Glycolic acid, along with some other vitamin C peels are the most commonly used rejuvenation treatments for facial skin care. Glycolic facial peels and other members of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) group like lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid peels are all chemically composed of carbon backbones. As naturally occurring chemicals, the AHA based treatments are one of the best categories of natural skin care products available in the market today.
Facial peels are a skin care treatment which basically burns off a layer of damaged skin, leaving a clean, smooth layer in its place. While peels can occasionally be applied to other areas of the body, such as the hands, they are generally restricted to the face. Glycolic acid products are among the most gentle of peel alternatives. The effect on the skin is normally mild and recovery is very quick.
Glycolic acid peels will as stated before also help to remove acne, and a glycolic acid peel only takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Usually it is suggested that you repeat the glycolic acid treatment ever two weeks. But you can see with the amount of time spent on a treatment that this is perfect for those people who have little free time, but might have dead skin, or acne they are looking to remove.
The light or superficial peels are generally glycolic and salicylic acid. There are many off shoots of these like fruit acids, the pumpkin peel, etc? Any of these acids that you see available at your local store have a concentration or strength that is so low that it is basically ineffective.
The most common chemical facial peels include phenol, TCA, and glycolic acid peels. Also, many lasers are available to refreshen the skin and rid the skin of a variety of pigmented skin lesions and fine lines; however, lasers are very expensive and often can go deeper into the skin than is desirable.
The skin is thoroughly cleansed with an agent(chemical peel) that removes excess oils while the eyes and hair are protected. One or more chemical solutions, such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid or carbolic acid (phenol), are applied to small areas on the skin. These Chemical Peel applications produce a controlled wound, enabling new, regenerated skin to appear.
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), such as lactic acid, glycolic acid and fruit acids are the lowest and mildest types of chemical peels. It is often referred to as a light peel and you can have the procedure done during your lunch break and go back to work with no problems. It is often used to treat very small wrinkles, uneven skin tone and scars from eczema and acne. The peel is usually done over a period of time such as 2 weeks to a month. This is to ensure the individual gets the proper results. Glycolic acid can also be used at home to get a proper looking result.
Light peels, which give skin a fresher look, may be administered by a physician or trained technician. They are used for treating fine wrinkling, areas of dryness and uneven pigmentation. The solution is usually comprised of alphahydroxy acids such as glycolic, lactic, salicylic or fruit acids.
Natural fruit acids provide the gentler (and less expensive) chemical peel treatments, especially glycolic acid, as well as lactic and citric acid. Each treatment is brief (15-20 minutes), and a series over a few months will gently renew the skin, fading those age spots right out.
Glycolic Acid Facial Peels
Glycolic acid, along with some other vitamin C peels are the most commonly used rejuvenation treatments for facial skin care. Glycolic facial peels and other members of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) group like lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid peels are all chemically composed of carbon backbones. As naturally occurring chemicals, the AHA based treatments are one of the best categories of natural skin care products available in the market today.
Obtained from sugar cane, glycolic acid facial peels is the most popular and commonly used facial skin procedure among the AHA treatments.
Effects of glycolic acid peel
With time and exposure to sunlight, there is a gradual slowing down of the rate at which old cells are replaced by newer cells. The surface of the skin with old cells sticking to it provides an aged appearance to the skin.
A treatment with glycolic acid peels loosens the inter-cellular substances that hold the surface skin cells to each other. When the intracellular cement is loosened, it allows the dead skin to peel off readily. Shedding of the old, sun-damaged surface of the skin helps to encourage new growth of the cells in the skin underneath. The new growth of cells results in a fresher, healthier looking skin with more even color and texture.
Glycolic acid facial peels are generally known as superficial peels, because these peels penetrate only through the epidermis and papillary dermis to an average depth of 0.06mm. However, the repetitive use of glycolic acid facial peels has a profound effect on improving the texture of the skin.
The effect of glycolic acid facial peels on the deeper layers of the skin has also been observed with high concentration and long-term use. The deeper penetration of glycolic acid peels has been shown to help in collagen and elastin regeneration helping the fine lines of aging to disappear.
On the whole, the effects of glycolic acid facial peels on the skin can be listed as follows:
?Smoothening of rough, dry skin
?Exfoliation of the dead cells
?Slowing down of the ageing process
?Improving the texture of sun-damaged skin
?Normalizing of oily, acne troubled skin
?Control of acne
?Glycolic acid peels can also be mixed with bleaching agents to correct pigment problems
?Glycolic acid peels can be used as pre-treatment before a TCA peel
Histological effects of glycolic acid treatment are manifested by reduction of stratum corneum thickness, increased epidermal thickness, more orderly differentiation of skin cells and dispersal of melanin within the basal layer.
Candidates for the glycolic acid peel
The biggest advantage of glycolic acid facial peels is that they can be safely used for all skin types. The treatment with glycolic acid peels is useful for the people with:
?Superficial wrinkles of the face, neck, upper chest and arms
?Uneven pigmentation
?Enlarged facial pores
?Superficial acne scars on the face
?Oily skin
?Age spots
?Newly formed acne
Procedure for Treatment with Glycolic Acid Peel
Performing a glycolic acid peel just takes 15-20 minutes. Repeated peeling offers good anti-aging benefits to the skin.
The strength of glycolic acid has been found to affect the results. Generally the strength of each peel ranges from 20-70%, depending on skin sensitivity and the state of the skin at the start of the procedure.
After the face is cleansed thoroughly, the peel solution is applied for a few minutes or longer. The exact duration depends on the particular type of solution and its strength. The peel may sting mildly during the treatment.
The skin may be a little pink immediately after treatment. A little peeling may occur over the next few days. It can be disguised with moisturizer or normal make-up. Remember, protecting your skin from the sun is also important following these mild acid peels. Ask your doctor to recommend a sunblock with adequate UVA and UVB protection and use it every day.
Both Jackb Son & Catherine Halls are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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