Effect of repeated skin application on percutaneous absorption of salicylic acid

Various concentrations of salicylic acid in hydrophilic ointment were applied repeatedly at daily or weekly intervals to rats in vivo. Salicylic acid absorption through treated skin was monitored by determining the penetration fluxes of salicylic acid through skin excised at various times. A gradual decrease in the salicylic acid penetration flux was observed following weekly applications of either 5 or 10% salicylic acid in hydrophilic ointment. The penetration flux of 1% salicylic acid remained constant. In the daily applications of 5 and 10% salicylic acid, the penetration flux increased after approximately 2 days of treatment and declined thereafter. The penetration flux of salicylic acid from the 1% salicylic acid increased slightly after 3--4 days of treatment.