized, multicenter, and controlled trial	Improvement in >50% of cheek scars after 6 months 64% (PMMA) vs 33% (saline), stable after 12 months (follow-up without treatment)	34
Polyacrylamide (Aquamide®)	228 (incl acne scars)	Retrospective study with 12-month follow-up	After 12 months, 93% satisfaction
PLL (Sculptra®)	20 (acne and postvaricella scars)	Prospective open trial with up to seven treatments	Significant reduction in scar size and severity	38
PLL (Newfill®)	22 (rolling acne scars)	Open phase II trial, three to four treatments	Improvement in 68.2% of patients	40
CaHA (Radiesse®)	10	Open trial	Improvement in boxscars not icepick scars	42
CaHA (Radiesse®)	42	Open trial after subcision 1 week before	After 12 months, 48% of patients had a 50% improvement and 22% had a 75% improvement	43
Collagen (Zyplast®)	188 (incl acne scars)	Retrospective analysis	83% patient satisfaction, 3% allergic reactions to the filler material	44
Collagen (Zyderm I®)	18	Open trial with ≥3 treatments	Improvement in “soft” scars but failure with fibrotic and icepick scars	45
Collagen (Zyderm®)	20	Split-face study with collagen vs subcision	At 3 months and 6 months, patients rated subcision higher, no difference found by blinded evaluators	46
HAF (Esthelis®)	12	Open trial	Patients score 42% good and 58% excellent after 1 month	51
HAF (Restylane®)	12	Open trial, HAF after fractional laser	Improvement in 100% of patients	52

Abbreviations: HA, hyaluronic acid; incl, including; PMMA, polymethylmethacrylate; PLL, poly-l-lactic acid; CaHA, calcium hydroxylapatite; HAF, hyaluronic acid filler.

A 1,000 centistoke-injectable silicone emulsified with hyaluronic acid (HA; Silikone® Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA.) was used in 95 patients for tissue augmentation with only minor temporary adverse effects.24 The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery listed acne scars as a possible indication for liquid silicone injections.22

The 1,000 centistoke silicone oil is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved “for use as a prolonged retinal tamponade in selected cases of complicated retinal detachments where other interventions are not appropriate for patients.”25 None of the silicone products are approved as soft-tissue fillers. Cosmetic filler injections have been associated with severe adverse effects, such as infection, calcifications, pneumonitis, pulmonary embolism, renal failure, and death.26,27 Although many of these severe complications were noted by unlicensed practitioners or lay people, the use of silicone is off-label and is not recommended by us.28 Migration of silicone is another problem, leading to unwanted adverse effects.29

Polymethylmethacrylate microspheres

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is an inert, synthetic permanent filler material that induces fibrous capsule formation in animals.30 For cosmetic use, 20% PMMA microspheres are suspended in an aqueous solution of bovine collagen and lidocaine (Artecoll® and Artefill® Canderm Pharma, Saint Lorent, QC, Canada). Artecoll® and Artefill® have the same composition, although the microspheres are somewhat smaller in Artefill®. In the hands of experienced users, patient satisfaction with PMMA-tissue augmentation is high and the effect is long lasting.31,32 Most patients experience a moderate improvement.33,34 However, adverse effects can also be long lasting due and very nasty to the permanent nature of this filler material.31

Nevertheless, in 2014, Bellafill® (previously named Artefill®) has got FDA approval “for moderate-to-severe, atrophic, distensible facial acne scars on the cheek in patients over 21 years of age.”25 This makes Bellafill® the first FDA-approved medical device for correction of acne scars. The scientific background is based on the clinical trial SUN-11-001, a prospective, randomized, multicenter, and evaluator-blind study for correction facial acne scars on the cheek. Patients were randomized 2:1 for Bellafill® (n=87) or sterile saline injection.46 Adult patients with Fitzpatrick skin types-I–VI were included. Data were analyzed at 6 months and after 12-month follow-up. Patients in the control group received on average higher injection volumes in primary treatment session and touch-up. Treatment-related adverse effects were noted in 14 patients with Bellafill® and in none of the control group. Bruising, injection pain, erythema, and lumpiness were observed but mild-to-moderate in 13 of the 14 patients. One case suffered from severe bruising.35

Polyacrylamide

Polyacrylamide is produced by polymerization of acrylamide monomers and by cross-linking with N,N′-methylenbisacrylamide. Aquamid® is a nonabsorbable hydrogel that consists of 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide and 97.5% water. Although it has been extensively used for soft-tissue augmentation, no controlled trial of Aquamid® for acne scars has been identified.36 Two uncontrolled trials not exclusive for patients with acne scars reported high satisfaction rates and up to 5% adverse effects, such as swelling, lumpiness, and abscess formation.37,38

Poly-l-lactic acid

PLL is a biodegradable, semipermanent, and biostimulatory filler stimulating fibrous tissue formation. The commercially available product (Sculptra® and Newfill® Dermik Laboratories, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) consists of PLL microparticles, sodium carboxy-methylcellulose, and mannitol. Soft-tissue augmentation may last for up to 2 years.22

Two open trials and case reports recorded a significant improvement in atrophic acne scars, which may last for up to 4 years.39–41 Nodules developed in a single patient.41 Nodule formation with PLL can be due to too superficial injection and/or inappropriate dilution. A higher dilution than used for correction of human deficiency virus-associated midfacial lipoatrophy is recommended.

