What is a Glycolic Peel?

Every woman would like to look beautiful and radiant. But unfortunately, age, sun damage, and improper skin care leads to dull skin with brown spots, crows feet and wrinkles. Just using an overnight cream and anti aging lotion is not going to work to remove them. You need something stronger to get rid of this pesky skin problems and attain smooth and wrinkle free skin. Glycolic peel is one such dermatological treatment that helps to give you smooth blemish free skin. So what is a glycolic peel? A glycolic peel is a method by which glycolic acid is applied to the skin's surface which helps to exfoliate the skin. It works on the upper layer of the skin and removes dead skin cells that gives your skin a dull and lackluster appearance. Here we are going to discuss what is a glycolic facial peel and how it can help you to get your radiance back.

Glycolic Acid Peeling

To know how a glycolic peel works, you must first know about glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid that is derived from sugarcane extract. In the cosmetic industry, glycolic acid with a very reduced strength is used as a glycolic peel. In many skin care products, you will find glycolic acid listed as one of the ingredients used. The strength of glycolic acid in such skin acre products is very low and if you want effective results undergoing a glycolic acid peel under the supervision of a certified dermatologist is recommended.

A glycolic acid peel helps to smoothen out the complexion and get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, uneven skin tone and acne scars. Glycolic peel can be done on the hands, neck and chest although mostly it is done on the face. Mature skin which is dehydrated and has lost some of the elasticity can also benefit from a glycolic peel. It works by stimulating the skin which results in production of collagen. However, these peels are not for everyone as there are some glycolic acid side effects. People with very sensitive skin should stay away from such peels since they might experience swelling, redness and in some cases scarring. Having said that glycolic acid peels are the mildest of all chemical peels and women had been generally satisfied with the results. Glycolic acid and skin care are closely related.

The procedure for this type of peel is generally done in a dermatologist's office and it might take up to an hour to perform. It is an in office procedure and a person can resume his/her daily activities after the peel. Four to five sittings are generally required to get good results. During the peeling process, the dermatologist cleans the skin and then applies a thin coat of glycolic acid of a recommended strength. The strength of the acid applied depends upon several factors like skin condition, age and severity of the skin condition. After about ten minutes, a neutralizing solution is applied on the skin and the skin is cleansed of all traces of the acid. You might experience slight tingling and a burning sensation. But this is quite normal. The dermatologist will apply a medicated sunscreen after which you can resume your normal activities. You will feel that your skin has become tighter and your complexion is clear and even.

This was all about glycolic acid peel. Glycolic acid peel is great for women who are looking to get rid of wrinkles and sun spots. It is also quite effective for acne scars and for reducing the appearance of large pores. Glycolic acid peels for acne have received a lot of positive response. However, it is best to know about chemical peel side effects before you get it done. After care in the form of reduced sun exposure and application of a sunscreen is a must. Now that you know what a glycolic peel is, you can consider this for eliminating sun damage and other signs of aging.