Building Tolerance & Strengths
FOR AHA SKIN PEELS INCLUDING GLYCOLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID AND COMBINATION PEELS
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Yes. Start with 10% for two weeks, then 15% for two weeks, before moving to 20% for six weeks. This builds skin tolerance safely.
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Chemical peels are powerful treatments, and your skin needs time to adjust to their acidic pH. Tolerance building avoids shocking the skin, which could otherwise cause inflammation, breakouts, or long-term damage. By increasing strength slowly, you’re teaching your skin to respond positively while preventing unnecessary side effects. It’s better to take time and protect your skin than to rush and risk permanent harm.
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The 12-week plan allows your skin to build resilience gradually: starting with 10%, moving to 15%, and finally to 20%. This phased approach ensures your skin adapts in a controlled way, reducing the risk of irritation. Even if results seem slow, this method gives your skin the best chance to improve texture, tone, and clarity without unnecessary damage. Safe, consistent progress always outperforms rushed results.
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Building tolerance allows your skin to gradually adjust to the acidic nature of glycolic and lactic acid peels. Starting with a lower percentage (such as 10%) gives your skin time to adapt without overwhelming it. Jumping straight to a high percentage can lead to irritation, chemical burns, scarring, or hyperpigmentation. By slowly working up, you minimise risks and give your skin the safest path to visible, long-lasting results.
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Skipping tolerance building rarely leads to faster results. Instead, it often causes irritation, breakouts, or lasting damage that delays your progress. By following the gradual approach, you’ll see steady, safe improvements that last — making the process more effective in the long term.
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By starting lower, you give your skin the chance to strengthen its natural barrier and adapt to the peel process. This means when you do move on to stronger concentrations, your skin can handle them safely and respond more effectively. Rushing to higher strengths may cause damage that sets you back, while a slower, tolerance-based approach creates healthier skin and more visible improvements over time.
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Lower-strength peels (such as 10%) allow your skin to gradually adjust to the acids without overwhelming it. They act as a safe introduction, helping you build tolerance over time. If you skip this stage and begin with a higher strength, you increase the risk of chemical burns, scarring, or pigmentation issues.
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No — skipping lower strengths is never recommended. Stronger peels penetrate deeper and can be too harsh if your skin hasn’t had time to adapt. While it may feel tempting to “fast-track” your results, in reality, you’ll increase the chance of burns, scars, or uneven pigmentation. Building tolerance ensures that when you do move to higher strengths, your skin can handle them safely and effectively.
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Only after at least 6 weeks at your current strength with no irritation, and only if you’re no longer seeing improvements.
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You should only consider moving up in strength if your skin is showing signs that it’s ready. These include:
Minimal or no irritation at your current strength
Skin that feels stable (no excessive dryness, redness, or sensitivity)
A plateau in results, where improvements have slowed down or stopped
If your skin is still improving, it’s best to continue at your current strength rather than increase.
For peels up to 20%, you can generally progress after completing a full tolerance plan (10% → 15% → 20%) without waiting extended periods.
For peels above 20%, you must use the peel once a week for at least 6 weeks before assessing whether it’s safe to move up. This slower approach ensures your skin has built enough resilience to handle stronger concentrations.
Remember: never increase peel strength or extend application time just for the sake of it. The safest and most effective results come from consistent use, patience, and allowing your skin to guide the process.
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Not necessarily. Moving up too fast can lead to irritation, burns, or pigmentation issues, which may delay your progress. The safest approach is to build tolerance gradually — this gives you steady improvements over time and healthier long-term results.
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No. Stronger peels penetrate deeper, but that doesn’t mean they’re automatically better for your skin. Results come from consistency, tolerance, and choosing the right strength for your skin type and concerns. For many people, lower or mid-strength peels used regularly deliver the best outcomes without unnecessary risks.
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Not at all. The early stages of tolerance building are about conditioning your skin, not delivering instant dramatic results. Even if you don’t notice changes at first, your skin is becoming accustomed to the acids, strengthening its barrier, and preparing for higher concentrations later. Think of it as laying the foundation — once tolerance is built, your results will be more noticeable, effective, and consistent.
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Missed >2 weeks: halve your usual on-skin time.
Missed >4 weeks: restart at the lower strength.
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No. Mild tingling is normal, but you should never aim for burning or visible peeling. The effectiveness of a peel comes from the increase in cell turnover, not from how much discomfort you feel. Results should come from safe, controlled exfoliation, not aggressive reactions.
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Not at all. Many people see improvements without strong visible reactions. Peels work at a cellular level by loosening dead skin cells and encouraging renewal. Just because you don’t peel or sting doesn’t mean the product isn’t effective.
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No. Longer application times don’t automatically mean better results. Leaving a peel on for too long increases the risk of irritation without adding extra benefits. The best results come from using the correct strength for the correct time, consistently.