Pitted acne scars are something no one wants to deal with. They are a noticeable feature on your skin and a constant reminder of the acne that was and may still be there. They may even open up the potential for psychological problems.
With all this in mind, most people with acne scars just want a treatment. Luckily, a potentially effective option exists.
Chemical peels are a possible approach to treating acne scars. So, what is the best chemical peel for acne scars? Find out the answer by reading further.
What Are Chemical Peels?
Before diving into the best chemical peel for acne scars, it is important to understand what chemical peels are and how they work. This makes it easier to highlight the positive features of the best peel out there.
A chemical peel is a type of dermatological procedure. It involves taking a mixture of chemicals and applying them to the skin's surface. These chemicals cause the top layers of the skin to peel away. This results in a fresh, new, and smoother layer of skin to be exposed from underneath.
Many chemical peels are done by a professional in a professional setting. However, doing a professional-strength chemical peel at home is entirely possible. With Perfect Image, you can find products like these to target your acne scars.
Related: Hyperpigmentation Scars Begone: Say Goodbye to Skin Imperfections!
Choosing the Best Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
Not all chemical peels are made the same, and many are designed for different purposes. If you’re looking for one to treat acne scars, there are some things you should keep an eye out for.
These include:
- The skin type they are designed for Chemical peels are designed for different skin types. You should only use a peel that works for your skin. For example, if you have dry skin, you shouldn’t use a peel designed for oily skin. The inverse is true if you have oily skin. You may need to pay particular attention if you have sensitive skin.
- The company making it: Chemical peels are harsh and can contain some intense chemicals. Because of this, you should be careful with them. Only buy a chemical peel from a company you trust. Otherwise, it may not do what you want it to or work as effectively as it should. Or, you could be left with a peel that could harm your skin.
- Price and peel count: Imagine finding two similar chemical peel products, one for $30 and the other for $40. However, upon closer inspection, you discover that the $30 option only contains around ten treatments while the $40 option contains 25. In this case, the $40 option will be a much better choice for the money.
- Ingredients: This factor sets chemical peels for acne scars apart from other chemical peels. Specifically, you want to find peels that contain glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and/or trichloroacetic acid (TCA), as these products are powerful tools in your fight against acne scarring. In addition, lactic acid and mandelic acid are commonly used as well.
- Concentration: When picking a good chemical peel, the concentration of the ingredient matters just as much as the ingredient itself. In lower concentrations, some ingredients will have little or no effect. Meanwhile, higher concentrations often allow the peel to reach deeper into the skin, which is often necessary for treating acne scarring. However, too high of a concentration may be too much for your skin if you have never used a chemical peel before or have sensitive skin.
Best Chemical Peel for Pitted Acne Scars
There are a few great options out there when it comes to chemical peels for pitted acne scars. These include options that use TCA, glycolic acid, and more.
Want to target other skin concerns such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and more? Check out our full selection of at-home chemical peels made from high-quality, effective ingredients.
TCA 15% Skin Peel
Our trichloroacetic acid skin peel contains a 15% concentration of TCA. This chemical in this concentration allows the peel to reach deep within the skin to target blemishes that would otherwise go untouched. It can be used for acne scars or other intense blemishes, like hyperpigmentation and deep wrinkles.
This product is so high on this list because the use of TCA has a track record of success. One study saw a 70% improvement in 73.3% of patients who used TCA. Results like these speak for themselves and demonstrate TCA's effectiveness. A skin peel that primarily emphasizes the power of TCA is a great option for pitted acne scars.
This treatment also uses salicylic acid alongside TCA. This is another great chemical to use in peels that work against acne scarring, so using them together makes this peel more effective.
Related: Chin Acne: What Your Pimples Are Trying to Tell You About Your Face
Glycolic 50% Gel Peel
Glycolic acid is another potential solution for treating acne scars. Our glycolic acid 50% gel peel is another great choice. It is an aggressive approach that manages to go beneath the surface level.
While we have a couple of options for glycolic acid skin peels, the 50% option, one of the more powerful choices, is the best for acne scars. Lower percentages are less intense and, thus, are better suited for surface-level problems. For example, a 10% glycolic acid solution can effectively treat acne and give you a glowing complexion, but will it struggle to dig deep enough to address the scars created by past acne. For something like this, a 50% concentration works better.
Plus, this treatment includes retinol. This gives it even more power in the fight for resurfacing your skin.
Looking for a daily cleanser that can reduce future acne and remove dead skin cells? Try our Salicylic Deep Gel Cleanser for a clarifying and exfoliating clean that your future self will thank you for.
Salicylic 20% Gel Peel
Salicylic acid hits acne scars hard. It works by removing the lipids holding the scarred cells together. Breaking down this lipid barrier allows your body to work toward breaking down the scarred skin.
The best salicylic acid approach is our salicylic 20% gel peel. This uses a high concentration of salicylic acid to reach the deeper levels of the skin, where the scars are located.
This treatment is also effective because it can help prevent future acne. It does this by dissolving skin caught within your pores, allowing those pores to function properly instead of leading to acne. There is also some evidence that salicylic acid can help eliminate bacteria associated with acne production. Doing so is thought to help reduce the amount of acne that would come from that bacteria.
Choosing the Best Chemical Peel for Pitted Acne Scars
Removing pitted acne scars isn’t easy. However, with the best chemical peel for acne scars for you, it is possible. Any of the peels on this list are a great choice. Take a look at each of them and decide which ingredient will work best for you.