Optimal treatment options for acne scars in patients with historic acne: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

PeerJ. 2025 Oct 8:13:e19938. doi: 10.7717/peerj.19938. eCollection 2025.

Abstract

Background: Acne is a common skin condition that can cause permanent scarring and profoundly affect patients' quality of life. Despite the increasing diversity of acne scar treatments, there is a dearth of comprehensive evidence-based guidelines to help clinicians and patients make the best choices. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of existing acne scar treatments through a network meta-analysis.

Method: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were thoroughly searched for relevant studies from database establishment to September 19, 2024. Outcome included Echelle d'evaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acne (ECCA), Goodman and Baron Scale (GBS), pain, patient satisfaction, and adverse events. Bayesian network meta-analyses were performed using the gemtc package in R. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB 2) tool, while publication bias was assessed via funnel plots. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024598780).

Results: A total of 68 randomized controlled trials were enrolled, comprising 4,480 patients with acne scarring. Laser + platelet-rich plasma (PRP) ranked best in reducing ECCA scores (surface under cumulative ranking curve to the total area (SUCRA): 98.4%), laser + filler injection ranked best in reducing GBS (SUCRA: 72.1%), and laser + chemical peels ranked the best in patient satisfaction (SUCRA: 89.6%). Microneedling was ranked as the most tolerable in terms of pain (SUCRA: 72.6%). In addition, no strong evidence suggesting a treatment reduced the risk of erythema nor post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation compared to the other treatments.

Conclusions: The evidence suggests laser combined with PRP or filler injections are the best options for reducing scar severity, while laser combined with chemical peeling yields the best patient satisfaction. Laser combined with other therapies should be considered to optimize treatment of acne scarring.

Keywords: Acne scars; Effectiveness; Network meta-analysis; Randomised controlled trial; Therapies.

Publication types

  • Network Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris* / complications
  • Cicatrix* / etiology
  • Cicatrix* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy / methods
  • Network Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic