Correction of atrophic scars with artefill: an open-label pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Artefill, a novel permanent filler approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been used as an injectable implant for the correction of nasolabial folds. Fillers are considered a first line treatment for atrophic scars.

OBJECTIVE

The authors evaluated the degree of correction and subject satisfaction of correction of atrophic acne scar(s) after injection of Artefill.

METHODS

Fourteen qualified subjects participated in a single-center, open-label, pilot study. Atrophic acne scars were evaluated prior to injection. Subscision was performed, and then Artefill was injected into the scar. The degree of improvement was measured at weeks 2 and 4 and month 8. Subjects were asked to fill out a satisfaction survey at their eight-month visit.

RESULTS

Investigator ratings after eight months post procedure indicated that 96 percent of the atrophic acne scars showed some degree of improvement. There was no improvement in two out of a total of 57 scars evaluated. The majority of patients reported a moderate correction, correlating with a 51-75 percent improvement in their acne scars at eight months. No adverse events or side effects were noted.

CONCLUSION

Artefill demonstrated to be both an efficacious and safe therapy for the treatment of atrophic acne scars.