Acne Scar Treatments with Juvederm

Juvederm® is a popular type of dermal filler that is often used to treat deeper acne scars. Female or male, young or old, acne is a condition that can affect almost anyone at any time. For most people, acne is a temporary issue that occurs and can be resolved relatively quickly. Unfortunately for some individuals, an acne outbreak can leave a person with residual scarring. In the past, acne scarring has been difficult to treat and there were few modalities available to correct acne scars, besides invasive plastic surgery. Thanks to the advent of dermal fillers and other cosmetic injectable treatments, the acne breakouts which result in acne scarring, can now be safely and effectively treated.

There are several different types of dermal fillers now used to treat acne scars. The most popular dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid based injectables, such as Juvederm and Restylane®. These hyaluronic acid fillers are used to treat atrophic scars, such as rolling scars and boxcar scars. Dr. Michele Green is an expert in cosmetic dermatology, and specializes in treating acne scars with laser treatments, chemical peels, microneedling, and dermal fillers. Her unique approach to acne scar treatment combines the best treatment modalities, to effect the greatest improvement in your acne scars.

Dr. Green has perfected treating atrophic scars with subcision at the same time as dermal filler injections. By performing these two procedures concurrently with these tethered scars, scar tissue is released, new collagen production is stimulated, and the immediate cosmetic benefit of the dermal filler is realized. Over time, the dermal fillers will cause increased collagen production, and help to heal these depressed scars. With other 25 years of experience as a cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Green is consistently recognized as one of NYC’s top doctors and will help to create a customized treatment protocol for you to rejuvenate your skin.

Juvederm for Acne Scars

Juvederm is a popular dermal filler, which is often used to treat deep acne scars. Juvederm consists of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance which occurs in the dermal layer of our skin. Through a series of injections, into the acne scars themselves, the depressed areas of collagen loss are replaced and restored. This non-invasive cosmetic technique has no recovery time and will leave you refreshed and the appearance of your acne scars improved even after only one treatment.

Juvederm works well to treat certain types of acne scars. Generally, Juvederm is best suited to treat rolling scars and boxcar scars, which resemble chicken pox scars but with sharper edges. Juvederm can also treat some ice pick scars, which are the most common type of acne scar. Injections of Juvederm into the skin will help promote collagen regrowth, and smoothing out the appearance of your skin. Juvederm is not suitable for treating raised acne scars or keloids (also known as hypertrophic scars), as these types of acne scars generally require cortisone injections and VBeam laser treatment.

Rolling acne scars look like waves, or as their name suggests a rolling pattern that is formed on the skin. This type of scarring is caused by damage under the skin where fibrous tissue bands pull the epidermis, causing tension that ultimately forms the appearance of the scar. Juvederm is well suited to treating these types of scars. Finally, ice-pick scars resemble needle-holes within the skin, as if the skin was punctured with an ice-pick. Depending on the appearance of the ice pick scars, it may be possible to treat these acne scars with fillers as well. In many cases, this type of scarring is better treated with other procedures such as laser skin resurfacing and TCA Cross.

How do dermal fillers work to treat acne scars?

There are several different types of dermal fillers, each with their own unique properties. Both Juvederm and Restylane are hyaluronic acid based fillers and generally last between six month to one year, depending on the type and amount of filler injected. Within the Juvederm family, there are several types of Juvederm which can be used to inject acne scars. If there is a large area of volume loss, Juvederm Voluma improves the contours of the face and can correct these deeper areas of volume loss, caused by acne scarring. Juvederm Voluma can last up to two years in the cheek area. Juvederm Ultra Plus is a high viscosity product, which is the most common injectable used to replace collagen loss in rolling scars. When combined with subcision, the effects of new collagen production and skin improvement generally last more than one year. Similarly, the Restylane family of products consists of Restylane L, Restylane Lyft, and Restylane Silk. Each different Restylane dermal filler has a specific thickness and can be used to restore lost volume in areas of collagen loss or small depressed atrophic scars. Both Juvederm and Restylane are safe for all skin tones and skin types.

Acne Treatment with eMatrix 5 treatments and Cosmelan after 7 months

The other unique dermal filler which has been able to replace collagen loss in acne scar patients, for up to two years, is Sculptra aesthetics. Sculptra® is an FDA approved dermal filler composed of Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) which helps stimulate your body’s natural collagen production, and replace volume loss. Sculptra is especially valuable as a dermal filler in acne scar patients due to both its longevity and ability to replace volume loss in virtually any area of the face. Sculptra also has the added benefit of lasting for over two years after cosmetic correction is achieved.

How does Bellafill treat acne scars?

Bellafill is composed of bovine collagen and combined with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). This FDA dermal filler is composed of 80 percent collagen and 20 percent polymethylmethacrylate. The collagen component provides immediate correction of the acne scars and the polymethylmethacrylate microspheres provide long term correction of acne scars. Bellafill is FDA approved for the correction of moderate to severe, atrophic, distensible facial acne scars. Since Bellafill is derived from collagen, Bellafill injections require a skin test to ensure that there is not an allergic reaction to the bovine component of the product. One of the benefits of Bellafill for acne scars is its longevity, with acne scar treatment lasting several years.

