1. Problems Encountered Using Dermal Fillers, Particularly Calcium Hydroxylapatite As A Treatment In Acne Scarring
8 August 2013
Abstract
Objectives: This paper seeks to establish the efficacy and safety
profile of dermal fillers, especially calcium hydroxyapatite in the
treatment of atrophic acne scars.
Methods: Twenty seven subjects with differing degrees of atrophic
acne scars were treated with calcium hydroxylapatite filler over
a twelve month period. Thirteen patients were treated with low
molecular weight cross linked hyaluronic acid in a comparative
study
Results: Most atrophic acne scars responded well to calcium
hydroxyapatite dermal filler treatment. Ice-pick scars were not
treated. At 12-month evaluation, 22% of subjects showed 75%
improvement;while48%showed50%improvement.Thiscompared
to only 3% and 9% for the hyaluronic acid patients.
Conclusions: Dermal fillers, especially calcium hydroxyapatite
can provide a safe and efficacious method of treating atrophic
acne scars. This compound appears to give a more long term effect
due to volume replenishment and possible neocollagenesis. The
efficacy of hyaluronic acid is not demonstrable
Key words: Calcium hydroxyapatite, hyaluronic acid, acne scars,
dermal fillers
Dr. Patrick Treacy
LRCSI, BCh, BCAM, MRCGP, DRCOG, DCH,
BSc (Hons) H Dip Dermatology
Ireland
Problems Encountered Using
Dermal Fillers, Particularly Calcium
Hydroxylapatite As A Treatment In
Acne Scarring
Introduction
Acneoccursinabout95%of16-17-year-
old boys and 84% of 16-17-year-
old girls (1). Although the condition
usually resolves by the mid twenties;
nevertheless, 1% of men and 5% of
women still bear signs of moderately
severe acne scarring at 40 years of
age (2). Some studies show scarring of
some degree may affect up to 95% of
patients with acne (3). The same study
found keloidal or hypertrophic truncal
scarring was more common in men.
This form of scarring is usually treated
with by such measures as intralesional
steroids, silicone sheeting or vascular
laser treatment. Atrophic scarring often
appears years later and can cause great
Problems encountered using dermal fillers, particularly Calcium Hydroxylapatite as a treatment in acne scarring.indd 8 8/1/2013 11:48:29 AM