How Fillers Can Treat Acne Scars

Maybe you’ve heard about injectable fillers but thought they wouldn’t do anything for you. Some of the most common and popular uses of fillers may be to plump your lips or cheeks, but you can use them for other purposes, too.

Many people with stubborn acne scars find that fillers are effective in treating them and minimizing their appearance. Dr. Mark Mathieson at Sterling Plastic & Reconstructive in Sarasota, Florida, explains more about how fillers can help with acne scars.

What are fillers?

Fillers are FDA-approved compounds that can be injected just under your skin by a trained dermatologist. This can give your skin a more full and plump appearance. 

Dermal fillers are made from a gel-like substance. When injected under your skin, they can restore volume lost due to aging or other factors such as weight loss. Most dermal fillers are made from other skincare-grade substances, such as hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water and attracts more water to it.

Using fillers to treat acne scars

Although fillers are often thought of as something to smooth the wrinkles from your skin or to plump up your lips, they’re also ideal for treating acne scars.

Acne scars are a little bit different than other skin conditions. Acne is often an inflammatory process, which can make the appearance of your skin suffer. You might have scars left behind from previous breakouts, which can give your skin a lumpy or uneven texture.

Fillers such as Juvederm Voluma® XC are especially effective against acne scars. After a dermal treatment injection, you are likely to notice improved skin texture and tone and your face should look more even and smooth.

How long do dermal fillers last?

Dermal fillers are wonderful, but for most people, their only significant drawback is that they don’t last forever. Unfortunately, fillers usually last 6-12 months on average. After this point, you may notice that the effects begin to disappear and wear off.

While acne scars are generally considered permanent, fillers can help greatly. Fillers act as a smoothing agent, much like a slipcover covers over a sofa that has gotten a few stains or tears. Just as you first have to smooth out the wrinkles before applying a slipcover, dermal fillers help cover imperfections in your skin such as acne scars.

How much downtime to expect

The great thing about fillers is that you have virtually no downtime for recovery. Most patients can take an afternoon off from work and return to work the next day.

While severe reactions aren’t very common, you may experience some of the following symptoms, which are considered normal:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Redness

The results are usually immediate, so you can walk out of the office with a smoother-looking face. The effects may either be subtle or more extreme, depending on your skin and the amount of difference you want to see. 

Although most patients are happy with the outcome of their fillers, if for some reason you’re not happy with the results, we can inject an enzyme that dissolves the fillers.

If you’re considering using dermal fillers to treat your acne scars, schedule a consultation to learn more about what they can do for you. Contact Dr. Mark Mathieson at Sterling Plastic & Reconstructive or request an appointment online.