A recent double-blind study has shown that the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres in collagen are effective for treating atrophic facial acne scars. Acne scarring has long been a problem that plagues many current or former acne sufferers, and yet there is no foolproof treatment. Atrophic acne scars in particular are depressed or pitted scars caused by the loss of tissue. These scars are particularly difficult to cover superficially.
Polymethylmethacrylate microspheres in collagen have been previously shown to be a beneficial treatment for nasolabial folds, so a study was conducted to examine other possible benefits. Collagen effects the strength, elasticity, and healing of the skin, so it’s possible this same treatment could have a multitude of other benefits as well.
In the double-blind, randomized, multi-center, controlled trial, subjects with at least 4 moderate-to-severe acne scars randomly received either PMMA-collagen or saline injections. They underwent up to two injection sessions and were followed up with for six months. Each scar was assessed with a validated rating scale to determine the treatment’s effectiveness.
147 total subjects underwent injections. Of those recipients who received the PMMA-collagen injections, 64% achieved success, as opposed to only 33% of the control subjects. No significant differences were noted in efficacy between genders, skin types, or age groups.
The treatment was also assessed for safety, and was found to have excellent safety, with only generally mind adverse effects, which were reversed without issue. There were also no safety differences noted between genders, skin types, or age groups.
Subjects were only followed for six months, so further research will be necessary to determine the long-term effectiveness and safety of this treatment. However, this study showed that PMMA-collagen demonstrates substantial effectiveness in the treatment of atrophic acne facial scars, while maintaining an excellent safety profile.
Further research will be required to determine the overall long-term effects, but this particular study shows promising results, and hopefully many more effective treatment possibilities.