A systematic review of the efficacy of chemical peeling in active acne and acne scars
Keywords:
Acne, Acne scars, Chemical peel, Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acidAbstract
Chemical peeling is a widely used dermatological procedure for managing acne and acne scars. This article evaluates existing studies on the efficacy and safety of chemical peels in treating active acne and post-acne scarring. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed and other databases for clinical trials from 2000 to 2025 using the keywords “chemical peels, acne, acne scars.” A total of 18 studies were identified, out of which 10 prospective clinical trials were included. Studies involving animal models or other facial dermatoses and those without prospective clinical trials were excluded. The results of the reviewed studies suggest that chemical peels are a safe and effective treatment option for acne and post-acne scars. Different types of peels, including glycolic acid, salicylic-mandelic acid, Jessner’s solution, lactic acid, and trichloroacetic acid, have demonstrated varying degrees of success in reducing active acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and superficial scarring. Combination therapies and higher-concentration peels show promise for deeper scars, though they require careful application to minimize adverse effects such as erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
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