Autologous Fat Grafting for Mixed-Type Atrophic Acne Scars: A Case Report in Female
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59784/glosains.v7i2.708Keywords:
autologous fat transfer, atrophic acne scars, Microfat and NanofatAbstract
Background: Acne scars are a clinically prevalent and psychologically significant sequela of acne vulgaris, affecting up to 95% of patients and associated with reduced quality of life, social withdrawal, and diminished self-esteem. Despite decades of research, evidence for fat grafting in mixed-type atrophic acne scars remains limited to small case series.
Objective: This case report aims to evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of autologous fat grafting in a 37-year-old female with Goodman and Baron Grade IV mixed-type atrophic acne scars.
Methods: This case study identified a 37-year-old female with atrophic acne scars. The tumescent technique was utilized to harvest fat from her abdomen, which was processed into microfat and nanofat using the Lipocube® NanoKit-5 and then injected subcutaneously and applied topically to the patient’s face. The efficacy of the procedures was assessed during different follow-up visits, with an emphasis on scar reduction and dermal regeneration.
Results: A significant reduction in edema was clinically observed on Day 4 post-procedure. As this was a single case with a 4-day observation period, no statistical analysis was performed. Descriptive assessment tools were used at baseline and will be repeated at scheduled follow-up visits.
Conclusion: Autologous fat transfer using microfat and nanofat is a promising preliminary therapy for atrophic acne scars. It provides cosmetic improvement with low morbidity. However, longer-term evaluation is needed to establish its efficacy. Future studies with larger cohorts and standardized multi-timepoint assessments are warranted to establish the role of this technique in standard dermatological practice.
References
Adamski, Z., Gornowicz-Porowska, J., Sobkowska, D., Kaszuba, K., & Czajkowski, R. (2021). Acne–therapeutic challenges to the cooperation between a dermatologist and a cosmetologist. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii, 38(1), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.5114/ada.2021.104273
Bainbridge, P. (2013). Wound healing and the role of fibroblasts. Journal of Wound Care, 22(8). https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2013.22.8.407
Behrangi, E., Moradi, S., Ghassemi, M., Goodarzi, A., Hanifnia, A., Zare, S., Nouri, M., Dehghani, A., Seifadini, A., & Nilforoushzadeh, M. A. (2022). The investigation of the efficacy and safety of stromal vascular fraction in the treatment of nanofat-treated acne scar: a randomized blinded controlled clinical trial. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 13(1), 298. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-022-02957-2
Bhooshan, L. S., Devi, M. G., Aniraj, R., Binod, P., & Lekshmi, M. (2018). Autologous emulsified fat injection for rejuvenation of scars: a prospective observational study. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 51(01), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijps.IJPS_92_17
Brodell, L. A., Hepper, D., Lind, A., Gru, A. A., & Anadkat, M. J. (2013). Histopathology of acneiform eruptions in patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, 40(10), 865–870. https://doi.org/10.1111/cup.12207
Cohen, S. R., Womack, H., & Ghanem, A. (2020). Fat grafting for facial rejuvenation through injectable tissue replacement and regeneration: a differential, standardized, anatomic approach. Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 47(1), 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2019.08.001
Cong, T.-X., Hao, D., Wen, X., Li, X.-H., He, G., & Jiang, X. (2019). From pathogenesis of acne vulgaris to anti-acne agents. Archives of Dermatological Research, 311, 337–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-019-01908-x
Dreno, B., Gollnick, H. P. M., Kang, S., Thiboutot, D., Bettoli, V., Torres, V., Leyden, J., & Acne, G. A. to I. O. in. (2015). Understanding innate immunity and inflammation in acne: implications for management. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 29, 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13190
Dulmovits, B. M., & Herman, I. M. (2012). Microvascular remodeling and wound healing: a role for pericytes. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 44(11), 1800–1812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2012.06.031
Elsamongy, M., Ayad, H., Eid, M., Gheida, S., & Abdel-Latif, A. (2020). The Efficacy of Autologous Nanofat Versus Enhanced Nanofat with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Transfers in the Treatment of Atrophic Post Acne Scars. J Advan Med and Med Res, 32, 17–31.
