Efficacy of Microneedling Combined with 30% Salicylic Acid Peel Versus Microneedling Alone in the Treatment of Post Acne Scar: A Clinical Trial

Background and objective: Acne scarring is a common problem with several treatment options available including microneedling, chemical peels and lasers. This study compares the efficacy of microneedling combined with 30% salicylic acid peel versus micro needling alone in the treatment of post acne scar. Methods: This was a clinical trial in which 40 patients with acne scar were randomly assigned to either first group who underwent microneedling at weeks 0,4,8,12 followed by 30% salicylic acid peel at weeks 2,6,10,14 and Second group who underwent microneedling alone at weeks 0,4,8,12. The duration of the study was 6 months from October 2023. Samples were selected from the Dermatology Teaching Center in Sulaymaniyah City, Iraq. The severity and types of acne scars and the adverse effects of microneedling and 30% salicylic acid peel were also measured. Results: The mean Baron and Goodman’s score before treatment in treatment group was 13.30±7.183 and after treatment was equal to 7.84±7.480. The decrease in the score in this group shows a good effect of combined microneedling and salicylic acid peel (P?0.001). The mean score in control group before the intervention was 11.35±4.880 and after the treatment decreased to 9.05±5.404 and this decrease in the score indicated effectiveness of microneedling (P?0.001). Conclusion: Both groups benefited from the treatments but the improvement in the combination group of microneedling with 30% salicylic acid peeling was greater compared to microneedling alone as evidenced by 6 degrees decrease in the score while treatment group had 2 points decrease in the score, indicating the better effect of this combination treatment method.