Chemabrasion is the use of chemicals on the skin to treat acne. This is also called a chemical peel. Trichloroacetic acid and glycolic acid are two chemicals that cause peeling when applied to skin. Chemabrasion works by peeling away scars left by severe acne. Deep scars may not completely go away, but they may be less deep.

After chemabrasion, a person's skin may be red and swollen. As soon as the skin heals, a second treatment is done if needed.

For more information on this surgery, see the topic Chemical Peel.