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An effective treatment to diminish the appearance of wrinkles is
chemical peels that consist of a substance being applied to the skin
and left to sit. When the mask is peeled off, old dead skin cells
are peeled off with it, revealing the smoother and younger looking
skin that lies underneath. Glycolic acid is one of the chemicals
that are used in this peeling procedure.
Glycolic acid is the smallest member of the family of AHAs
(hydroxyl acids) that is used in the mildest form of chemical peel.
This type of peel only penetrates the surface of the skin, causing
the least amount irritation and side effects of the three types of
chemical peels. Due to its mildness, this is the chemical that is
most often used in peels and treatments that are designed to be used
at home.
This type of acid is found in sugar products such as sugar beets
and sugarcane as well as other sources such as grapes that have not
yet ripened and cantaloupe. The acid that is used in a chemical peel
is either extracted from these natural sources or developed in a
lab.
The glycolic acid works by penetrating under the upper layer of
skin to loosen the substance that holds the old dead skin cells in
place. The acid burns through this holding ingredient and the dead
cells are washed away. During this process, the acid can also draw
on the skin’s natural moisturizers and direct them to the new skin
cells that have been exposed. When the peel is finished, the acid
can be simply neutralized with regular water.
As with any other type of chemical peel, the use of glycolic acid
may leave the skin looking red and irritated. You should make sure
that you use sunscreen anytime you are outside for several weeks
after one of these treatments.
As with any chemical peel, a procedure which utilizes glycolic
acid should be discussed with your doctor to decide if it is the
best treatment program for you, especially if you have a darker
complexion as these peels can cause your skin to have lighter
colored splotches. Your doctor can let you know if these peels are
safe for you to use.
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