After acne breakouts and skin imbalances have subsided, you may be left with dark marks and scars from the experience. Acne scars are an inevitable part of the healing process after a bout of acne, but even as your skin gets healthier, most scars won’t disappear completely.  

Acne scar removal treatments can help you achieve a clear complexion, and chemical peels are one of the simplest solutions for getting rid of acne scars for good.  Superficial, medium and deep peels can help reduce the appearance of scars, remove damaged skin cells from the top layer of the skin, and improve the texture and tone of your skin overall. Chemical peel treatments can also reduce the risk of future acne breakouts and help increase skin’s resilience.  

If you’ve been left with unsightly acne scars after an acne breakout, consider these powerful chemical peels for smoother skin that's free of blemishes and pigmentation:

The Jessner Peel for Acne Scar Removal

The Jessner Peel can be found at many medspas and cosmetic dermatology centers, and is a multi-layered peel that provides deep exfoliation. The Jessner Peel can help remove acne scars, small wrinkles and pigmentation embedded within the skin’s surface, and leaves skin looking smooth and clear within a few days. One of the biggest benefits of the Jessner Peel is the rapid increase in collagen production; the peel is powerful enough to stimulate healthy skin cell production, and will help get rid of acne scars for the long-term.  

Fruit Acid (AHA) Peels for Acne Scar Removal

Fruit acid peels are a milder form of a peel that can help ‘plump’ up the skin to reduce fine lines and give it a smoother appearance. Fruit acid peels are especially effective at getting rid of acne scars, since they can even out the skintone, reduce pigmentation and stimulate the production of fresh skin cells. DermacareUSA.com reports that fruit acid peels are also an ideal ‘lunch hour’ peel; they are not painful, and can leave skin looking glowing and radiant immediately after the treatment.  

Betahydroxy Acid (BHA) Peels for Acne Scar Removal

These are the lightest types of peels, and may include a combination of glycolic acid, lactic acid, fruit acids and salicylic acid in a different ratio than the AHA peel; these also penetrate the skin and burn off the outer layer. BHA peels are ideal for light scarring and blemishes from acne, since they can buff away dead skin cells and brighten up the complexion. If you have acne-prone skin that is still breaking out occasionally, a Betahydroxy Acid peel may be the best choice for you.  

Medium-Strength Peels for Acne Scar Removal

Medium-strength peels are typically made with tricholoractic acid (TCA), an ingredient that provides deep exfoliation and sloughs away dead skin cells. TCA is the key ingredient used in the Obagi skin care system, and can help kill bacteria that may be triggering underlying acne, and also keep the skin looking clear and smooth. If you’re looking for a multi-purpose chemical peel to treat acne and get rid of superficial scars, a powerful TCA peel may be your best choice.  

Chemical peel treatments can be combined with other skin rejuvenation procedures such as microdermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing for even better results. A series of chemical peels spaced apart over a period of a few months is the best way to achieve long-lasting results and help keep the skin healthy and resilient as it rebuilds collagen.  

Learn more about chemical peels and acne scar removal treatments in our information guide, or consult with a dermatologist in your area to find out which chemical peel treatment plan will be the best match for you.