Salicylic acid was first isolated from the bark of the willow and has long been used to treat certain diseases. Today this substance is synthesized and widely used in medicine, cosmetology, food industry and other fields. And also salicylic acid - an excellent remedy against acne - a problem that worries a large part of women.
The use of salicylic acid in cosmetology and dermatology
Salicylic acid has the following effect:
- antiseptic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- keratolytic (dissolution of the upper stratified corneum layer);
- keratoplastic (increased tissue epithelialization).
Due to this, salicylic acid is a part of many preparations for external use - ointments, pastes, powders, solutions, as well as creams, lotions, etc. This substance is used for the following indications:
- increased sweating;
- eczema;
- seborrhea;
- redheads;
- pityriasis lichen;
- psoriasis and others.
Also, preparations of salicylic acid are used to soften and remove corns, coarse skin.
Salicylic Acid Acne and Acne
Salicylic acid is an effective and cheap remedy for acne on the face, back, and chest, but use it with caution. In the pharmacy you can buy one or two percent alcohol solution of salicylic acid. Large concentrations for this purpose can not be used.
Salicylic acid is able to penetrate deeply into the comedone, dissolve skin fat, so it prevents clogging the ducts of the sebaceous glands and cleans them. In addition, it destroys bacteria that cause inflammation of comedones.
Also this substance fights with post-acne, the spots remaining from acne due to keratoplastic action. That is, the epidermis tissues are renewed more actively, and in place of small scars, healthy skin appears.
How to use salicylic acid to treat acne?
Apply salicylic acid solution can be 1 to 2 times a day. If there are few acne, then it is better to apply more precisely, and if a lot - to wipe with a cotton disc moistened with salicylic acid solution all affected areas, avoiding the area around the eyes and lips. After a few minutes, rinse your face with water. Then you can apply a moisturizer.
Alcohol solution of salicylic acid (a few drops) can be added to masks, for example, with cosmetic clay, and apply them once a week.
It turns out that even ordinary aspirin in tablets can be used to fight acne, because it contains salicylic acid. The simplest recipe with aspirin: crush 4 - 5 tablets and dilute them with warm water until a paste. Apply to the skin for 15 minutes, then rinse off with water. In this mask, you can also add various components: baking soda, honey, kefir, etc.
Side effects of salicylic acid
If you violate the rules for the use of salicylic acid, non-observance of the time of exposure, there may be side effects:
- irritation, redness;
- itching, scaling of the skin;
- burn.
Salicylic acid in the form of an alcohol solution can not be used on the entire surface if the skin is dry. Also, you can not use it more than twice a day, because in response to excessive drying the skin can lead to increased secretion of sebum as a response. It is not recommended to combine the use of salicylic acid with other drugs from acne (zinerite, basiron, etc.). Also, you should refrain from funds with salicylic acid during pregnancy, especially with a high concentration, since the substance is easily absorbed into the skin.
The main thing - remember that acne does not appear by themselves and is not an ordinary cosmetic defect, but signals that something is wrong in the body. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to find out the reason causing their appearance, and try to eliminate it.