Highly Purified Microdroplet Liquid Injectable Silicone for the Treatment of Acne Scars in Lighter and Darker Skin Types: A Retrospective Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND Treatment of acne scarring in darker skin types is fraught with challenges. Highly purified liquid injectable silicone (LIS) is effective in the treatment of acne scars, although its use in darker skin types has yet to be evaluated. OBJECTIVE Retrospective evaluation of the safety and efficacy of highly purified LIS for the treatment of acne scars in lighter and darker skin types. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients who received highly purified LIS for acne scars between July 2010 and March 2021. RESULTS Two hundred six total treatments in 96 patients, 32.29% (n = 31) of whom were Fitzpatrick skin type IV (n = 20, 20.83%) and V (n = 11, 11.46%), with depressed and both broad-based and shallow acne scarring were reviewed. Mean age was 50.77 years (SD 16.77), and 83% were female. Complications such as granuloma formation, migration, extrusion of silicone, hyperpigmentation, hematoma, or infection were not observed. The average follow-up time was 6.31 years (SD 3.02). CONCLUSION Highly purified LIS is a safe and effective permanent treatment for acne scars in all skin types. Injection of highly purified LIS using small volume microdroplet technique at 6- to 8-week intervals did not yield any complications, including in patients with darker skin types.