UPDATES ON ACNE SCAR TREATMENT

Abstract

Acne scars are a common and impactful sequelae on the quality of life of many individuals. They result from a complex inflammatory process that affects the pilosebaceous follicle, leading to the destruction of collagen and the formation of scar tissue. The severity of scars varies according to the intensity of acne and the individual response of each organism. Clinically, scars are classified as atrophic (icepick, boxcar and rolling) and hypertrophic, each requiring specific therapeutic approaches. The psychosocial impact of these marks can be significant, affecting self-esteem and social interaction. Objective: The objective of this systematic literature review was to synthesize the scientific evidence on updates in acne scar treatments, evaluating the efficacy of different therapeutic modalities. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search included articles published in the last 6 years in the Scielo, Pubmed and Google Scholar databases using the following descriptors in English: “acne scars”, “Therapeutics”, and “emerging therapies”. Academic articles dated between 2018 and 2024 were selected. The inclusion criteria included clinical studies that evaluated therapeutic interventions for acne scars, studies in humans and full articles. Studies with other forms of scars, in vitro or animal studies and reviews that did not present original data were excluded. Results: Twelve studies were selected that indicated several therapeutic modalities with proven efficacy. Laser technologies, such as fractional CO2, demonstrated significant improvements in skin texture and reduction in the depth of atrophic scars. Chemical peels, with different acids, also proved effective, mainly for more superficial scars. Filling with hyaluronic acid emerged as an interesting option for scars with loss of volume. The combination of different therapies often yielded superior results compared to the isolated use of a single method. Conclusion: Updates in the treatment of acne scars offer a diverse and promising therapeutic arsenal. The choice of the most appropriate treatment should be individualized, taking into account the type of scar, the patient's characteristics and the professional's expertise. The combination of different therapeutic techniques emerges as an effective strategy to optimize results, providing significant improvements in the appearance of the skin and, consequently, in the quality of life of patients.