Can fruit acid peeling remove acne scars?

Mar 17, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I am 21 years old. I used to have acne during high school, which left some acne scars. I would like to know whether glycolic acid peels can help remove acne scars.

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Lu

In general, chemical peeling with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can be somewhat effective in reducing acne scars, although the specific results vary from person to person, and not all acne scars can be completely removed through AHA peeling alone.

AHA chemical peeling is a treatment method that utilizes high-concentration fruit acids applied to the skin to promote the shedding of aged keratinocytes and accelerate the renewal rate of keratinocytes and epidermal cells. During this process, AHA peeling can stimulate the proliferation of elastic fibers in the dermis, effectively reducing relatively shallow atrophic acne scars. Additionally, AHAs can also promote fibroblast proliferation and rearrangement of collagen fibers in the dermis, helping improve the appearance of acne scars.

AHA peeling can promote epidermal regeneration, making the skin surface smoother and offering good improvement for superficial acne scars. However, for deeper acne scars, AHA peeling alone may have limited effectiveness, and combination with other treatment methods, such as microneedling, laser therapy, radiofrequency, or filler injections, may be necessary to achieve better scar repair.

When undergoing AHA chemical peeling treatment, it is recommended to choose a reputable medical facility. The physician will select the appropriate AHA concentration and treatment plan according to the patient's skin condition and needs. During the treatment process, patients must strictly follow the doctor's instructions, take care to protect the skin, avoid direct sunlight exposure, and refrain from using irritating cosmetics.