According to the National Institute of Medical Aesthetics, 95 percent of acne patients develop acne scarring, leading to approximately 10 million Americans developing acne scarring yearly. Aging also affects the visibility of acne scars. Once an individual turns 40 years old, 1 percent of the skin’s collagen is lost. This causes the scars to become even more visible.
Why Acne Scarring Occurs
Acne scars are considered atrophic scars and occur because collagen is lost in these areas; therefore, replacing this lost volume and encouraging collagen production will raise the scar, filling the indention.
3 Common Types of Acne Scars
Depressed Acne Scars – also referred to as ‘pitted.’ This type of scarring is frequently seen.
The three types of pitted acne scars that are most common include:
1. Icepick Scars – these deep, narrow scars form pits in the skin. Icepick scars are the most prevalent form of acne and frequently resemble a large pore.
2. Boxcar Scars – frequently located on the temples and cheek. These scars are wide with steep, well-defined edges.
3. Rolling Scars – also wide but rounded with sloping edges and a shallow depth.
Treating Acne Scarring with Dermal Fillers
A Cosmetic Doctor can use dermal fillers to treat acne scarring. Fillers are especially effective on the rolling and boxcar types of acne scarring. Fillers are able to replenish the volume lost within the dermal layers of your skin. Because most fillers already contain the anesthetic lidocaine, the pain experienced during the process is minimal.
Hyaluronic Based Fillers are Ideal for Treating Acne Scarring
The hyaluronic-based fillers like Juvederm® and Belotero® work well for acne scarring. Results are evident immediately following treatment and continue modifying over a period of several months. This continued modification occurs due to the fillers’ ability to break up some scarred bands and stimulate collagen production. It is believed this occurs because the dermal filler stretches fibroblasts. A fibroblast is a cell within the connective tissue that produces collagen.
Filler Longevity
Dermal fillers usually last somewhere between 4-18 months. The duration depends on the kind of filler Dr. Charles Dietzek uses to fill your acne scars. The more fluid fillers usually last up to 6 months; thicker fillers like Juvaderm® can last as long as 18 months.
Recovery Period
Treatment with dermal fillers does not require any downtime. In fact, patients can return to work immediately following their filler treatment. Some patients will experience mild bruising, but this should disappear within a few days.
If you are looking for New Jersey Aesthetic Services, contact the Vein & Vascular Institute today. Dr. Dietzek has three convenient South Jersey Cosmetic Center locations; Sewell, Voorhees, and Vineland.