The possibilities of using injectables in the treatment of atrophic scars

Abstract

Atrophic scars are a common complication that accompanies the healing of vulgar acne. The condition is quite widespread among young people, and their physical and psychological consequences with improper treatment can persist throughout life. There are many therapies for atrophic scars, but limited efficacy and high frequency of side effects limit use of these methods. For optimal treatment of a patient’s scar, it is necessary to predict which treatment will prtovide the most satisfactory result in the short period of time with the minimum number of side effects. Analysis of numerous studies shows that there is no panacea for the treatment of atrophic scars, which explains the developing trend towards the development of combined treatment methods. The purpose of our review is to analyze injectable methods of therapy for atrophic scars with an emphasis on the latest achievements of the previous decade, since in recent years these methods have shown themselves not only as one of the most successful in therapy, but also, according to most authors, there is a huge potential to increase the efficacy of treatment in severe cases. Although, it is difficult to make an unbiased comparison of each therapy method due to the different sample sizes of studies, the strength of evidence, the specifics of therapy and other factors, nevertheless, there is a possibility of reaching consensus on which treatment methods are optimally suited for certain types of scars. This should be an absolute determining factor for choosing the best therapeutic strategy, whether it is monotherapy or combination therapy, in the treatment of atrophic scars with minimum side effects.