Can glycolic acid peels remove acne marks?

A recently emerging skincare method is glycolic acid (GA) chemical peeling. Many people may wonder: Can GA peeling effectively remove acne marks? The details are as follows:

GA peeling works well for reducing red post-acne marks (erythematous marks) and hyperpigmented (brown or black) acne marks. However, it is less effective for atrophic (depressed) acne scars or hypertrophic (raised) nodules.

Results from GA peeling are not immediate after a single session; the treatment plan must be tailored to individual skin type and condition. Therefore, the specific GA-based acne treatment regimen varies from person to person. Typically, a full course consists of 4–6 sessions, each lasting approximately 30 minutes, with treatments spaced about every 2–3 weeks. The peeling solution is customized by adjusting the GA concentration to suit the patient’s needs. Your aesthetician will determine the optimal protocol. Generally, a complete course comprises five sessions, with intervals of 7–10 days between treatments. Concurrently, home-care products should be used under medical supervision. If a second course is required, it should begin approximately two months after completion of the first.

Different GA concentrations produce varying degrees of effect on the skin. For instance, low-concentration GA can improve fine facial wrinkles, soften deeper wrinkles, penetrate sebaceous glands to provide deep skin cleansing, suppress sebum production, promote epidermal cell renewal, and accelerate skin metabolism—thereby helping to treat acne.