Advances in Dermatology and Allergology
eISSN: 2299-0046
ISSN: 1642-395X
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii
Current Issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Editorial board Reviewers Abstracting and indexing Subscription Contact Instructions for authors Publication charge Ethical standards and procedures
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
Search
Editorial Policies
Sarajevo Declaration on Integrity and Visibility of Scholarly Publications
Share:
Send email
Share:
Review paper

Chemical peeling in combination with microneedling versus chemical peeling or microneedling monotherapy in the treatment of acne scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Julia Woźna
1, 2
,
Andrzej Bałoniak
3
,
Jan Stępka
3
,
Aleksandra Dańczak-Pazdrowska
1
,
Adriana Polańska
1
,
Ewa Mojs
4
,
Ryszard Żaba
1

  1. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
  2. Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
  3. Clinical Hospital of the Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
  4. Department of Clinical Psychology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Adv Dermatol Allergol
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ada.2025.154436
Online publish date: 2025/09/17
Article file
- Chemical peeling.pdf  [0.44 MB]
Get citation
 
 
1. Xu W, Xu J, Huang D, et al. Acne vulgaris: advances in pathogenesis and prevention strategies. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2025; 44: 515-32.
2. Niemeier V, Kupfer J, Gieler U. Acne vulgaris: psychosomatic aspects. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2006; 4: 1027-36.
3. Layton AM, Thiboutot D, Tan J. Reviewing the global burden of acne: how could we improve care to reduce the burden? Br J Dermatol 2021; 184: 219-25.
4. Yan C, Phinyo P, Yogya Y, et al. Risk factors associated with facial acne scarring in thai patients with acne: a cross-sectional study. J Cosmet Dermatol 2025; 24: e16695.
5. Tan J, Beissert S, Cook-Bolden F, et al. Impact of facial atrophic acne scars on quality of life: a multi-country population-based survey. Am J Clin Dermatol 2022; 23: 115-23.
6. Liu L, Xue Y, Chen Y, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of acne scars in patients with acne vulgaris. Skin Res Technol 2023; 29: e13386.
7. Chilicka K, Rusztowicz M, Szyguła R, et al. Methods for the improvement of acne scars used in dermatology and cosmetology: a review. J Clin Med 2022; 11: 2744.
8. Kontochristopoulos G, Platsidaki E. Chemical peels in active acne and acne scars. Clin Dermatol 2017; 35: 179-82.
9. Alster TS, Graham PM. Microneedling: a review and practical guide. Dermatol Surg 2018; 44: 397-404.
10. Sitohang IBS, Sirait SAP, Suryanegara J. Microneedling in the treatment of atrophic scars: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Int Wound J 2021; 18: 577-85.
11. Măgerușan Șoimița E, Hancu G, Rusu A. Current understanding of microneedling procedures for acne skin: a narrative review. Cosmetics 2024; 11: 193.
12. Kang C, Lu D. Combined effect of microneedling and platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of acne scars: a meta-analysis. Front Med 2022; 8: 788754.
13. Shen YC, Chiu WK, Kang YN, et al. Microneedling monotherapy for acne scar: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2022; 46: 1913-22.
14. El-Domyati M, Abdel-Wahab H, Hossam A. Microneedling combined with platelet-rich plasma or trichloroacetic acid peeling for management of acne scarring: a split-face clinical and histologic comparison. J Cosmet Dermatol 2018; 17: 73-83.
15. Ali B, ElMahdy N, Elfar NN. Microneedling (Dermapen) and Jessner’s solution peeling in treatment of atrophic acne scars: a comparative randomized clinical study. J Cosmet Laser Ther 2019; 21: 357-63.
16. Pakla-Misiur A, Grochowiec M, Lesiak A, et al. Double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing the use of microneedling alone versus chemical peeling alone versus a combination of microneedling and chemical peeling in the treatment of atrophic post-acne scars. An assessment of clinical effectiveness and patients’ quality-of-life. Adv Dermatol Allergol 2021; 38: 629-35.
17. Saadawi AN, Esawy AM, Kandeel AH, et al. Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: comparative study. J Cosmet Dermatol 2019; 18: 107-14.
18. Memon Q, Rasheed S, Hafeez A, et al. The comparison of treatment efficacy and outcomes of microneedling and glycolic acid peels for acne scar. Pak J Med Health Sci 2022; 16: 390-2.
19. Leheta TM, Abdel Hay RM, El Garem YF. Deep peeling using phenol versus percutaneous collagen induction combined with trichloroacetic acid 20% in atrophic post-acne scars; a randomized controlled trial. J Dermatolog Treat 2014; 25: 130-6.
