Salicylic

Learn about Salicylic Acid

FAQs About Salicylic Acid

August 24th, 2010

Jacqueline

Salicylic acid has long been used as a pain reliever, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory. It’s also become widely popular as an acne treatment and a chemical peeling agent. Read on to learn the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about salicylic acid.

How Does Salicylic Acid Treat Acne?

Salicylic acid treats acne by exfoliating dead skin cells. It has the power to penetrate your pores, removing the dirt, oil, and debris that can accumulate and cause acne. It speeds up the process by which you shed dead skin cells from inside your pores, to keep pores clear and prevent acne.

Salicylic acid is a common active ingredient in prescription and over-the-counter acne cleansers and treatments. It can be applied topically in low concentrations to help exfoliate the skin and control acne breakouts. In higher concentrations, it can be used as a chemical peeling agent to help keep pores clear.

What are the Benefits of a Salicylic Acid Peel?

Salicylic acid is a gentle chemical peeling agent that can be used by itself or in combination with other peeling agents. Salicylic acid is used in both mild and medium-depth chemical peels to remove the upper layers of the skin’s surface. While that might sound scary, it’s nothing more than your skin’s natural exfoliation process, sped up. Salicylic acid can remove dull, dead skin from the surface, leaving fresh, bright, younger-looking skin behind.

Salicylic acid chemical peels can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and sun damage. Deeper peels using salicylic acid can even improve the appearance of scars. Regular, mild salicylic acid peels can help keep acne under control.

What are the Risks of a Salicylic Acid Peel?

Chemical peels use acids to remove some of the surface layers of your skin. The amount of skin a peel removes depends on the depth of the peel. Mild peels remove only the very surface layers of your skin. There is a slight risk of scarring, pigmentation changes, or demarcation lines. However, since mild peels don’t penetrate very far at all into the skin, the risk is minimal. You’ll most likely experience some mild side effects, such as a burning sensation during treatment, redness of the treatment area, and mild flaking for a few days after.

Medium-depth peels sometimes use salicylic acid, usually in combination with other peeling agents. The deeper the peel, the higher the risk, since stronger acids leave you more vulnerable to side effects and complications. Deeper peels are safest when performed by a professional.

Is Salicylic Acid Safe for Use During Pregnancy?

Salicylic acid is not considered safe for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Fortunately, other chemical peeling agents, such as glycolic or lactic acid, may be acceptable. Talk to your doctor before having a chemical peel, or any other procedure, while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Can I Use Salicylic Acid if I Have an Aspirin Allergy?

No, you should not use salicylic acid if you have an aspirin allergy. Salicylic acid is similar to the active ingredient in aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid. While the two chemicals are different, they are still similar enough to cause the same allergic reaction in those with aspirin sensitivity. Play it safe and choose another option.

History of Salicylic Acid

August 22nd, 2010

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Salicylic acid is a gentle acid derived from the bark of the willow tree. The bark of this tree has long been used as a traditional remedy for pain, inflammation, and fever.

Today, salicylic acid has become a popular treatment for acne, and is used in chemical peels to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and sun damage. Salicylic acid peels can also help keep pores clean to treat and prevent acne. Let’s have a look at the history of salicylic acid.

Salicylic Acid in Ancient Times

The medicinal use of salicylic acid was first documented by the ancient Greeks in about 500 BC. In ancient times, salicylic acid wasn’t used to clear up acne or chemically exfoliate the skin. It was used primarily as a pain reliever and fever reducer. Native Americans are known to have widely used salicylic acid, in the form of willow bark, to treat pain, fever, and inflammation.

Salicylic Acid Goes Modern

Scientists began studying the properties of willow bark and its active ingredient, salicylic acid, in the 1900s. Because pharmacists, chemists, and doctors were already familiar with salicylic acid’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, they sought to create a widely usable version of the drug.

Johann Buchner, a German working at the University of Munich, was the first to distill from willow bark the substance he called “salicin” after the Latin name for the willow tree, Salix alba. In 1829, French chemist Henri LaRoux perfected the extraction technique. In 1853, Charles Gerhardt, another Frenchman, invented aspirin, though it wasn’t marketed until the Bayer company patented the formula in 1899.

Salicylic Acid for Skin Care

In the 20^th century, salicylic acid began to be used as a treatment for skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, warts, and calluses. Salicylic acid softens the skin, and can be applied in varying concentrations to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. It also helps to clean pores, removing the dirt, oil, and debris that can build up to cause acne. Because salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties, it can soothe the skin while also exfoliating it. This makes it one of the most gentle chemical peeling agents available today.

