Salycilic Acid

General Information:

Salicylic acid is a mild acid that works to treat acne by breaking down the scale (dead skin cells) that causes hair follicles to become blocked. It’s a safe, effective treatment for mild acne.

• Salycilic acids encourages exfoliation of excess dead skin cells (scale) by breaking down the cell walls between groups of skin cells.
• Salycilic acid increases cell turnover (regrowth) by causing exfoliation of dead skin cells. Increasing cell turnover helps to reestablish the normal skin-cell replacement cycle.
• For mild acne, salicylic acid works to unclog pores to resolve and prevent acne lesions.
• Salycilic acid does not have any effect on the production of sebum or the presence of p.acne bacteria. 
• Like many non-prescription topical acne treatments, salicylic acid must be used continuously, even after acne lesions have healed.
• The approved range of salicylic acid concentrations for acne treatment is 0.5%–2%.

• Salicylic acid is present in many “over-the-counter” acne products, including lotions, creams, alcohol-based solutions and medicated pads. As with any product, read the label carefully and follow the instructions for proper use.

Side Effects:

• Salycilic acid can be very drying to the skin, even at low concentrations. The most common side effect, dryness, is usually mild. If the skin is visibly scaly, apply a light oil-free moisturizer.
• Children are more likely than adults to get skin irritation from salicylic acid. If irritation persists, it can normally be treated by decreasing frequency of use. If irritation is severe or persists even with infrequent application, discontinue use.
• Salycilic acid may be harmful if used in high concentrations or over large areas of the body during pregnancy or breast feeding. Contact your local acne physician to learn more about the side effects of salycilic acid.
• Because of the potential for dying, flaking , redenss and swelling, the following products should be avoided while using salycilic acid:
  • Abrasive soaps or cleansers .
  • Alcohol-containing preparations.
  • Any other topical acne preparation or preparation containing a peeling agent (benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, sulfur, or tretinoin [vitamin A acid]).
  • Cosmetics or soaps that dry the skin.
  • Medicated cosmetics.
  • Other topical skin medicine.