title: A double-blind, randomized, multicenter, controlled trial of suspended polymethylmethacrylate microspheres for the correction of atrophic facial acne scars.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acne scarring remains a stubborn clinical problem. Few treatments have been shown to be definitely effective for this problem. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres in collagen (ArteFill, Suneva Medical Inc, Santa Barbara, CA) have shown long-term benefit for nasolabial fold treatment. A pilot study has shown benefit for PMMA-collagen in atrophic acne scarring.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of PMMA-collagen for acne scarring in a controlled, blinded trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with at least 4 moderate to severe rolling, atrophic scars randomly received PMMA-collagen or saline injections. Subjects underwent up to 2 injection sessions and were followed up for 6 months. Efficacy was assessed using a validated rating scale for each scar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 147 subjects underwent injections. Success was achieved by 64% of those treated with PMMA-collagen compared with 33% of control subjects (P = .0005). The treatment showed excellent safety with generally mild, reversible adverse events. No significant differences in efficacy or safety were noted between genders, for darker skin types, or in older age groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjects were followed up for only 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PMMA-collagen demonstrates substantial effectiveness in the treatment of atrophic acne scars of the face while maintaining an excellent safety profile. Further follow-up should be undertaken to demonstrate longer-term benefit and safety.
authors.affiliation: Suneva Medical Inc, Santa Barbara, California.
authors.forename: Jwala
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karnik
authors.affiliation: Baumann Cosmetic and Research Institute, Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.affiliation: Suzanne Bruce and Associates, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.affiliation: Callender Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, Glenn Dale, Maryland; Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Callender
authors.affiliation: FACES+ Plastic Surgery, Skin, and Laser Center, San Diego, California; Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Vitiligo & Pigmentation Institute of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Pearl
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grimes
authors.affiliation: Clinical Testing Center of Beverly Hills, CA, University of California, Los Angeles, Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Ava
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shamban
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.affiliation: private practice, Wellesley, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tedaldi
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: William Philip
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Werschler
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, California. Electronic address: ssmith@stacyrsmithmd.com.
authors.forename: Stacy R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003094:Collagen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005145:Face / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D008875:Middle Aged; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: C516180:ArteFill; D003094:Collagen; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate
keywords: acne; acne scars; collagen; dermal filler; microspheres; polymethylmethacrylate