Salicylic Acid Peels Keep Our Celebrities Fabulous

August 20th, 2010

Jacqueline

Everyone wants to maintain a youthful appearance, but if you’re a celebrity, it’s part of your job description. Salicylic acid has long been used in the treatment of acne and other skin conditions, and is now one of the active ingredient in many skin peel formulas, such as the Jessner’s solution and the VI peel. Salicylic acid may also be used alone, or in combination with acids such as glycolic acid or alphahydroxy acid, to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes.

According to Dr. Jessica Wu, an LA-based dermatologist who recently spoke to Cosmopolitan on the subject, celebrities begin receiving chemical peels in their 20s “to unclog pores and prevent acne,” and continue to receive them later in life to treat pigmentation problems, sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles.

So, there’s a good chance that many of today’s age-defying stars, like Cher, Nicole Kidman, Mariah Carey, and Sylvester Stallone, have been taking advantage of salicylic acid’s acne-fighting and skin rejuvenating properties for some time. According to Michigan-based plastic surgeon Dr. Tony Youn, author of the blog Celebrity Cosmetic Surgery, these stars couldn’t have possibly refrained from chemical peels, laser treatments, or other skin refinishing procedures. In a 2008 blog post, Dr. Youn says of Stallone, “He appears to take good care of his skin, possibly with chemical peels and medical grade skin care.”

While celebrities won’t typically admit which cosmetic procedures they’ve undergone, or how many, it’s almost certain that many of them are receiving regular salicylic acid skin peels. It’s used in popular formulas like the VI peel, which has recently taken Hollywood by storm. And, since salicylic acid is so gentle, it can help younger celebrities control their acne breakouts and maintain their skin’s appearance from the day they get their first big break.

5 Questions You Should Ask Before a Salicylic Acid Peel

August 18th, 2010

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aspirin ointment formulation
Salicylic acid is a popular ingredient in many prescription and over-the-counter acne treatments. Dermatologists have recently discovered that salicylic acid is an effective chemical peeling agent that can have the same effects as other peeling agents like glycolic acid. But, like any surgical procedure, salicylic acid can carry some risks. Here are the questions you should ask before having a salicylic acid skin peel.

1) What are the Benefits of a Salicylic Acid Peel?

Dermatologists have recently discovered that salicylic acid is one of the most gentle, yet effective, chemical peeling agents available today. Salicylic acid has natural anti-inflammatory properties, so it can soothe your skin while exfoliating it at the same time. And since salicylic acid is powerful but gentle, your dermatologist won’t have to use as much of it to give you the same chemical peel results—reduced appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes, as well as clear, acne-free skin.

2) What are the Risks of a Salicylic Acid Peel?

Salicylic acid is a gentle acid derived from chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants, such as the willow tree. Salicylic acid can be used on its own, or in combination with other gentle acids such as AHA or glycolic acid, to perform a mild chemical peel. Mild chemical peels remove only the very surface layers of your skin and carry few risks.

3) What are the Side Effects of a Salicylic Acid Peel?

A mild salicylic acid peel, performed by a dermatologist, might sting or burn for a few minutes, and you might experience about 24 hours of redness and inflammation. Salicylic acid can dry the skin, and your skin might peel for two or three days, but you can relieve this with moisturizer.

If you receive a deeper peel that uses salicylic acid as a main ingredient, you will run the risks of scarring, pigmentation changes and demarcation lines that deeper peels carry. You will have a longer recovery time of up to two weeks, and you will need to keep the treatment area clean and dry to prevent infection. You’ll also need to regularly apply an ointment your dermatologist will give you. Your skin may form a dark brown crust which, after about a week, should fall off, revealing smoother skin below. The treated skin may remain bright pink for several weeks after your skin peel.

4) Should I Use Salicylic Acid If I Have an Aspirin Allergy?

If you have an aspirin allergy or sensitivity, using a salicylic acid peel could be very risky. Salicylic acid is chemically similar to the main ingredient in aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid. The two chemicals are similar enough to cause similar allergic reactions. You could even experience life-threatening anaphylaxis. If you have an aspirin allergy or sensitivity, ask your dermatologist about alternatives to salicylic acid.

5) Should I Receive a Salicylic Acid Peel If I am Pregnant?

Pregnancy is no reason to let your skin care regimen slide, but many chemical peel formulas and other skin care products contain ingredients that can seep into your bloodstream and harm your unborn baby. Salicylic acid has been proven to cause birth defects in unborn babies, and it can lead to complications when used during pregnancy. Your dermatologist can help you choose a safe chemical peel agent, such as lactic acid, AHA, or glycolic acid.

Salicylic Acid Skin Peels: Before, During, and After

August 16th, 2010

Jacqueline

Salicylic acid is a gentle acid used in mild and deeper chemical peels to treat acne and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes. Salicylic acid is safe for use on all skin types, and can have dramatic results even when used in lower concentrations. Preparing for your salicylic acid peel properly can help you get the most out of your treatment.

Preparing for Your Salicylic Acid Peel

Salicylic acid is not safe for use during pregnancy. While dermatologists tentatively agree that using a cleanser with up to two percent salicylic acid may be safe during pregnancy, a full-blown chemical peel is definitely not. Salicylic acid has been proven to cause birth defects and pregnancy complications. You shouldn’t use it while breastfeeding, either. Make sure you won’t be pregnant or breastfeeding when you receive your peel.

You can prepare your skin for a chemical peel by using a retinoid cream daily for four to six weeks prior to your peel. A cream containing Retin-A, or alphahydroxy acids (AHA), can begin the exfoliation process. That way, when you receive your chemical peel, the acids will be better able to penetrate your skin’s surface. When skin is properly prepared, salicylic acid can remove more dead cells from the surface and leave your new face looking even fresher, brighter, and younger.

Before undergoing any cosmetic or other medical procedure, you should discuss the risks and possible side effects with your doctor. Mild skin peels with salicylic acid and other gentle ingredients, like lactic acid, carry few risks, since they don’t really penetrate deep enough into the skin to cause scarring, pigmentation changes, or demarcation lines.

You should remember that, just because a peel formula contains salicylic acid, that doesn’t mean it’s gentle or mild. Jessner’s solution, a deeper peel formula, contains salicylic acid, but it also contains stronger acids such as retinol that should be applied by a professional to minimize the risk of scarring and other complications.

You should be aware that salicylic acid carries a risk of allergic reaction in those who are sensitive to aspirin and other salicylates. If you have or think you might have an aspirin allergy, you shouldn’t have a salicylic acid peel. Try a peel using AHAs, lactic acid, or glycolic acid instead.

During Your Salicylic Acid Peel

You can either get an at home Salicylic Peel or go to an office to get one. done. The peel procedure itself will last no longer than ten minutes. Afterward, you will need to be neutralize the acids and may apply ointment to keep your skin moist during the healing process.

After Your Salicylic Acid Peel

If you’ve had a mild peel, your skin may be red for up to 24 hours. You may experience flaking and peeling for a few days. Stay out of the sun and use a moisturizer to relieve flaking.

If you have received a deeper peel, you may need up to two weeks’ recovery time. During recovery, your skin will form a brown crust. This crust will fall off after about a week, and the skin below will be bright pink. The pinkness will gradually fade over several weeks. Keep the treatment area clean and dry and use the ointment your dermatologist gives you to keep the treated skin moist and prevent infection. Once the brown crust falls off, you can begin moisturizing as normal and wearing cosmetics.

Salicylic Acid Peels for All Skin Types

August 14th, 2010

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Salicylic acid is a gentle acid derived from the bark of the willow tree. This gentle chemical is widely used to treat acne and other skin conditions, and it is a popular ingredient in many mild chemical peels. It is also sometimes used in deeper peels, like the Jessner’s solution, or to prepare the skin for a deeper peel. Because salicylic acid is gentle, it can be used with all skin types.

Salicylic Acid for Oily and Combination Skin

Salicylic acid is well known as an acne treatment. It is often applied, in low concentrations of about two percent, to the surface of the skin to clear pores and treat acne. It is used in concentrations of 20 to 30 percent in mild chemical peels. These peels remove the upper layers of the skin’s surface, to brighten, freshen, and firm skin’s appearance.

Your skin sheds dead cells regularly, but salicylic acid speeds up this process, removing all the dead skin at once instead of allowing it to flake off slowly. This can allow newer, smoother, younger-looking skin to shine through. When performed regularly, these peels can help to keep dead skin cells, oil, and debris from building up in the pores and causing acne. Salicylic acid can dry skin, but those with oily or combination skin may experience fewer dry skin symptoms.

Salicylic Acid for Normal Skin

You might think that salicylic acid chemical peels can’t benefit those with normal skin, since they aren’t particularly prone to acne. However, you’d be wrong. Salicylic acid is safe and gentle enough for all skin types. Even if you have normal skin, a salicylic acid peel can still remove dead skin cells from your skin’s surface, to reveal younger-looking skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.’

Those with normal skin may experience more flaking and dryness after a salicylic acid peel. These side effects can be relieved with a moisturizer.

Salicylic Acid for Dry Skin

As you may be aware, dry skin can show fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes more than oily, combination, or normal skin. This is because moisture helps plump your skin up, hiding the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you have dry skin, wrinkles and fine lines may appear more pronounced.

