Comparison of 2 Hyaluronic Acid-based Fillers for the Treatment of Acne Scars: Structural Lifting Versus Biostimulatory Effect

Abstract

BACKGROUND Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers are effective at mitigating acne scars due to their filling effect. Complexes of high and low molecular weight HA demonstrated a delayed biostimulatory effect. OBJECTIVE The authors sought to compare the results of acne scar treatment using a filler composed of complexes of high and low molecular weight HA versus a traditional cross-linking HA filler. METHODS Thirty patients with moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scarring were included in this prospective, split-face, double-blinded, randomized controlled study. Each underwent 3 monthly injections of a novel formula of combined high and low molecular weight HA (P) to the base of acne scars on 1 side of the face and traditional cross-linking HA (JV) filler on the other. Patients were evaluated 6 months after their last treatment for objective and subjective improvements. RESULTS For JV, statistically significant reductions were observed in the acne scar volume but nearly no change in elasticity and stretch during early treatments. For P, no significant differences were observed in early treatments; however, statistically significant improvements were observed in later visits. CONCLUSION Although the traditional JV filler demonstrated an earlier impact than P, the latter produced delayed positive changes that were more pronounced than the traditional filler.