A split-face, blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid filler for the correction of atrophic facial scars.

Background: Hyaluronic acid fillers have been studied extensively for facial wrinkles; however, their efficacy for atrophic facial scars has yet to be analyzed in a prospective placebo-controlled study.

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of a hyaluronic acid filler for atrophic facial scars.

Methods & Materials: Fifteen subjects were randomized to receive up to 1 ml of VYC-17.5 L on one cheek and up to 1 ml of saline on the other side, with an optional touch-up treatment. Subjects were graded by a live blind evaluator using the Quantitative Global Scarring Grading System (QGSGS) (J Cosmet Dermatol. 2006;5:48), the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), and Canfield photo-analysis.

Results: According to the blind evaluator, there was a significant reduction 90 days after the last treatment on the QGSGS for VYC-17.5L compared with saline (-6.6 VYC-17.5L vs -1.7 saline [t(28) = -4.3196, p = 0.008]). There was a smaller, but still significant reduction on the QGSGS for saline alone (10.4 to 8.6 [t(14) = -3.453, p = 0.004]). In addition, 93% (13/14) of subjects chose VYC-17.5L over saline treatment and reported an improvement on the GAIS. There were no serious side effects and all minor side effects resolved by Day 30.

Conclusion: VYC-17.5L achieved significant improvements in rolling atrophic scars as compared to saline, though saline also had modest improvements.