Soft tissue augmentation in atrophic post-acne scars treatment

Authors

  • Rezvan Amiri Assistant professor of dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  • Maryam Khalili Assistant professor of dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  • Behzad Iranmanesh Assistant professor of dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  • Mehran Karvar MD, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
  • Fatemeh Rastaghi MD, Resident of dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Clinical Research Development Unit, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
  • Mahin Aflatoonian Associate professor of dermatology, Clinical Research Development Unite, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Keywords:

Soft tissue augmentation, Post acne scarring, Hyaluronic acid, Autologous fat, Plasma gel

Abstract

Acne scars have negative profound impact on the quality of life of patients. Treatment of acne scars should be customized based upon characteristics of the scar, skin type, patient's preferences, and physician’s experience. In this article, we comprehensively review the existing evidence for employing soft tissue augmentation in acne scars treatment. We searched PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Embase, Google scholar and Science Direct for articles that evaluated the efficacy of soft tissue augmentation via injection method for the treatment of atrophic acne scars from January 2000 until June 2021. Thirty articles were selected for final evaluation. The materials that were used for soft tissue augmentation in treatment of acne scars included hyaluronic acid-based fillers, autologous fat, polymethylmethacrylate microspheres plus bovine collagen, calcium hydroxylapatite, plasma gel, poly-L-lactic acid, collagen and silicone. Adjuvant treatments included microneedling, high-frequency ultrasound, microfocused ultrasound with visualization, radiofrequency, fractional carbon dioxide laser, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, fractional Er: glass, subcision and platelet rich plasma. Currently, soft tissue augmentation has gained popularity in treatment of acne scars. Soft tissue augmentation is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide both immediate and gradual improvement and is effective in the treatment of rolling and boxcar scars, while its efficacy is limited in icepick scars. Ideal filler in treatment of atrophic acne scars should have long-lasting effects with minimal side effects or serious complications such as nodule formation and immune system activation.

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doi: 10.1111/jocd.15341.

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Published

2023-08-07

How to Cite

1.
Amiri R, Khalili M, Iranmanesh B, Karvar M, Rastaghi F, Aflatoonian M. Soft tissue augmentation in atrophic post-acne scars treatment. J Pak Assoc Dermatol [Internet]. 2023Aug.7 [cited 2024Dec.4];33(3):1068-80. Available from: http://www.jpad.com.pk/index.php/jpad/article/view/2188

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 3 (2023): July-September

Section

Review Articles

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