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

Chitosan, a cationic polysaccharide, shows promise in aesthetic dermatology for skin barrier support, post-procedure recovery, acne, pigmentary disorders, and scalp applications. Clinical studies indicate that chitosan hydrogels aid recovery after laser treatments and enhance the performance of topical actives like nicotinamide in acne and melasma. In scalp applications, microneedling with topical chitosan improved hair density similarly to minoxidil in small studies. Despite its potential, the variability in formulations and small study sizes limit the generalizability of these findings, highlighting the need for larger, standardized clinical trials to better define chitosan's role in aesthetic practices.