Salicylic Acid Peel: A Comprehensive Review

– safe and effective procedure for the treatment of various skin diseases and improving the cosmetic appearance of the face. The principle of peeling – it is a controlled chemical damage that results in smoother, younger looking skin and improved skin texture. Salicylic acid peels are safe and well tolerated by all racial/ethnic groups and all skin types (Fitzpatrick I – VI). On estet-portal.com, read who is indicated for salicylic acid peeling, as well as what side effects can be expected after it.

Peculiarities of peeling with salicylic acid

Chemical peels can be divided into three broad categories:

•    surface;

•    medium;

•    deep.

Superficial peels cause damage to the epidermis and are therefore used to treat conditions such as melasma, acne and dyschromia.

Medium depth peels penetrate the papillary dermis and are useful in the treatment of solar keratoses, dyschromias and pigmentary disorders. Deep peels cause necrosis to the level of the reticular dermis and are therefore indicated for deep wrinkles, severe photoaging and deep scars. Peeling based on salicylic acid is superficial, which makes it the safest and least traumatic.

Salicylic peeling for gentle and effective skin cleansing Indications for peeling with salicylic acid

Different concentrations of salicylic acid are used in dermatological and cosmetic practice:

•    0.5% -10% for acne treatment;

•    3% - 6% to work with hyperkeratotic disorders such as psoriasis, ichthyosis, keratosis;

•    5% - 40% to eliminate warts and calluses;

•    50% for actinic and pigmented skin lesions;

•    20% - 30% for superficial chemical facial peels.

•    acne disease;

•    melasma;

•    post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation;

•    freckles;

•    photoaging;

•    small wrinkles.

Thus, peeling with salicylic acid can solve a fairly large number of dermatological and cosmetic problems. In this regard, it can indeed be called the basic tool of a specialist in aesthetic medicine.

Telegram! The anti-inflammatory properties of salicylic acid

As a salicylate, salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties. The concentration at which its anti-inflammatory effect is most pronounced ranges from 0.5% to 5%.

Salicylic acid has an anesthetic effect that is observed during peeling and increases the patient's ability to tolerate the procedure.

Salicylic acid also has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Whitfield's ointment, which contains benzoic and salicylic acids, has been used for its antifungal properties.  

Possible contraindications to salicylic acid peels include contact allergy to salicylates, acute skin lesions, pregnancy, and acute viral infections.

• prolonged erythema;

• intense peeling;

• crust;

• dryness;

• contact sensitization.

In general, peeling with salicylic acid is safe and can effectively deal with a huge number of dermatological and cosmetic problems. Moreover, salicylic acid, according to recent studies, has the ability to inhibit the growth of tumor cells, which has great prospects in the future.

Surface peeling: how not to deceive the patient's expectations