Publication:

Indian dermatological experts’ consensus on topical peptides for revising acne scars: IDEAL 2025

Acne scars are the common and one of the challenging conditions to treat that are often encountered at dermatologist’s clinic. Peptides in cosmetics have gained popularity due to their potential benefits in promoting skin health and anti-aging properties. These small protein fragments can help stimulate collagen production, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and improve overall skin elasticity. When incorporated into skincare products, peptides work by sending signals to the skin cells, encouraging them to function optimally and maintain a youthful appearance. However, it is essential to choose products from reputable brands, as the efficacy of topical peptides can vary significantly among different formulations. This article discusses the potential role of topical peptides in acne scar management. Experts group meeting was conducted across the four zones and faculty part of acne scar forum discussed the role of peptides along with evidence-based data sharing on peptides was done. Following the meeting the dermatologist were asked to share their opinion and insights on using peptides in their practice and the data was captured to better understand the product. It was found that dermatologists believed that Peptides are valuable topical agents that can be beneficial in various scenarios where it can be utilized as home-based treatment or an adjutant to the various office-based treatment to expedite overall treatment outcome. Since peptides do not irritate or dry up the skin like other topical medicines do, most doctors believed they have an advantage over them.