Acne treatments: Salicylic acid

Dr Neil PERSADSINGH

Monday, July 18, 2011

SALICYLIC acid is one of the best and most popular acne treatments worldwide. It is used in acne because it cleans out the pores and helps to prevent break-outs.

If you use it regularly it will clear away any dead cells that build up, making the skin look clean and healthy.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid and is best for oily skin. This is because beta hydroxy acids are fat soluble — that is they dissolve out the lipids and the fats and find their best use with oily skin, as against alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid which are better for dry skin.

You must always use a moisturiser after using salicylic acid as this will help the skin maintain its natural pH. Do not use salicylic acid if your skin is irritated, broken, or if it is sun burnt.

In low concentrations, salicylic acid is one of the best treatments for sensitive skin and it will always dry out greasy skin.

It also has the effect of reducing the size of pores but it must be used regularly.

Once you get your acne to settle down, salicylic acid is used as a maintenance treatment to keep the acne lesions from forming and it will burst any new acne bumps which form deep in the skin. This medicine is very safe and can be used in pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding. It comes in various concentrations varying from 0.5 per cent to three per cent. You must always start at the lower concentration and work up.

You must always use a sun block after using salicylic acid as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. This is especially important if you have dark skin.

By removing the skin cells from the surface, the acid's exfoliating properties also stimulate the dermis to produce more collagen and helps the skin to look younger.

Salicylic acid, in addition to being a good anti acne treatment, is also used in shampoos and in dermatology generally. Salicylic acid is available in many over-the-counter preparations. Just read the labels on the various cleansers and toners to find which one is good for you.

Dr Persadsingh is a skin specialist and author of Acne in Black Women and The Hair in Black Women. He can be contacted at 960-2797.