Can fruit acid peeling remove acne scars?
Disease description:
I am 21 years old. I used to have acne, which left me with acne scars on my face. I've heard that medical aesthetics treatments are very effective, and I would like to know whether chemical peeling with fruit acids can remove acne scars.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wenmin
In general, chemical peeling with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can improve mild acne scars to some extent, but its effectiveness is limited for deeper scars.
AHA chemical peeling involves applying high-concentration AHA to accelerate the shedding of the skin's stratum corneum, enhance the turnover rate of keratinocytes and some superficial epidermal cells, and promote the proliferation of elastic fibers in the dermis, thereby improving skin texture. Regarding acne scars, for those that are relatively shallow and recently formed, AHA peeling can stimulate the skin's repair mechanisms, encouraging the surrounding skin tissue to regenerate and reorganize, thus potentially reducing the depth of the scar.
However, if acne scars are caused by severe inflammatory acne that has damaged the dermal collagen and elastic fibers, resulting in deep depressions, AHA peeling often fails to achieve satisfactory filling and repair effects. This is because AHAs mainly affect the epidermis and upper dermis, whereas deeper acne scars require more intensive stimulation and repair techniques, such as fractional laser therapy, which directly targets dermal collagen to promote its regeneration and remodeling, or microneedling treatments. These methods may yield more noticeable improvements for deeper acne scars.
Prior to undergoing AHA chemical peeling, it is advisable to consult a qualified dermatologist who can develop a personalized treatment plan based on your individual skin condition. Additionally, proper post-treatment skincare is crucial and includes using sunscreen, avoiding irritating skincare products, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits to sustain the treatment outcomes.