A salicylic acid peel can help reduce or eliminate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in those with dry skin. It works in the same way, by removing the upper layers of your skin’s surface. Salicylic acid is a gentle chemical, but it can dry and irritate skin. If you have chosen a salicylic acid peel to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on dry skin, you may need to use a moisturizer during the recovery process to relieve flaking, dryness, and irritation.

Salicylic Acid is Gentle Enough for All Skin Types

Salicylic acid is a gentle acid, mostly used in mild chemical peels. It can also be used in stronger peels, such as the Jessner’s solution peel, and can be used as a preliminary peel to prepare the skin for a deeper peel. Salicylic acid can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes for all skin types. Regular mild peels using salicylic acid can help to keep pores clear to prevent acne and acne scarring.

Salicylic Acid Helps Fight Acne & More

August 10th, 2010

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Salicylic acid peels use salicylic acid, a gentle betahydroxy acid (BHA), to treat acne and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. Here’s what you can expect from a salicylic acid chemical peel.

Salicylic Acid Peels Treat Acne

One of salicylic acid’s most common uses is as an acne treatment. You don’t have to get a chemical peel to use salicylic acid for acne treatment. Most of today’s acne cleansers, lotions, ointments, and wipes contain salicylic acid as an active ingredient.

Salicylic acid has the ability to penetrate pores and remove the dirt, debris, and skin oils that can accumulate there. Performed regularly, a salicylic acid chemical peel can keep pores clear and prevent acne.

Salicylic Acid Peels Make You Look Younger

Salicylic acid peels, like other types of chemical peels, gently exfoliate the surface layers of your skin. The new skin beneath is generally firmer, brighter, and smoother, with fewer fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes. Salicylic acid can even improve the appearance of sun damage. Since it is a gentle, mild peel, salicylic acid can be used regularly to help maintain your youthful appearance.

Because salicylic acid is so gentle, it is less likely than other mild acids to cause side effects like dryness, redness, and irritation. Because salicylic acid is a natural anti-inflammatory, it’s perfect for chemical peels, since it can soothe your skin while simultaneously exfoliating it.

Many dermatologists have come to prefer salicylic acid to some of the other acids used in mild chemical peels, such as glycolic or alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), since these acids can be far more caustic to the skin. Salicylic acid can be used in lower concentrations to achieve the same chemical peel benefits offered by glycolic or alphahydroxy acids, with fewer risks.

What is Salicylic Acid?

August 8th, 2010

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Salicylic acid can be applied to the skin to help heal acne and prevent acne scarring. It’s also used to treat other skin conditions, such as psoriasis, calluses, corns, and warts. Salicylic acid is a popular ingredient in mild chemical peels. Chemical peels help to speed up your skin’s natural exfoliation process. They remove the upper layers of your skin to reveal newer, smoother, younger-looking skin below.

What Salicylic Acid Is

Salicylic acid is a gentle acid derived from the bark of the willow tree. Salicylic acid is similar to, but not quite the same as, the active ingredient in aspirin, acetyl salicylic acid. Salicylic acid treats acne by removing dead skin cells that can clog pores. In stronger concentrations, it can remove the surface layers of the skin to effect a chemical peel.

Salicylic Acid for Acne and Skin Conditions

Salicylic acid may be the most widely used treatment for acne. It is an active ingredient in both prescription and over-the-counter acne treatments. Salicylic acid gently removes dead skin cells to keep pores from clogging and acne from forming. Salicylic acid can also help to improve skin conditions that occur as a result of skin cell overgrowth. Conditions such as these include psoriasis, dandruff, corns, warts, and calluses.

Salicylic acid for acne and other skin conditions is applied topically, to the surface of the skin. It comes in a range of forms, including creams, soaps, gels, pads, and wipes. Salicylic acid for acne can dry and irritate the skin. If you are using salicylic acid to treat acne or other skin conditions, you might need to apply less than the recommended dose at first, until your skin gets used to it.

Salicylic Acid in Chemical Peels

Salicylic acid is a popular ingredient in mild chemical peels. Mild chemical peels remove only the upper layers of the skin’s surface. They don’t produce many side effects, and they carry a short recovery time, usually just a few days. The procedure generally causes only a mild stinging or burning sensation, and most people find that their skin has regained its normal color by the next day.

Chemical peels use a much higher concentration of salicylic acid than do creams, soaps, and other salicylic acid skin treatments. While most acne cleansers contain only about two percent salicylic acid, chemical peels typically contain 20 to 30 percent salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is often combined with other ingredients in mild chemical peels, including glycolic acid and alphahydroxy acid (AHA). These mild acids work with salicylic acid to make a chemical peel more effective.

Salicylic acid is also sometimes used in stronger, medium-depth chemical peels. Jessner’s solution contains salicylic acid, as well as stronger acids like resorcinol. Salicylic acid may also be used to perform a preliminary peel, often done to help prepare the skin for a deeper peel such as a TCA peel.

Salicylic Acid and Your Skin

Salicylic acid isn’t just for treating acne. If you’re looking to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes with little downtime few side effects, a salicylic acid chemical peel can gently melt the years away.

Using Topical Salicylic Acid

August 6th, 2010

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Topical salicylic acid may be most commonly used to treat acne and clear skin. It’s also used for the treatment of other skin conditions, including psoriasis, calluses, warts, and corns. Salicylic acid can reduce acne inflammation and unclog pores to keep acne from recurring. It also helps remove scaly, dry, or thick skin. Use salicylic acid properly for the best results.

Forms of Topical Salicylic Acid

Topical salicylic acid is available in many forms. Creams, gels, ointments, shampoos, patches, and wipes can all deliver a dose of salicylic acid to the skin. Over-the-counter products are readily available, but more severe skin conditions may require prescription-strength salicylic acid products.

Applying Salicylic Acid to the Skin

Each salicylic acid product may come with different instructions for application and frequency of use. Some products may need to be used more frequently than others. For over-the-counter products, read package instructions carefully. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions. For prescribed products, follow your doctor’s instructions.

Salicylic Acid Precautions

Avoid using topical salicylic acid on infected, irritated, inflamed or broken skin. Keep topical salicylic acid away from the mouth, nose and eyes. If salicylic acid gets into the mouth, nose or eyes, flush them with water for 15 minutes. If you swallow topical salicylic acid, contact emergency services.

Apply topical salicylic acid only to the parts of your skin that need treatment. Applying salicylic acid liberally to healthy skin could be dangerous. Do not use bandages or dressings over areas treated with salicylic acid.

If you are using salicylic acid to treat acne, your condition may seem to worsen at first. This is normal. It means your skin is getting used to the salicylic acid. Your acne will gradually clear over weeks or months.

Use gentle cleansers to clean the skin you’re treating with salicylic acid. Avoid cleansers that contain alcohol. Salicylic acid can irritate the skin, especially when used to treat acne. Avoid skin irritation by using less product for the first few days, until your skin has a chance to get used to it.

Salicylic Acid: The Facts

August 4th, 2010

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Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy-acid that is commonly used in many acne treatments. It is derived from willow tree bark and can help to reduce excess sebum in the skin. Its anti-inflammatory and exfoliant properties also make it a popular choice for other skin treatments, such as psoriasis, calluses, corns and warts.

Similar to glycolic acid, salicylic acid encourages the epidermis to shed, keeping pores clear of cellular debris. As this exfoliation process helps to remove dry, scaly skin – keeping pore blockage to a minimum – it is very helpful in preventing breakouts.

Because salicylic acid is readily available over-the-counter, it may be tempting to use different types of treatment at once, or to overuse the product. However, excessive use can actually be detrimental to the skin and may cause dryness, peeling and irritation. As such, it is important to use care when implementing a new product into your skin-care routine.

Nevertheless, used correctly, many salicylic treatments can be a positive addition to any skincare regimen, especially for those with oily and acne prone skin.

Salicylic Acid Peel

Particularly effective is the salicylic acid peel, as it is able to penetrate deeper into the skin – removing blackheads, whiteheads and diminishing fine lines. At a concentration of 10 to 30 , salicylic acid peels have a much higher level of concentration than drugstore salicylic acne creams, which are typically at 1 to 5.

At this high concentration level, salicylic acid acts as a peeling agent dissolving the top layer of the epidermis. This peel aims to resurface the skin, resulting in a smoother complexion – treating current acne as well as preventing future breakouts.

A few days prior to the treatment, it is best to avoid exfoliation as the peel is already designed to remove the top layers of the epidermis. The skin should be clean and free from any creams, so a mild cleanser should be used beforehand.

Typically, the peel is placed on the skin for a period not exceeding 20 minutes. There is slight tingling involved, but the process should not cause any pain or discomfort. Once removed, the skin may appear red and shiny, but this will fade within a couple of hours if the peel performed is superficial. A mild lotion or cream may be applied to help with soothing, and makeup can usually be applied immediately or within a day.

As with any treatment, it is always important to protect the skin from harmful UV rays after the peel, as this can aggravate and cause damage to the skin. Always use an SPF 30 or above.

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