Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Laser versus Chemical Skin Peeling in Skin Rejuvenation: A Systematic…

Meta-analysisPlastic and reconstructive surgery· Aug 2026

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Laser versus Chemical Skin Peeling in Skin Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

George Karanasios, Zhen Yu Wong, Shradha Limbu … Afshin Mosahebi

Cosmetic & AestheticMeta-analysisTreatmentQ1IF 2.8

Laser resurfacing needed fewer treatment sessions than chemical peeling on average

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Laser versus Chemical Skin Peeling in Skin Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

George Karanasios … Afshin Mosahebi

Plastic and reconstructive surgery · Aug 2026

Background

Laser resurfacing and chemical peeling represent 2 widely practiced skin rejuvenation techniques, each with distinct mechanisms and risk profiles.

Methods

Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, the authors searched major databases through October of 2024 for studies directly comparing laser treatments and chemical peels.

n = 1695 patients

Results

laser resurfacing needs fewer sessions than chemical peeling to finish treatment

SMD 1.53 (95% CI 0.57 to 2.50)

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

Both modalities achieved significant improvement over baseline.

Overall efficacy was comparable between lasers and peels (standardized mean difference [SMD], 1.53 [95% CI, 0.57 to 2.50]).

More results

Laser treatment was more effective for melasma (SMD, 1.53 [95% CI, 0.57, 2.50]); chemical peeling was superior in psoriasis (SMD, -4.30 [95% CI, -6.84, -1.76]).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Both laser resurfacing and chemical peeling are effective for skin rejuvenation. Lasers may offer advantages in melasma and require fewer sessions, but with more short-term redness and discomfort.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Chemical peels remain valuable, especially for certain conditions (eg, psoriasis) and in patients prioritizing minimal downtime. Treatment choice should be individualized on the basis of skin type, condition, and tolerance for side effects.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Laser versus Chemical Skin Peeling in Skin Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Laser versus Chemical Skin Peeling in Skin Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

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