Sculptra for Acne Scars

If you have volume loss under the acne scarred skin, Sculptra can help to restore volume. I generally inject Sculptra with a 25 gauge needle. This size needle, makes it difficult to inject into the supporting layer of the skin. By contrast when we inject hyaluronmic acid fillers under the acne scar, we use a smaller 30 gauge needle.

 Kateanne Thank you for your question. Depending on the depth and severity of the acne scars, Sculptra may indeed provide good results. When done correctly, Sculptra stimulates collagen production in addition to providing volume to the area. You may need mutilple treatments for best results. I also recommend a series of microneedling with PRP. The combination can loosen scar tissue in deep acne scars and allow the PRP to soften the deep pits by naturally stimulating collagen. In more severe cases, I follow up this combination with a long lasting filler like Bellafill, which can last up to five years after a treatment program. I hope this helps. Have a wonderful day. 

Sculptra could be helpful for improving acne scars in select patients. Any filler that improves the contour of the skin by stretching it may give the same result. I will often recommend some form of resurfacing with an Erb:Yag laser, fractional CO2 laser, dermabrasion, or chemical peel in conjunction with hyaluronic acid fillers to specific scars. In some cases, scar excision and grafting can also be helpful.
A facial plastic surgeon is likely to be your best starting point to discuss all of these options in detail and formulate a specific treatment plan.
All the best,

Optimal acne scar revision must be customized based on individual needs and priorities. Loss of volume along cheeks, i.e. sunken cheeks accentuate existing acne scarring. Sculptra can be quite helpful to diminish appearance of acne scarring by stretching the skin. In addition, meticulous and vigorous massaging immediately after the Sculptra injection can facilitate collagen production around and within acne scarring. Ice-picked scarring should be punch excised. I have found performing Sculptra injection following Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing offers an additive benefit by further stimulating collagen production.

Sculptra can be used for acne scar improvement only if a diffuse cheek volume enhancement will help flatten the scars. If stretching the skin around the scars doesn't help lift them, then Sculpra won't give you the result you want.