Louis P. Bucky, MD, FACS
Award-Winning, World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon
Premiere Destination for Finest Injectables & Skin Care
Bellafill® Acne Scar Treatment
At Bucky Plastic Surgery, we proudly offer Bellafill, an FDA-approved dermal filler designed to treat acne scars. Unlike traditional fillers, Bellafill provides immediate volume while stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production for long-term improvement. This dual-action approach helps smooth out the depressions caused by acne scars, giving your skin a smoother, more even texture over time. Ideal for patients seeking a non-surgical solution for atrophic acne scars, Bellafill’s results are long-lasting and natural-looking. Our experienced team, overseen by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Louis P. Bucky, will create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve clear, rejuvenated skin that restores your confidence.
What Is Bellafill?
Bellafill is also the first—and currently, the only—injectable to receive FDA approval for treating acne scarring. Safe and effective for all skin types, this unique procedure can be an excellent option for women and men seeking to reduce the appearance of rolling and/or box acne scars on the cheeks, temples, and chin.1 Bellafill is by far the most direct treatment for acne scars available today. When combined with skin care techniques such as peels, micro-needling, or laser resurfacing, patients can diminish up to 85-90% of acne scarring on their face with exceptional, long-lasting results. By employing this innovative injectable treatment, Dr. Louis P. Bucky and our injectable providers may be able to help you achieve a smoother, more even-looking appearance to the skin without the need for frequent “touch-up” visits.
How Does Bellafill Work?
Bellafill provides immediate and long-lasting correction through a unique dual-action formula. It contains smooth collagen gel for instant volume and lift and tiny polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres that create a supportive scaffold beneath the skin. These microspheres stimulate your body’s natural collagen production over time, resulting in sustained improvement and smoothness lasting up to a year or longer.
What Can Bellafill Treat?
Its unique formulation provides immediate volume and long-lasting support for acne scars, making it particularly effective for patients seeking to smooth out these areas on the face while enjoying extended results. Bellafill’s ability to stimulate collagen production ensures that improvements continue to develop over time, offering a durable and natural-looking correction for a variety of skin concerns.
Preparing for Bellafill Injections
Before receiving Bellafill injections, we recommend avoiding blood-thinning medications, supplements, and alcohol for at least one week to minimize the risk of bruising. During your consultation, we will review your medical history and discuss any allergies, particularly to collagen, as Bellafill contains bovine collagen. A skin test may be performed to ensure you’re a good candidate for treatment.
The Bellafill Treatment
Bellafill injections are performed in-office and typically take about 30 minutes. Using a fine needle, the filler is injected directly into the targeted acne scars. The treatment provides immediate volume, and the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres within Bellafill stimulate collagen production over time, leading to long-term improvement. Most patients describe the procedure as minimally uncomfortable.
Recovery After Bellafill Injections
After Bellafill injections, there is no downtime, and you can return to your normal activities almost immediately. Mild swelling, redness, or bruising may occur but typically resolves within a few days. Results are both immediate and progressive, with continued collagen growth improving your skin’s appearance over the coming months. For optimal healing, avoid strenuous activity and sun exposure for at least 24 hours post-treatment.
FAQs About Bellafill
Depending on the type and severity of acne scarring being addressed, patients typically require one full Bellafill® treatment, followed later by a “touch-up” session to ensure an optimal outcome. Most individuals notice about a 50-60% reduction in acne scarring approximately six weeks after their initial treatment, and results can continue to improve for up to a year.
Results from Bellafill are often immediately apparent and have been known to last for at least five years, if not longer.
Yes, like all injectable treatments, Bellafill, can have some side effects. Common side effects include temporary redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness at the injection site.2 These typically resolve within a few days. In rare cases, patients may experience lumps or bumps under the skin. It’s important to discuss any concerns with your injector during your consultation to ensure a safe and effective treatment experience.
Yes, you can combine other cosmetic procedures with your injections for a more comprehensive rejuvenation. Many patients choose to enhance their results by pairing Bellafill injections with laser treatments that improve skin texture and pigmentation, dermal fillers to address volume loss in the face, and neuromodulators like Botox® to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. These combined approaches can create a balanced, natural-looking outcome that addresses multiple areas of concern in one treatment plan and achieves an overall more youthful appearance.
Schedule A Consultation
If you’re seeking an effective solution for acne scars, we welcome patients from Philadelphia, Ardmore, and nearby communities to contact us to book a consultation with our skilled injectors. Conveniently located on Pennsylvania’s Main Line, we are here to help you explore Bellafill and develop a personalized treatment plan designed to meet your unique needs.
1 Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Current Concepts in the Use of Bellafill. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26441096/. Accessed September 3, 2024.
2Cleveland Clinic. Dermal Fillers. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22667-dermal-fillers. Accessed September 3, 2024.
Dr. Bucky has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
Page Updated:
