How Does a Salicylic Acid Peel Work?

Salicylic acid is a naturally occurring beta hydroxy acid that can be extracted from the bark of the willow tree.  It can also be chemically synthesized in a lab.  Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in many cosmetic products used for the treatment of mild acne.

More serious conditions can be helped by a concentrated form of salicylic acid as a chemical peel.  Chemical peels using natural acids such as salicylic acid can also be used to treat the signs of aging or sun damage and restore youthful texture to skin.

When used in high concentrations, salicylic acid acts to dissolve top skin layers.  The skin cells will then slough off revealing new skin.  This will encourage the development of new skin cell growth from deep underneath the skin layers.  This will encourage developing acne to rise to the top of the skin surface faster.  Salicylic acid is also thought to breakdown existing sebum plugs known as comedones.

Comedones are the first step in the cause of acne.  Hair follicles are clogged with plugs of oil (sebum) combined with dead skin tissue.  Bacteria is then thought to cause inflammation and infection. Salicylic acid breaks through these plugs and limits further development by dissolving skin cells inside the hair follicle.  It also is antibacterial and will kill some of the bacteria present on the skin which contribute to inflammation and infection of acne spots.

The use of salicylic acid in the treatment of acne will also allow other medications such as topical antibiotics to penetrate to the cause of the acne in a much more effective manner.

Salicylic acid peels in concentrations of 5 to 30% are designed to improve the appearance of skin.  They can help reduce acne and prevent future outbreaks.  Lower concentration salicylic acid peels may be applied by the user at home.  Most skin care professionals recommend starting at the lower concentrations until it is known how well the skin will respond.  Some people are sensitive to salicylic acid and will not be able to tolerate high concentrations. Higher concentrations will allow for deeper tissue penetration and more thorough treatment but should be applied by a skin care professional such as an aesthetician or dermatology expert.

Beginning with the lowest concentration of 5% and increasing the concentration as needed, a salicylic acid peel will usually be effective if applied every week or so for several weeks.  After a session of two to three treatments, marked improvement will be seen in the skin.  The treatments will continue to keep skin clear for at least a month while a break is taken.  Treatments may be resumed if acne recurs but this may not be necessary as this is a very effective treatment option for acne.