20. Rana S, Mendiratta V, Chander R. Efficacy of microneedling with 70% glycolic acid peel vs microneedling alone in treatment of atrophic acne scars – a randomized controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol 2017; 16: 454-59.
21. Shahbano, Batool S, Tariq H, Asad F, Aman S. Comparison of effectiveness and safety of 35% glycolic acid peel with microneedling versus glycolic acid peel alone in the management of acne scars. J Pak Assoc Dermatol 2023; 33: 608-13.
22. Sharad J. Combination of microneedling and glycolic acid peels for the treatment of acne scars in dark skin. J Cosmet Dermatol 2011; 10: 317-23.
23. Rullan PP, Olson R, Lee KC. A combination approach to treating acne scars in all skin types: carbolic chemical reconstruction of skin scars, blunt bi-level cannula subcision, and microneedling-a case series. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2020; 13: 19-23.
24. Li H, Jia B, Zhang X. Comparing the efficacy and safety of microneedling and its combination with other treatments in patients with acne scars: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Dermatol Res 2024; 316: 505.
25. Lee WJ, Jung HJ, Lim HJ, et al. Serial sections of atrophic acne scars help in the interpretation of microscopic findings and the selection of good therapeutic modalities. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2013; 27: 643-6.
26. Mahajan S, Sawant NS, Mahajan S. Depression, body image and quality of life in acne scars. Ind Psychiatry J 2023; 32: 282-7.
27. Ziebart RL, Antezana LA, Crum OM, et al. Laser and energy treatments for acne scarring: a review of clinical trials. J Drugs Dermatol 2024; 23: 1058-62.
28. Mohammadi AH, Seirafianpour F, Khosravi M, et al. A systematic review of comparative clinical trials on the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of ablative and non-ablative laser therapies for atrophic, hypertrophic, and keloid scars. Lasers Med Sci 2025; 40: 280.
29. Ruixing Y, Wenmin F, Yong C. Evaluation of 1565-nm nonabrasive fractional laser efficacy on atrophic facial acne scars in Chinese population using 22-MHz digital ultrasonography. J Cosmet Laser Ther 2025; 27: 71-6.
30. Qoreishi SH, Gholizadeh N, Rokni GR, et al. Advancements in acne scar treatment: exploring novel therapies. J Cosmet Dermatol 2025; 24: e70183.
31. Ptaszek B, Czernecka M, Podsiadło S. The use of a fractional laser in acne scar treatment-a systematic review. Life (Basel) 2025; 15: 915.
32. Ke R, Cai B, Ni X, et al. Efficacy and safety of non-ablative vs. ablative lasers for acne scarring: a meta-analysis. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2025; 23: 425-36.
33. Salameh F, Shumaker PR, Goodman GJ, et al. Energy-based devices for the treatment of acne scars: 2022 International consensus recommendations. Lasers Surg Med 2022; 54: 10-26.
34. Abdin R, Gaumond SI, Yaghi M, et al. Utility of adding platelet-rich plasma to microneedling vs microneedling alone in the treatment of acne scarring. J Drugs Dermatol 2025; 24: 41-6.
35. Vempati A, Zhou C, Tam C, et al. Subcision for atrophic acne scarring: a comprehensive review of surgical instruments and combinatorial treatments. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2023; 16: 125-34.
36. Hema, Jindal A, Bala R, et al. A review on recent advances and challenges of microneedle technology for enhanced topical treatment of skin disorders. Arch Dermatol Res 2025; 317: 706.
37. Zeitter S, Sikora Z, Jahn S, et al. Microneedling: matching the results of medical needling and repetitive treatments to maximize potential for skin regeneration. Burns 2014; 40: 966-73.
38. O’Connor AA, Lowe PM, Shumack S, et al. Chemical peels: a review of current practice. Australas J Dermatol 2018; 59: 171-81.
39. Zakopoulou N, Kontochristopoulos G. Superficial chemical peels. J Cosmet Dermatol 2006; 5: 246-53.
40. Puri N. Efficacy of modified jessner’s peel and 20% TCA versus 20% TCA peel alone for the treatment of acne scars. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2015; 8: 42-5.
41. Manjhi M, Sagar V, Yadav P, et al. A comparative study of 70% glycolic acid and 30% trichloroacetic acid peel in the treatment of facial atrophic acne scars: a split-face study. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2024; 17: 227-33.
42. Castillo DE, Keri JE. Chemical peels in the treatment of acne: patient selection and perspectives. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2018; 11: 365-72.
Copyright: © 2025 Termedia Sp. z o. o. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.
Termedia
About us Contact
Copyright notice Privacy policy Advertising policy Contact us
Quick links
Journals Books eBooks Events
© 2025 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.