Dermal Filler Treatment for Acne Scars


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Also known as skin augmentation, dermal fillers are a very effective treatment for occasional, ice pick or boxcar scars. They are administered in the form of an injection into the require area. This injection fills the area with one of the many filler substances now available. This has the effect of pushing the depressed scar upwards from below the scar’s surface so that it is in line with the rest of your unscarred skin. This means that the scar is far less noticeable and, in some cases, invisible. As the process is very easy to perform it can be done by licensed beauticians and non-medical professionals. This is something of a double-edged sword. If you are interested in convenience, it is a bonus, however, if you want to best result, it is prudent to find the most experienced, medical professional for your treatment.

The main problem with dermal fillers is that they are not permanent. Your body naturally breaks down fillers that the procedure introduces and therefore, over time, your scar will ‘sink’ back to its original level, making it visible again. Although dermal fillers are very quick, easy, recovery-free and, used in the right circumstances, very effective the major downside is price. In order to maintain the effect gained from dermal fillers you will have to regularly have them redone. Over a lifetime this will work out far more expensive than other possible treatments. You may have heard that permanent fillers do exist. This is correct, however, the health risks of the permanent fillers we know about are too high for them to be available.


The price, success and length of effect can vary depending on the kind of filler used. There are well over twenty-five different brands of filler available and your practitioner should be able to give you a range of options that will be most suitable for you. Some of the most common types of filler are:

Bovine Collagen

This one of the earliest successful types of filler and is taken from the skin of cows. Before it is injected into your skin it undergoes an extremely thorough process of purification. Like all available fillers it is semi-permanent and is steadily becoming less popular compared to its more modern, synthetically made version, Hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic Acid

This is probably the most popular filler type available. Although it only lasts a couple of months it is effective and produces very natural-looking results with few side effects. This is because it is made of proteins that naturally occur in the human body. Perlane and Restylane are just two fillers of this type and can work well to reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Body Fat

A neat solution to any concerns you may have about introducing foreign substances into your skin is to use your own fat as a filler. In this case you will have fat removed the most suitable area, commonly your buttocks, thighs or stomach before it is injected into the scarred area. The lifespan of this filler is variable and can range from anywhere between a few weeks to a year.

'Permanent' Dermal Fillers

These fillers are, misleadingly, not actually permanent. They do, however, have a much more long-term effect than others, lasting several years in some cases. They are mostly fall into two types, those which are silicon based and those which are based on hydrogel. There are some concerns about using silicon as a filler.

Who Can Perform Dermal Filler Treatments?

Dermal filler treatments for acne scars, like Botox, do not necessarily have to be conducted by a qualified medical professional. Other trained, licensed practitioners such as nurses or dentists can also perform them.

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Guide to Dermal Fillers for Acne Scars




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