A cutter element for a fixed cutter drill bit has a central axis and includes a cylindrical substrate and a cutting layer mounted to the substrate. The cutting layer includes a first end engaged with the substrate, a second end opposite the first end, and a radially outer surface extending axially between the first and second ends. In addition, the cutting layer includes a cutting surface positioned at the second end and a cutting tip positioned between the cutting surface and the radially outer surface. Further, the cutting layer includes a first region on the cutting surface having a first surface roughness, and a second region on the cutting surface having a second surface roughness that is higher than the first surface roughness. The second region covers the central axis along the cutting surface, and the first region extends from the second region to the cutting tip.