Calcium hydroxylapatite

CaHA is a synthetic, biodegradable, semipermanent, and biostimulatory filler. The commercially available product (Radiesse® Merz Pharma, Frankfurt, Germany) contains 30% CaHA microparticles suspended in a carboxy-methylcellulose gel. CaHA stimulates collage production. Soft-tissue augmentation lasts for up to 18 months.42 Open trials reported improvement in boxcar scars but failure in icepick scars, suggesting for a combination of CaHA with subcision for better outcome.43,44

Collagen

Collagen fillers are temporary fillers of either bovine, porcine, or recombinant human origin. The predominant collagen is collagen I as in human dermis. For bovine collagen fillers (Zyderm® I and II, INAME Aesthetics, Santa Barbara, CA, USA), two intradermal skin tests 2–4 weeks apart are recommended due to its allergenic potential. The skin test is not necessary for porcine collagen (Evolence® ColBar LifeScience, Herzliya, Israel) or recombinant human collagen (Cosmoderm® and Cosmoplast® Allergan, Dublin, Ireland). Collagen fillers should not be used in patients with autoimmune diseases or collagen hypersensitivity. Soft-tissue augmentation usually persists up to 6 months.45–47 The use of collagen fillers for atrophic acne scars was recommended by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.22

A case report suggested that in some patients, the effect may persist for at least 12 months.48

Hyaluronic acid filler

HA is a glycosaminoglycan polysaccharide and a physiologic component of ECM. Natural HA has the disadvantage of a short half-life of 12 hours only. Therefore, various technologies for cross-linking have been developed to stabilize HAF. Linking agents include 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, divinyl sulfone (DVS), and 2,7,8-diepoxyoctane. Modern HAFs are produced by bacterial fermentation. HAF can be divided into mono- (Esthelis® Anthies, Geneva, Switzerland/Belotero® Merz Pharma, Frankfurt, Germany, Juvederm® Allergan, Dublin, Ireland, etc) or biphasic (Perlane®, Restylane® Galderma, Sophia Anitpolis, France), whereas biphasic fillers contain HA particles suspended in HA gel.18

HAFs differ in their cross-linking technology, percentage of cross-linking, the amount of HA and bound water, viscosity, hardness, cohesivity, HA concentration, gel-to-fluid ratio, degree of HA modification, swelling, modulus, particle size (for biphasic HAF), ease of injection, and approved indications.49 This allows tailored treatment of various conditions. Injection of HAF stimulates collagen production by fibroblasts contributing to soft-tissue augmentation.50

Open trials suggest a high treatment satisfaction of patients. Most common adverse effects were mild transitory erythema and mild-to-moderate pain during injection.51,52 Pneumatic injection of HA was used in two patients to improve acne scars by one grade.53 HAF offers the opportunity of a rapid correction of nodules, etc, by the use of hyaluronidase injection.54

Comparison with other treatments for atrophic acne scars

All treatments for acne scar aim not to cure but to make the scars less visible. Among surgical procedures, subcision and microneedling are the most popular with good efficacy in atrophic acne scars except icepick scars. Punch techniques may be used for icepick scars.55 Ablative lasers, such as CO2 or erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG), are effective in atrophic acne scars. Ablative fractional lasers have also been investigated and demonstrated an improved risk profile. Multiple treatments are necessary in case of deep scars. Nonablative lasers may be used in mild acne scarring as an alternative. Laser treatments are relatively expensive and have their own risks, such as postinflammatory hyperpigmentation – particularly in ethnic skin – and scarring.56

Deep peels with trichloroacetic acid alone or in combination with other peels or microneedling can improve atrophic scars. Repeated treatments may be necessary depending on the depth of the scars. A 100% trichloroacetic acid peel is capable to improve even icepick scars.57

Other techniques have been developed, but clinical data of controlled trials are missing.

Conclusion and outlook

Dermal fillers belong to the armamentarium to improve acne scars. Their capability to augment soft tissue is the most obvious advantage. Tolerability, durability of the augmentation, adverse effects, and risk profiles differ between the various dermal filler types. Permanent fillers may exert very long-lasting effects, but in case of unwanted adverse effects, the complete removal of the material may be necessary. Temporary fillers need repeated treatments increasing the costs. HAFs have been shown to improve skin quality over time. Semipermanent fillers seem to be a good alternative. For safety reasons, deep injections are recommended.

When should dermal fillers be considered? Dermal fillers may be appropriate in soft atrophic scars of the rolling or boxcar type. HAF can improve the quality of overlying skin. Dermal fillers can be used either alone or in combinations with other procedures such as subcision, microneedling, ablative or fractional lasers, and peels. Although the use of dermal fillers is widespread, not much controlled studies have been published on their use in acne scars. Most data are from case reports and uncontrolled studies. The outcome and longevity of the tissue augmentation depend not only on the filler type and injection technique but also on the scar type. Best results have been obtained for rolling scars and depressed boxcar scars. In contrast, icepick scars and hypertrophic scars or acne keloids will not benefit from dermal filler injections at all. In practice, a multimodal approach seems to fulfill patient’s expectation at best.55,58

Fillers that can modulate ECM to reduce scarring seem to be the most interesting for future developments of a targeted treatment. Based on the experience with midfacial soft-tissue augmentation, targeted activation of white adipose tissue stem cells could be a prospective in filler use.59 Animal studies provide evidence that the combination of HA and stem cells leads to better and more stable results in tissue augmentation.60,61 This could be a step forward in tissue regeneration from which patients with acne scars may benefit in the future.

Author contributions

UW and AG conceived and designed the review, analyzed the data, wrote the first draft of the manuscript, agreed with the manuscript results and conclusions, jointly developed the structure and arguments for the article, and made critical revisions and approved final version. Both the authors reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript for submission. All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and critically revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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