Study on the effect of chemical peeling by supramolecular lactic acid in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris

ZHAO Qi; YANG Li; FENG Xiaoyue; LUO Xingyi; WU Yan

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-7040.2026.02.010

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of chemical peeling by supramolecular lactic acid in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.Methods A self-controlled clinical study was conducted on 36 patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.Graded concentrations of supramolecular lactic acid chemical peeling were applied to the facial skin at weeks 0,2,4,6,and 8.Evaluations were performed before each treatment and at the 4-week follow-up after the last treatment(week 12).Assessments included lesion count,Investigator's Static Global Assessment(ISGA)score,skin color measurements(a and L values)to evaluate improvements in acne lesions and sequelae such as post-inflammatory erythema(PIE)and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation(PIH),as well as measurements of skin physiological parameters transepidermal water loss(TEWL),stratum corneum hydration,and sebum secretion rate).Safety was assessed through subjective adverse event evaluations by both subjects and investigators.Results At the primary efficacy time point(week 12,4 weeks after the fifth treatment),the ISGA score showed an effective improvement rate of 44.4%in acne lesions.The effective rate for PIE was 75%,with a significant reduction in a value compared to baseline.The effective rate for PIH was 88.9%,and the L value in the treated ar-eas significantly increased compared to baseline.Comedones improved more rapidly,showing a significant reduction by week 8 compared to baseline(P<0.05).No significant changes were observed in stratum corneum hydration or sebum secretion rate,while TEWL significantly decreased at weeks 8 and 12 compared to baseline,indicating no negative impact on the skin barrier.Most patients tolerated the supramolecular lactic acid chemical peels well,with only one subject reporting immediate significant burning sensation after the week 8 treat-ment,which resolved after cold compress.Conclusion Chemical peels using supramolecular lactic acid effectively improve mild to mod-erate acne vulgaris,particularly comedones,post-inflammatory erythema,and hyperpigmentation,without significantly affecting the skin barrier.The treatment demonstrates high safety and good tolerability.