Have you ever felt self-conscious or embarrassed over facial scars left over from acne? Have you tried different products promising scar reduction without success? The experts at SkinMD Seattle, in Seattle, WA are here to help you find a lasting solution to treat your scars with Bellafill.
What Are Acne Scars?
Acne scars are an unfortunate side effect of an already frustrating skin condition. Whether we have already outgrown our teenage, blemish-filled years or are suffering more severe cystic acne into adulthood, many of us end up with imperfections and scarring on our skin from acne. It’s so common, in fact, that scar reduction is one of the most sought-after skin treatments today.
Acne scarring can vary in severity and kind. Sometimes we merely have a few minor spots on our face where we have altered or darkened skin, commonly referred to as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Other times the scarring is much more intense, leaving divots and deep indentations in the skin.
This more severe type of skin condition is known as persistent scarring, or atrophic scars. These scars can be broken down into three main categories.
The Three Types of Persistent Scarring:
- Ice-pick scars–deep, round, pitted scars
- Rolling scars–broad depressions with a sloping edge
- Boxcar scars–broad depressions with sharply defined edges
How Are These Acne Scars Formed?
Acne occurs when oil is overproduced and bacteria builds up in our oil glands. These glands get clogged, leading to inflammation and infection. This overproduction of oil is usually caused by hormonal changes, but other lifestyle factors may contribute as well. Most small blemishes stay contained within the affected pore and will heal relatively quickly. However, when acne is left untreated or is particularly severe, it can create deep cysts or lesions as a result of the infection.
This inflammation and pus buildup swell and damage the walls of the oil glands and cause them to break. When these walls break, the infected material can spill out into the surrounding tissue, creating deeper lesions. The skin attempts to repair these lesions by forming new collagen fibers. These repairs usually aren’t as smooth or flawless as the original skin, resulting in the indentations and divots known as acne scars.
Finding Real Solutions
Countless products and treatments exist on the market for scar reduction. Topical serums and creams line drugstore aisles with promises of improved elasticity and smoother skin. Laser treatments, chemical facials, and fillers all are aimed at improving appearance and confidence.
While these treatments can be very useful in rejuvenating the skin and treating some imperfections, they often only produce short-lived or superficial results. When it comes to long-term results for minimizing the depressions left from acne scars, Bellafill stands out from the rest.
What Makes Bellafill Different From Other Scar Reduction Treatments?
Bellafill is a different approach to treating acne scars. Rather than only focusing on the surface of the skin, this is an injectable filler that lifts and smoothes the skin beneath the surface. While other fillers do exist as treatment, they simply fill the area before dissolving. Bellafill not only fills but restores the skin for a natural, long-lasting result.
This unique dermal filler is a gel-based collagen with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres. Once injected, these microspheres stay in place and create a matrix that forms the foundation for smoother-looking skin. This matrix not only provides a structural base but also helps to stimulate new collagen production to continue filling and evening out the skin.
How Long Will My Results Last?
Immediately after treatment, the gel will begin volumizing and filling the desired area. You will be able to leave the office already feeling more confident in your skin! That feeling won’t be short-lived.
Other fillers used in treating wrinkles or scars dissolve rather quickly. This requires frequent visits and reapplication to maintain the desired results. Bellafill lasts up to four times longer than any other filler currently used for scar reduction. Improvements in your skin can last up to 12 months before you need to return for additional treatment.
This treatment has proven so successful that when patients in a recent Bellafill study were asked to rate their satisfaction with the appearance of the acne scars chosen for correction, 90% were satisfied within 12 months.
How Safe Is It?
Any time we consider a new cosmetic treatment, we obviously want to be aware of the risks. This filler is not only outstanding in terms of results but also in safety. In fact, Bellafill is the only FDA-approved filler on the market indicated for the correction of moderate to severe atrophic, distensible facial acne scars on the cheeks in patients over the age of 21.
The actual PMMA microsphere makeup of the gel is incredibly safe, having been used in medical applications and implants for over 65 years. Bellafill has been proven safe through five years in the largest and longest prospective dermal filler study ever completed.
Feel Confident in Your Skin
Our team is happy to help answer any further questions you may have about Bellafill and scar reduction. If you want to know more about the procedure and to see if you are a good fit for this treatment, we recommend setting up a consultation. Your concerns, comfort, and satisfaction are our highest priority.
With Bellafill you too can feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. Call us today at SkinMD Seattle in Seattle, WA to set up an appointment!