Fabbrocini, G., Annunziata, M. C., D′ Arco, V., De Vita, V., Lodi, G., Mauriello, M. C., Pastore, F., & Monfrecola, G. (2010). Acne scars: pathogenesis, classification and treatment. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2010(1), 893080. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/893080
Gheisari, M., Ahmadzadeh, A., Nobari, N., Iranmanesh, B., & Mozafari, N. (2018). Autologous fat grafting in the treatment of facial scleroderma. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2018(1), 6568016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6568016
Gonzalez, A. C. de O., Costa, T. F., Andrade, Z. de A., & Medrado, A. R. A. P. (2016). Wound healing-A literature review. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 91(5), 614–620. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20164741
Goodarzi, A., Behrangi, E., Ghassemi, M., Nobari, N. N., Sadeghzadeh-Bazargan, A., & Roohaninasab, M. (2020). Acne scar; a review of classification and treatment. J Crit Rev, 7(5), 815–823. https://doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.05.154
Goodman, G. J., & Baron, J. A. (2006). Postacne scarring: a qualitative global scarring grading system. Dermatologic Surgery, 32(12), 1458–1466. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2006.32354.x
Moon, J., Yoon, J. Y., Yang, J. H., Kwon, H. H., Min, S., & Suh, D. H. (2019). Atrophic acne scar: a process from altered metabolism of elastic fibres and collagen fibres based on transforming growth factor‐β1 signalling. British Journal of Dermatology, 181(6), 1226–1237. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.17880
Powers, J. G., Higham, C., Broussard, K., & Phillips, T. J. (2016). Wound healing and treating wounds: Chronic wound care and management. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 74(4), 607–625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.08.070
Prasad, S. B. (2016). Acne vulgaris: A review on pathophysiology and treatment. Asian J Pharm Clin Res, 9(4), 54–59. https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9i4.14874
Riyat, H., Touil, L. L., Briggs, M., & Shokrollahi, K. (2017). Autologous fat grafting for scars, healing and pain: a review. Scars, Burns & Healing, 3, 2059513117728200. https://doi.org/10.1177/2059513117728200
Say, Y.-H., Heng, A. H. S., Reginald, K., Wong, Y. R., Teh, K. F., Rawanan Shah, S. M., Sio, Y. Y., Ng, Y. T., Matta, S. A., & Pang, S. L. (2021). Modifiable and non-modifiable epidemiological risk factors for acne, acne severity and acne scarring among Malaysian Chinese: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 21, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10656-5
Shih, L., Davis, M. J., & Winocour, S. J. (2020). The science of fat grafting. Seminars in Plastic Surgery, 34(01), 5–10. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-3402468
Sinaga, F. (2020). Gambaran Pemakaian Kosmetik Pada Pasien Akne Vulgaris Di Poliklinik Kulit Dan Kelamin Rsu Royal Prima Dan Murni Teguh Memorial Hospital Kota Medan.
Soliman, Y. S., Horowitz, R., Hashim, P. W., Nia, J. K., Farberg, A. S., & Goldenberg, G. (2018). Update on acne scar treatment. Cutis, 102(1), 21.
Strong, A. L., Cederna, P. S., Rubin, J. P., Coleman, S. R., & Levi, B. (2015). The current state of fat grafting: a review of harvesting, processing, and injection techniques. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 136(4), 897–912. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000001590
Tan, J., Thiboutot, D., Gollnick, H., Kang, S., Layton, A., Leyden, J. J., Torres, V., Guillemot, J., & Dréno, B. (2017). Development of an atrophic acne scar risk assessment tool. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 31(9), 1547–1554. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14325
Taylor, M., Gonzalez, M., & Porter, R. (2011). Pathways to inflammation: acne pathophysiology. European Journal of Dermatology, 21(3), 323–333. https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2011.1350
Tiryaki, T., Condé-Green, A., Cohen, S. R., Canikyan, S., & Kocak, P. (2020). A 3-step mechanical digestion method to harvest adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery–Global Open, 8(2), e2652. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002652
Uyulmaz, S., Sanchez Macedo, N., Rezaeian, F., Giovanoli, P., & Lindenblatt, N. (2018). Nanofat grafting for scar treatment and skin quality improvement. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 38(4), 421–428. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx141
Wasitaatmadja, S. M., Arimuko, A., Norawati, L., Bernadette, I., & Legiawati, L. (2015). Pedoman tata laksana akne di Indonesia. Indonesian Acne Expert Meeting, 1–14.
Xie, Y., Huang, R.-L., Wang, W., Cheng, C., & Li, Q. (2020). Fat grafting for facial contouring (temporal region and midface). Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 47(1), 81–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2019.08.006
Yu, Q., Cai, Y., Huang, H., Wang, Z., Xu, P., Wang, X., Zhang, L., Zhang, W., & Li, W. (2018). Co-transplantation of nanofat enhances neovascularization and fat graft survival in nude mice. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 38(6), 667–675. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx186
Zaleski-Larsen, L. A., Fabi, S. G., McGraw, T., & Taylor, M. (2016). Acne scar treatment: a multimodality approach tailored to scar type. Dermatologic Surgery, 42, S139–S149.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 I Gusti Nyoman Darmaputra, Putu Akopita Devi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-SA). that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.



