ReviewClinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology2026
Injectable Fillers for Atrophic Acne Scars: A Systematic Review of Mechanisms, Evidence, and Clinical Algorithms.
Review in Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Polynucleotides High Purification Technology: A Real-World Prospective Study in a Hospital Outpatient Setting Supports PN HPT as a Regenerative Medicine Option for Acne Scar Management.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Trial
- Operational Standard for Tissue-Extracted Collagen Facial Injection Techniques.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Acne affects 9.4% of the global population, with the highest prevalence among adolescent males (12-25 years of age). More than 95% of patients develop persistent scarring, predominantly atrophic acne scars (AAS). These scars markedly impair facial aesthetics, psychological well-being, and quality of life, and increase the risk of depression and suicidal ideation. Conventional therapies (eg, Dermabrasion, Subcision and Traditional Ablative Lasers) show limited efficacy for shallow AAS and are associated with procedural pain, delayed onset of improvement, and a need for repeated sessions. Dermal fillers provide a promising alternative by delivering immediate volumetric correction and aesthetic enhancement while also stimulating long-term collagen production with minimal invasiveness and favorable safety profiles. They therefore represent a novel therapeutic approach for AAS. Aim: This review systematically evaluates the clinical utility of dermal fillers for treating AAS and explores future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Methods: We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases for studies published in the past 10 years, categorizing and evaluating the efficacy and adverse effects of different dermal fillers for treating AAS. Results: Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria, involving collagen-based fillers, hyaluronic acid fillers, collagen stimulator fillers, autologous fat, and decellularized matrix fillers. All filler types demonstrated significant scar improvement. Effects ranged from 3-6 months to >24 months. CaHA, PCL, and autologous fat/SVF demonstrated ≥6-month durability. Transient erythema, edema, and ecchymosis were common. Infrequent events included nodules and hyperpigmentation. No severe complications were reported. Conclusion: Multiple studies indicate that dermal fillers offer advantages over conventional therapies for atrophic scars. They provide immediate volumetric correction and stimulate long-term collagen production, with less tissue trauma than traditional approaches. Specific formulations also enhance skin hydration and may slow aging processes. Collectively, these benefits demonstrate substantial clinical promise, particularly when incorporated into combination therapies.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.