Mandelic acid and other alpha hydroxy acids generally soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture.
Trichloracetic acid (TCA) is most commonly used for medium peels. Peels of this strength are often used to remove the epidermis and the upper part of the dermis to treat problems like discoloration, deeper wrinkles and acne scars.
The chemicals damage the outer layers of skin in a controlled way. After the procedure, the damaged skin becomes red and peels off. Chemical peels can remove age spots, acne scars, and some wrinkles. As the smoother skin underneath heals and grows, your skin looks younger.
Salicylic acid peels are also used as anti-aging peels. 1 While they can't erase deep lines and wrinkles, they can soften fine lines and give your complexion a boost. It is especially good at treating sun damage, too.
AHAs and glycolic acid cause exfoliation of your skin. They remove the layer of surface skin, which: Smooths wrinkles caused by sun damage, age, and genetics. Improves skin texture.
Since the TCA peels exfoliate deeper into the dermis than a salicylic acid or glycolic acid peel, they have more potent and longer lasting results. That is why a TCA is typically used for quick treatment of a bad scar or freckles, and to lighten tattoos.
Glycolic acid is an effective exfoliant, meaning it can remove dead skin cells. It's well suited to reducing hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. If you have acne-prone skin, salicylic acid is usually a better option. It can get rid of excess sebum and prevent or treat acne.
Before and After Results of the Salicylic Peel Treatment
Once the treatment is complete, it will take about 3-4 weeks to experience the improvement in your skin texture. After the peel, you will observe that the appearance of your acne and pimple marks reduce visibly.
Salicylic acid has been used to treat various skin disorders for more than 2,000 years. The ability of salicylic acid to exfoliate the stratum corneum makes it a good agent for peeling. In particular, the comedolytic property of salicylic acid makes it a useful peeling agent for patients with acne.
Salicylic acid does not give you wrinkles, but if you overuse it, it can dehydrate your skin by stripping away too much of the protective sebum on the surface of your skin.
For deeper wrinkles, a medium or deep chemical peel is the best option. For rough skin caused by sun damage, microdermabrasion or a light chemical peel will work. If you have severe damage or are at risk of melasma, medium or deep chemical peels are better suited.
A TCA peel can: Reduce the visibility of acne scars, dark spots, freckles, and sun damage. Brighten the skin tone and erase fine lines. Smooth wrinkles.
After your skin heals, apply daily sunscreen. You can wear makeup immediately after treatment or the next day. Additional peels may be repeated every two to five weeks until you achieve your desired results. Typically three to five peels are needed to achieve your goal.
Chemical Peels can effectively reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and even dark spots. They vary in strength, depending on your needs, and treatment can be completed in less than 30 minutes.
Retinoid or Retinol and Salicylic Acid
But on its own, each can dry out the skin, so together they should be combined with caution. The risk is overdrying, which can lead to irritation and make the situation worse.
Salicylic Acid Peel Benefits
Salicylic acid can lower inflammation, redness, and swelling caused by acne. Lowers oil production. Sebum is a natural oil that moisturizes your skin. Too much oil and dead skin cells together can clog your pores and cause a break out.
"If salicylic acid is an ingredient in your cleanser, it is fine to use it every day." However, if you are using an exfoliant that salicylic acid in the formula, Dr. Hu advises only using the product three times per week, to avoid over-exfoliating the skin and drying it out.
DO NOT PEEL, PICK, SCRAPE, SCRATCH, or use a mask or facial scrub on your skin. DO NOT use abrasive cloths or exfoliating sponges on any of the treated areas. Excessive sunlight should be avoided for at least one week following a peel and one week prior to your next peel visit.
How often should I do a Salicylic Acid Peel? A Salicylic Acid Peel is a progressive treatment that will not provide a final result with one peel. A Salicylic Acid Peel can be performed every 2-4 weeks depending on the condition of your skin.
Can glycolic acid be mixed with salicylic acid? You can certainly use glycolic acid and salicylic acid together, but we would suggest avoiding mixing them together. This is because combining such potent ingredients will cause a severe reaction to the skin, as well as potentially damaging the skin barrier.
According to Dr. Koo, retinol and glycolic (as well as other AHAs) have different functions. While glycolic effectively removes debris from the skin, retinol stimulates cell regeneration as well as the production of collagen and elastin, which lessens the appearance of wrinkles.
Don't use glycolic acid and retinol at the same time in your routine. Start by introducing one of them and use it consistently for a week, then switch to the other for a week. You may want to take additional time if you know you have sensitive skin.
The 20% TCA Peel is a medium strength peel, but it should be noted that TCA is stronger than other peels so moderate to significant peeling is expected. When the peel is applied you may feel a stinging sensation as the acid penetrates the skin. You can use a fan or an ice pack to alleviate any discomfort.