Glycolic Acid Peel

Glycolic acid peels are widely used in cosmetic procedure. The lighter strength acids can be used at home but the higher strength acids are best used in the physician's office.

At concentrations less than 10%, they are formulated for everyday use creams. At these levels, skin benefits result from continuous use and over time, the skin will show a reduction in the fine lines and an appearance of amore youthful looking skin with a soft texture



At higher concentrations, AHAs function as peeling agents which act more rapidly and at a deeper level. Glycolic acid peels at concentrations of 20-70% are commonly used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons to treat severe acne scars and skin pigmentation irregularities. Their effectiveness depends on the contact time of the acid and the number of peeling sessions.

Glycolic acid treatment is a decent peeling agent and can be used by individuals of all ages.

The chemical peel is most useful for

- rough, sun-damaged skin

- Correct areas of uneven pigmentation.

Mild Glycolic Acid-based peels take about 20 minutes. Most people notice a change in the skin right away. For optimal effect it is recommended that Glycolic Peels are performed weekly for six weeks.

Glycolic Peels can be used on

- face

- neck

- chest

- hands

- arms and legs

The acid when applied to the skin removes dead cells and stimulates the production of new skin cells. When a higher concentration of glycolic acid is applied to the skin, a burning sensation similar to a sunburn is usually felt by patients after the procedure. For deeper peels, some patients require general anesthesia. Several chemical solutions exist that can peel away skin from the superficial, medium, or deep layers.

Glycolic acid does have a few rare side effects. The most common are skin irritation and redness. The side effects are transient and quickly disappear in a few days. If the side effects persist, one may have to use a milder strength acid

Glycolic acid is available both as a cream ad a facial wash. When applied to the skin, it can slowly remove the old and most superficial layers of the skin. Both the facial wash and ream have a moisturizer added to the formulation to prevent excessive dryness of the skin

Both the wash and the cream are recommended for use twice a day

Once the glycolic treatments begin, one may experience

- redness

- irritation

- itching

- stinging

- dryness

However, you can expect these symptoms to gradually disappear as the skin adjusts to the treatment.

Once a chemical peel has been applied, one needs to avoid the sun or wear a sunscreen regularly.

The results of glycolic acid are not immediate. Not all individuals have the same degree of skin improvement. Some only show mild improvement but others show great improvement in their skin. In most cases, the new skin is younger and smoother looking

The maximum benefits of glycolic acid peel are usually seen after 8-10 weeks