Salicylic acid clears pores, reduces swelling and redness, and exfoliates the skin when applied topically. It's considered to be one of the best treatments for acne scars.
When using salicylic acid or other acne treatments, it may take 6-8 weeks to start noticing results. Anyone who does not see an improvement in their acne after this time may wish to contact a doctor or dermatologist for advice on alternative treatment options.
Salicylic acid can be found in multiple over-the-counter acne treatments. Not only does this ingredient help clear dirt, dead skin, and other impurities from the pores of your skin, it can help reduce inflammation if or when a pimple does arise. In doing so, salicylic acid helps prevent acne scars.
“Salicylic acid has the ability to break up old skin cells and encourage new skin cells to form, which, in turn, helps lighten dark spots and marks left by old pimples,” says Dr. Nazarian.
Salicylic acid
It's considered to be one of the best treatments for acne scars. You can add products with salicylic acid into your daily routine or your skin care specialist may use it for less frequent chemical peels.
Is it okay to use salicylic acid every day? While it is okay to use salicylic acid every day, it could cause irritation. Many dermatologists, therefore, recommend using the acid in moderation, beginning by applying it three times a week and working up from there.
Salicylic acid is one of my favorite ingredients for treating a variety of skin ailments, including acne and dark spots. It's so effective because in addition to being an anti-inflammatory and an antibacterial, it's a keratolytic, which means it breaks down the keratin in our skin and thus helps to lighten dark spots.
If you have blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid alone should work well to clear out your pores. If your acne tends to be inflammatory, such as papules and pustules, opt for benzoyl peroxide to stop outbreaks at the source. For sensitive skin, start with salicylic acid, since it's less likely to cause irritation.
No, salicylic acid is not a skin lightening (as in whitening) agent and therefore, it cannot lighten your skin. However, since salicylic acid has the ability to exfoliate your skin's surface and remove dead skin cells, it can help give your skin a brighter more even complexion.
OTC salicylic acid peels are superficial. It's important to note that these OTC products aren't regulated by the FDA, and they could cause burns or scarring. It's always best to discuss using any at-home peels with your dermatologist.
Acne scars are usually permanent, so it is important to see a dermatologist if you are developing them. Acne treatment can prevent scarring by stopping more spots from forming.
Can I leave salicylic acid overnight? Yes, you can, but only once you have built the skin's tolerance. For those with a skin type that is oily and prone to acne and breakouts, salicylic acid is the best ingredient to use to combat any concerns.
Clindamycin Phosphate/Benzoyl Peroxide Gel Effective for Acne in Darker Skin Tones. Compared with baseline, significant reductions in noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total lesions were seen in the first 4 weeks of treatment with CL-BP 3.75%.
Salicylic acid penetrates into your skin and works to dissolve the dead skin cells clogging your pores. It can take several weeks of use for you to see its full effect. Check with your dermatologist if you aren't seeing results after 6 weeks.
Benzoyl Peroxide For Dark Spots Or Scars
No matter how much you resist the urge to pick at them, it is common to see dark spots or scars post acne. Some skin care experts opine that benzoyl peroxide can shed dead skin cells and make the dark spots or scars seem less prominent [4].
Products with salicylic acid can be used either morning or night. When using products with salicylic acid during the day, it is recommended to apply a daily SPF as the last step in your skincare regimen.
AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
It works by penetrating and dislodging the gunk (sebum) in your pores, so that it's no longer trapped — resulting in a lower chance of triggering an acne breakout." When you combine salicylic with a moisturizer, you're essentially chemically exfoliating your skin while also giving it the hydration it needs to avoid—you ...
Acne treatments — especially those that contain active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid — are drying and a bit harsh on your skin. If you use too many treatments at the same time, your skin may become irritated, and you may actually suffer more breakouts as a result.
There's no known way to make scars totally disappear, but many will become lighter over time on their own. That being said, advocates of natural healing believe that there are remedies that can speed up the lightening process and make a scar less noticeable.
If you have a red or brownish mark on your face that you got from a bad zit, it should eventually fade. However, it may take 12 months or longer. If you're upset about acne marks, talk to your doctor, who might have advice on what you can do.
Emotional and Personal Attributes. In comparison to the pictures of those with clear skin, those with acne scars were less likely to be considered attractive, confident, happy, healthy and successful, and more likely to be perceived as insecure and shy (all p < 0.05; Table 1).