Glycolic Peels
Glycolic Peels – Looking Good with Sugar Cane
Glycolic peel
One type of facial peel that people usually undergo is the glycolic peels. This chemical peel works with the utilization of glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is naturally derived from sugar cane. This acid is a subtype of what is called Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). Categorized as a fruit acid (together with citric acid and lactic acid), it is a mild solution used in chemical peels.
What does it treat?
Since glycolic acid has an exfoliating action, it mainly brightens and renews the skin. In addition to skin revitalization, glycolic peels can be for removal of blemishes and treatment of fine lines/wrinkles. With regular peels or applications, it could remedy dry marks (solar keratoses) and age spots as well.
These glycolic peels might also be effective for people with acne. However, if an individual has moderate to severe acne, it would be recommendable to treat the acne first before doing the glycolic peels course of therapy. If the case is a mild-type of acne, it is completely alright to carry out the peeling immediately.
How does a glycolic peel work?
Glycolic acid, with its high level of acidity, works its way through the damaged superficial layers of a person’s skin and loosens or destroys the glue-like substances that hold the dead skin cells to the surface. As the dead surface skin is chemically peeled off, a healthier and fresher skin is uncovered.
Glycolic peel at home
An alternative to busy people who do not have the luxury of time to go to beauty clinics to get glycolic peels, or to folks who do not have the money to pay for the more expensive professional treatments are glycolic peels that could be bought and done at the comfort of people’s homes. It usually will take 10 to 15 minutes to do. Glycolic acid concentrations would range from 20% to 70%.
Before initiating glycolic peels at home, people need to thoroughly cleanse their faces first. After cleanings, the peel agent is applied and left for 3 minutes. It will mildly sting. The glycolic solution is then rinsed with a neutralizer and water.
For best results
Bottled glycolic peels should be used regularly. A number of people would perform 8-10 peels before doing a monthly or twice-a-week cycle. It is important to take not that glycolic peels need to have a break of 1 or 2 weeks between sessions. This is to give time for the facial skin to gradually adjust and recover from the sloughing and peeling off processes.
Price tag of a glycolic peel
The glycolic peels, which can be done at home, can be as cheap as $15. When it comes to the ones done by experts, cost of mild glycolic peels usually is from $150 to $300. On the other hand, a chemical peel of the deeper or stronger type will equate to around $2000 to $7000 (includes consultation, medication and hospital fees, etc.)
Safety matters
Besides its beautification purposes, glycolic acid is known for its industrial uses. This acid is industrially utilized as a rust remover and degreaser. Hence, pure glycolic acid (a concentration of 70% or more) is very dangerous to human skin. Actually, any product with a glycolic acid titration of above 10% is already considered by the government to be hazardous material. So if people are planning to make use of the home glycolic peels, it is imperative that they consult a doctor such as a dermatologist before utilizing these products.