Salicylic Acid Chemical Peels

by A Skin Care Friend

If you have acne have you thought about using a salicylic acid acne treatment? Salicylic acid is used in chemical peels and exfoliants and is excellent for improving the condition of the skin, helping to clear up blackheads and whiteheads and even removing some fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical peels containing salicylic acid suit most people’s skin and have less side effects than many other types of peel.

Salicylic acid is a natural acid found in fruit and is called a beta hydroxy acid. It is similar to acetylsalicylic acid which you will know as aspirin and has some of the same properties. For use in acne remedies the salicylic acid is synthesised in the laboratory, unlike the alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid which are usually extracted from fruit or sugar cane.

How Can I use Salicylic Acid for Acne?

Exfoliants

Salicylic acid can be bought in acne remedies such as gels and creams where it is used as an exfoliant. The concentration in these types of preparations is 5% or less. The molecules of salicylic acid are tiny and can therefore easily penetrate the epidermis of the skin to reach the bonds that hold dead or damaged skin cells in place. Once there they can break these attachments, releasing the dead cells, which can be easily sloughed away leaving your skin looking fresh and healthy. Beta hydroxy acids have an advantage over other kinds of exfoliants as they can dissolve in fats so they are particularly useful if you have an oily skin, which many acne sufferers do, as they can penetrate and clean out sebum filled pores.

Chemical Peels

Salicylic Acid Chemical Peels work in a different way. They literally burn off the top layer of dead skin cells and debris to leave newer, healthier looking skin behind. They are useful for treating discloured skin, whiteheads and blackheads and even removing fine lines and wrinkles. One thing to note however is that this kind of peel should be used only by someone trained in its use as it is not safe to inhale beta hydroxy acids. Most people, even those with sensitive skin, can tolerate these types of chemical peels. Side effects are usually fairly mild and only last for a few days as the top layer of the skin flakes off during the days following the treatment. You may experience some reddening of the skin and irritation during this time.

Salicylic acid acne treatments are an excellent addition in your fight against acne and, although they don’t kill off the acne causing bacteria, they can help to improve the look of your skin enormously.

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