Bellafill Before & After Photo

How does Botox help with scars?

Recent studies with Botox have showed its ability to aid in wound healing, specifically in regards to scars and acne scarring. Botox has helped heal facial scars with minimal scarring, when the scars are the result of local facial muscle movement. This pivotal study by the Mayo Clinic, shows the value of Botox during the acute phase of wound healing, to help minimize acne scarring. In addition, Botox injections into facial pores prevents the production of sebum, which decreases the production of bacteria that cause acne breakouts. Botox injections block the chemical acetylcholine in the skin’s dermis, thereby blocking sebum production and acne and decreasing pore size.

Acne scar treatment with dermal fillers

It is critical to consult a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for acne scar treatment with dermal fillers. Acne scar treatment is a complex process and a combination of different modalities is used to have the best cosmetic results. Juvederm and other dermal fillers can be used for facial contouring, for areas of the face which have suffered from a great deal of volume loss as a result of acne scars. After correction is achieved of these concavities, laser treatments with Fraxel, eMatrix, VBeam laser, and CO2 lasers, can help to improve the overall texture of the skin, and stimulate new collagen production. The content on this website is for informational purposes, and it is best to have an in person consultation for specific medical or cosmetic advice.

Hyperpigmentation vs acne scars

It is important to differentiate between hyperpigmentation and acne scars. Many acne breakouts leave the skin with dark marks and discoloration, which are different from the permanent indentations caused by acne scars. These hyperpigmented patches are not acne scars. Dr. Green is an expert in treating this post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) from acne scars. Depending on the amount of hyperpigmentation and distribution, there are several ways to treat these dark marks. Chemical peels, Cosmelan, Hydroquinones, and skin lightening creams, can all help to permanently remove this hyperpigmentation. Careful sun avoidance and the daily use of sunscreen is essential to ensure that these dark marks do not recur.

Acne scar and hyperpigmentation treatment – 1 month

What is the procedure for Juvederm injections of acne scars?

The Juvederm procedure is straight forward. Each individual depressed scar area will need to be treated with Juvederm to see an improvement. Most dermal fillers are compounded with lidocaine, to make the injections more comfortable. Some patients prefer to apply a topical anesthetic cream one hour before their injections. After the Juvederm injections, the cosmetic results will continue to improve over the next weeks. As with all dermal fillers, the results will gradually fade over time. Since collagen production is stimulated by each procedure, there will be continued benefits of Juvederm injections over time, as well as with repeated injections of Juvederm.

In some cases, depending on the size and depth of the acne scars, Juvederm requires only one single treatment, with the results typically lasting from 9 to 12 months. Common side effects may include tenderness in the treated area, as well as redness and bumps that may occur in some patients. Overall though, the injection process will take under 30 minutes, which means you can easily schedule it at lunch time and immediately return back to your normal activities with no down time.

How long does Juvederm last for acne scars?

Juvederm Voluma can last up to two years in duration and Juvederm Ultra Plus generally lasts up to one year. Juvederm Volbella lasts from 9 to 12 months.

Which procedures can be combined with Juvederm injections to improve acne scars?

In many circumstances, it is appropriate to combine Juvederm injections with other treatments for acne scars. Chemical peels, TCA CROSS, VBeam laser treatment, eMatrix laser, Fraxel laser, and Clear and Brilliant laser are some of the most commonly combined treatment modalities with dermal filler injections of acne scars. Many patients take this opportunity to have Juvederm injected into other areas of your face, including nasolabial folds (smile lines), oral commissures, tear troughs (under eye), and the chin area. Dr. Green will discuss with you what would be the best combination of treatments to improve both your skin tone and texture and reduce the appearance of your acne scars and provide the best facial rejuvenation.

What are the side effects of acne scar injections with Juvederm?

The side effects of Juvederm injections, are similar to the reactions from dermal filler injections and include:

• Swelling at the injection site
• Bruising locally at the site of injection
• Erythema
• Pain
• Bumps or lumps at the injection site or deeper nodules under the skin
• Bluish hue under the skin (Tyndall effect) from injections done too superficially

Skin care and acne scar treatment

It is very important to continue the use of the best skin care products, to prevent future acne breakouts, which might result in acne scars, Daily use of such acne fighting products containing retinol, salicylic acid, lactic acid, resorcinol, kojic acid, mandolin acid, and tretinoin, can all help improve your skin tone and texture. Dermatology procedures such as HydraFacials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, microneedling, and Clear and Brilliant Laser, complement good skin care, and help effectively treat both acne, dark marks, and acne scars.

If you are frustrated with issues surrounding acne scarring, there are many non-surgical treatments which can help. Contact us online today or call our NYC based office 212-535-3088 to learn more about whether using Juvederm to treat acne scars may be the best solution for you.