Acne vulgaris is a common, chronic disease, with permanent atrophic scarring as the most common complication. Atrophic scars are managed using fillers, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, microneedling, and peelings; but are often difficult to treat. 

A recent study investigated the synergistic effect of microneedling with the application of trichloroacetic acid, kojic acid, and hydrogen peroxide in treating atrophic acne scars. It assessed the clinical effectiveness and patients′ quality-of-life (HRQoL) after three types of atrophic post-acne scar treatments, i.e., microneedling alone (MN) vs. chemical peeling alone (CP) vs. a combination of microneedling and chemical peeling (MN + CP).

One hundred twenty patients were enrolled in the study and randomized into 3 treatment groups - MN, CP (a combination of trichloroacetic acid, kojic acid, and hydrogen peroxide), and MN + CP. Each patient went through 4 treatment sessions, each 20 days apart. Both pre-and post-treatment clinical status (using the Goodman-Baron [G-B] scale; two expert raters blinded to the treatment used) and patients HRQoL (using the Dermatology Life Quality Index) were evaluated.

A total of 120 patients, with 78.3% females, between the age range of 18 to 45 years were included in the study. Only the MN + CP group showed a substantial improvement according to the G-B scale post-treatment. Patients in all 3 treatment groups experienced a marked improvement in their HRQoL post-treatment.

Thus, a combination of MN and CP delivers the best, objectively estimated effects in managing atrophic post-acne scars. All examined treatments improved the patients′ HRQoL.

Source: Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2021;38(4):629-35.