Glycolic Acid Treatment Duration
For glycolic acid peels used to treat acne vulgaris and acne scars, the recommended treatment duration is 4-6 months with applications once every 15 days. 1
Treatment Protocol for Chemical Peels
The American Academy of Dermatology provides clear guidance on glycolic acid peel duration based on the indication:
- Standard treatment course: Peels should be performed once every 15 days (biweekly) for a total duration of 4-6 months 1, 2
- Minimum number of treatments: At least 6 peel sessions with 70% concentration are necessary to obtain evident improvement in atrophic acne scars 3
Application Time Per Session
The contact time during each peel session varies by concentration and desired depth 1, 2:
- Very superficial peels: 30-50% glycolic acid applied for 1-2 minutes 1, 2
- Superficial peels: 50-70% glycolic acid applied for 2-5 minutes 1, 2
- Medium-depth peels: 70% glycolic acid applied for 3-15 minutes 1, 2
Home-Use Products vs. Clinical Peels
It is critical to distinguish between clinical peel protocols and home-use maintenance products, as they serve entirely different purposes and have different duration recommendations. 2
Home-Use Formulations (7-15% concentration)
- Daily application: Home-use products at 7-15% concentration are designed for ongoing daily maintenance 2, 4
- Application timing: Apply in the morning with mandatory broad-spectrum sunscreen 2, 4
- Duration: Can be used continuously for long-term maintenance after completing the clinical peel series 2, 3
- FDA-labeled products: Topical pads may be used one to three times daily, starting with once daily and gradually increasing as tolerated 5
Long-term daily use of low-strength glycolic acid (15%) showed beneficial effects on acne scars over 24 weeks, though repeated 70% peels provided superior results 3
Critical Safety Considerations
Absolute Contraindications
The American Academy of Dermatology identifies the following as absolute contraindications 1, 2:
- Isotretinoin therapy within the last 6 months (this applies to clinical peels, not 7% home-use solutions) 1, 2, 4
- Active infection or open wounds (herpes simplex, excoriations, open acne cysts) 1, 2
- Lack of psychological stability or unrealistic expectations 1, 2
- Poor general health and nutritional status 1, 2
Monitoring for Adverse Effects
Throughout the 4-6 month treatment course, monitor for 1, 2:
- Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (primary concern) 1, 2
- Erosive blisters and potential scarring 1, 2
- With home-use products: dry skin, peeling, erythema, and burning sensation 4
Maintenance After Initial Treatment Course
After completing the 4-6 month peel series, results are maintained with serial peels performed less frequently and continued at-home use of low-strength glycolic acid or tretinoin, combined with strict sun avoidance. 6
The combination of biweekly clinical peels for 4-6 months followed by ongoing home maintenance with low-strength formulations provides the optimal balance between efficacy and tolerability for most patients with acne and acne scarring 3