A single-center, open-label study on the use of injectable poly-L-lactic acid for the treatment of moderate to severe scarring from acne or varicella

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Acne scars may negatively impact quality of life. The purpose of this study was to collect preliminary data on the efficacy and safety of injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA, Sculptra, Dermik Laboratories) for the treatment of acne scars. METHODS Twenty subjects aged 42.4 +/- 10.7 years (10 men, 10 women) with facial scars resulting from moderate to severe acne or varicella participated in this single-center, open-label prospective study. The primary end point was the resolution of the acne or varicella scars. Secondary end points were the physician and subject assessments of scar improvement. PLLA reconstituted with 5 mL of sterile water was injected serially at or near the sites of the acne scars without topical anesthesia. RESULTS Investigator-assessed reductions in acne scar size and severity were significant (p <.0001) during the course of seven treatments. Subject-rated reduction in scar severity was also significant (p=.0078). Subject satisfaction with treatment trended toward an increase with each treatment session and approached significance (p=.0899). Adverse events were limited to depression (n= 1) not related to the treatment. CONCLUSION Injectable PLLA as used in this investigation appears to correct the types of acne scars treated in this study without serious adverse effects.