Acne poses a difficult and hideous predicament that invariably leaves bad scars on the skin, turning the person perpetually withdrawn and shy. And the worst news is that acne affects a person in that phase of his or her life, when it is so important to look and feel good. There are various acidic and some even organic solutions that have been used for decades to eradicate these scars, notable among them being glycolic acid solution in the form of a peel. But does the peel really work to effectively remove these scars. This is what we are trying to find out here. However, before doing that, it may be prudent to see how the scars are made so that the action of the peel may be better understood.
Our skin, as you know, has natural moisturizers in the form of sebaceous glands that produce oil. Acne-causing bacteria (p.Acne) metabolize this oil and the process become irritating to the skin. As the skin becomes more and more aggravated, the fine hair follicles within the skin start getting clogged and soon become full of debris that include dead cells, stale oil and dirt. As soon as the sensitive skin becomes aware of the collected debris, it tries to remove the garbage, and this is what caused pimples on the skin. When the pimples burst or are picked by hand, they get further infected, forming open wounds and the infection spreads leading to more acne. When the wounds are eventually healed, scars are formed. Acne scars are similar to other scars in that, they are the result of wounds that have healed, leaving collagen behind.
Now, let us see how glycolic acid peels help remove the acne scars in a simple but slightly invasive process. When the GA or glycolic acid peel is applied to the affected skin area, the thin upper layer of the skin gets dissolved and is removed and this is what causes a minor wound that heals automatically. The removal process somewhat depends on the strength of the acidic content of the peel. More the strength, deeper will be the removal. However, the acidic content of the peel is pre-determined by an experienced dermatologist or a medical doctor who first examines the skin condition before any action can be taken. This is of course the best course of action and is thus recommended.
However slow action, lower acidic content Glycolic peel, colloquially called Lunchtime Peel may be applied at home with or without the supervision of a medical doctor if a second person is available nearby. Strength of Glycolic peels can be lowered if necessary with baking soda and water and in any case, plain water always neutralizes glycolic acid instantaneously. However, to achieve better result, Retin-A may be combined with glycolic acid in the right proportion.
Apart from the care that should accompany acne scar removal, the pre-peel precautions are also crucial for the success of the operation which includes patient compliance to a great extent. Though most glycolic acid peels have a maximum acid concentration of 10% and pH that is greater than 3.5%, which is well tolerated by most people, yet individual tests are necessary to determine the tolerance level of the person on whom the peel is to be applied. This extra precaution will diminish the chance of post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation and other related hazards. Incidentally, it may be relevant to note that although the technique of the glycolic acid peel is more or les similar to other peels, its depth is time-dependant and therefore, counting time is of paramount importance when dealing with the GA peel. Even if the situation tends to go beyond control, water should be kept ready all the while to neutralize the acidic effect on the bare skin. However, the glycolic acid peel for removal of the acne scar may be applied according to the following regime. For medium depth peel (papillary or reticular dermis – 0.5 mm) = every 6 to 12 months, for deep peel (mid-reticular dermis – 0.6 mm) it should not be more than once a year.
Here are a few tips on the use of glycolic acid peels in a safer way.
* Instead of applying glycolic acid peel at home, it may be a better idea to locate a licensed dermatologist nearby and take his/her help in the operation. Seeking professional help always makes sense unless you have carried out adequate research and know the subject well.
* If no such dermatologist is available nearby, seek medical attention for the job. Remember, once the face becomes disfigured with an application of extra-high powered peel, it may give rise to more complication than the scars.
* Apply a doctor or dermatologist certified cream after removal of the peel.
* Beware of exposure to the rays of the sun for at least two to three weeks after the scar has been removed.