Glycolic Acid Peels
Glycolic acid peels are among the most controversial and hotly debated methods of skin care. Glycolic acid is one of the alpha hydroxy acids which is derived from sugar cane, and it has application in both skin care and industry. Heavy concentrations of this acid are used in removing rust and grease from industrial components. These concentrations are obviously far more powerful than the ones which are applied to the skin as part of a health treatment. The concentration of glycolic acid used in skin treatments varies enormously depending on the type of treatment, and it is this which has led to the controversy.
Some governments have ruled that a concentration of more than 10% of glycolic acid in a skin product makes it a hazard. This is totally at odds with the opinion of many in the skin care industry. There is a widely held belief that the concentration needs to be higher than this for the compound to take effect. Even though this belief is widely held, very few established chemical companies are prepared to go against these government guidelines. Not because producing a stronger product is in any way unlawful, because it isn’t, but purely to avoid potential liability in lawsuits from people whose skin has been damaged.
Glycolic acid peels have a concentration far above the government’s guidelines, and are best applied by a trained dermatologist. Don’t attempt to treat yourself in this way unless you are absolutely sure that you can carry out the treatment in the correct way, and also that you are sure you can handle the side effects which are a direct consequence of the high concentration of the chemical. It is sure to cause some degree of concern when your face looks visibly burnt, even if you have been assured that the damage is only temporary, and that the problem will subside in its own time. Working in conjunction with a trained dermatologist will go a long way towards allaying these fears.
Using these chemical peels is only really recommended if you have tried other treatments with milder solutions, and these have not worked for you. The main problem with the chemical peel treatment is the inevitable side effects of burnt looking skin. It takes some time, even up to a week, for the noticeable damage caused by the concentrated compound to subside. While this is happening, you still have to go about your daily life, and you won’t want to try and use other treatments to try to relieve symptoms, treatments which may interfere with your primary objective.
The choice to go in for a treatment of this type is not one to take lightly. If you have family, you should definitely talk it through with them first. You should really try a milder solution first to gauge the results. If your skin situation is such that it definitely needs a concentrated chemical peel, then make sure you take time out to prepare yourself psychologically to deal with the side effects. The results for many people have justified the time and the risk taken, as a very difficult skin condition can be brought right under control. Be prepared, and be sure, but if you are, you can get satisfying results from glycolic acid peels.