Chitosan in Aesthetic Practice: A Clinical Narrative Review of Skin, Scar, and Scalp Applications

    May 2026 in “ JPRAS Open ”
    Olena Sydorchuk, Won Seok Choi, Ji Yeoun Shin, Luciano A. Lanfranchi, Kuzma Кhobzei, Ayaka Nishikawa, Tetiana Melnychuk, Kyu-Ho Yi
    From the encyclopedia
    Microneedling →

    technique to create small wounds in skin to activate collagen production and hair growth

    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

    nicotinamide →
    Studysummary In this study, chitosan hydrogels and delivery systems showed promise in supporting skin recovery post-laser procedures, enhancing topical treatments for acne and melasma, and improving hair density in scalp applications, but limited study sizes and formulation variability restrict generalizability. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    Chitosan, a cationic polysaccharide, is gaining attention in aesthetic dermatology for its film-forming, bioadhesive, antimicrobial, and wound-modulating properties. It shows promise in post-procedural recovery, acne management, melasma treatment, and scalp applications. In a study with 30 participants, microneedling-assisted topical 2% chitosan improved hair density comparably to 5% minoxidil, though larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. Despite its potential, the variability in formulations and limited study sizes restrict the generalizability of results, necessitating larger, standardized clinical trials to better define chitosan's role in aesthetic protocols.
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