Bellafill® for Acne Scarring

Millions of Americans suffer from acne and a significant number of acne patients go on to develop devastating scarring. Most acne scar treatments aim to either remove or replace abnormal tissue and stimulate new collagen formation to fill in old scars. There are several different acne scar removal treatments, and acne scars come in 3 main types (rolling, boxcar, icepick and combinations of the three). Rolling scars are like broad, low hills, while boxcar scars have a thick, hard center, often white, that pulls down. Icepick scars are very narrow and deep. These are all “atrophic” scars meaning there is an overall loss of skin. Due to the variety of the acne scar types, a combined approach is often needed for optimal results, and our patients frequently have to make trade-offs between efficacy, longevity, and downtime. In addition, deeper scars will improve with laser but can be resistant to treatment.

Before & After 2 Treatments of Bellafill®, Photo Courtesy of Advanced Dermatology, LLC. Results may vary.

Now we have Bellafill®! Bellafill®, new to Advanced Dermatology, is the only dermal filler on the market approved for the correction of moderate to severe, atrophic facial acne scars. The filler offers a new treatment choice that is proven to be safe, effective, and long lasting with minimal to no downtime. It is an excellent option for rolling scars and can be used in combination with other acne scar treatments to provide the best results. In fact, 90% of patients in clinical trials were satisfied with results 12 months after treatment.

Bellafill® is a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) collagen filler that works in two ways. The filler provides immediate volume below pitted acne scars to lift them to the level of the surrounding skin. The PMMA microspheres also create a matrix that supports your body’s own collagen production. Thus, Bellafill® provides immediate volume and lift while the PMMA microspheres remain in place and support collagen production in your skin for long lasting improvement.

Bellafill® can be used alone or in combination with other treatments for acne scarring. Depending on the severity of your scarring, we may suggest laser treatments including eMatrix, a radiofrequency device, Fraxel® Repair and CO2 laser resurfacing, or CO2RE. Following a series of laser treatments, Bellafill® can be used to touch up deep, resistant scarring that previously was difficult to treat.

If you have acne scarring and think you may be a candidate for Bellafill®, please call our office at 847-459-6400 to schedule a consultation. You will also be asked to schedule a skin allergy test prior to receiving a Bellafill® treatment as some patients may be allergic to the lidocaine or bovine collagen in Bellafill®. After treatment, you may notice temporary swelling, redness, pain, bruising, lumps/bumps, itching, and discoloration at the treatment site. These side effects typically resolve within 1 to 7 days.