Salicylic peeling for the face - the effectiveness of the procedure, reviews of the results

Salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzene acid) was first isolated from willow bark (Salix) back in the 19th century. This beta hydroxy acid has keratolytic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. It is characterized by fairly high lipophilicity and causes exfoliation of the epidermis at the mouth of the hair follicle, thereby preventing the formation of comedones. Salicylic acid has a moderate irritating effect and does not penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, which, in turn, reduces the possibility of side effects during the post-peeling period.

Medical product, exfoliation material Salicylicpeel Medic Control Peel is presented in the form of a 15% or 25% solution of salicylic acid in isopropyl alcohol, which has excellent keratolytic and degreasing properties. Salicylic peels SALICYLICPEEL 15% and SALICYLICPEEL 25% belong to the group of superficial peels and are recommended for the treatment of oily and problematic skin, various forms of seborrhea, acne and post-acne. The procedure is carried out by a cosmetologist in a clinic, beauty salon, treatment room or other specialized institution.

Peeling action

The main active component of salicylic peeling is salicylic acid (SA). Previously, it was extracted from willow bark, now - in laboratories, synthetically.

A substance similar in effect is aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which is obtained by the interaction of acetic anhydride and SA and is more often used when cleaning the skin at home.

Effect on the dermal layers:

• effectively dries inflamed areas, eliminating and reducing the appearance of acne;
• exfoliates the stratum corneum;
• rejuvenates the skin, tones and smoothes it, promotes cell renewal;
• prevents clogging of pores, cleanses them, removing comedones (blackheads);
• reduces the activity of the sebaceous glands, keeping the skin matte for a long time.

By applying a composition to produce a controlled chemical burn. To achieve the desired result, SA-based products are used with a concentration of 15 to 30 percent. As a rule, strong concentrated solutions are combined with fruit or other acids to reduce skin trauma.

Attention! Since this type of peeling is chemical and if performed incorrectly is fraught with complications, it is recommended to carry it out in a salon under the guidance of a qualified cosmetologist.

Indications for use

Chemical peeling with salicylic acid is used for:

• solving problems with oily skin - eliminating greasy shine, reducing acne, narrowing and cleansing pores;
• eliminating traces of acne and post-acne, scars;
• combating hyperpigmentation;
• reducing signs of photoaging;
• softening the skin on the heels and elbows;
• combat seborrheic dermatitis, folliculitis.

Age indications: any age starting from 14 years.

Features of the course

Completing the course provides a more effective and prolonged effect. Its duration and frequency depend on the area being treated and the severity of the problem:

• facial cleansing - from 5 to 7 sessions every 1-2 weeks;
• treatment of hyperpigmentation - 8 sessions every 14 days;
• fight against hyperkeratosis - about 7 times every 7 days;
• peeling of hands and other parts of the body - up to 5 procedures every month.

How often should the course be repeated - approximately once every six months.

Kinds

Salicylic peeling is divided into:

• superficial peeling;

  
  The result of superficial salicylic peeling

• mid-superficial peeling.

  
  Medium superficial salicylic peeling

The surface type is considered gentle, it contains 15% acid. It is great for young skin, gets rid of blackheads and freckles, and is able to even out the complexion and delicately polish its surface.

The second type of peeling is a deep cleansing, it is performed with a composition with 30% acid. The substance evens out skin texture, treats scars, seborrhea, blemishes, tightens and smoothes the skin, and also gets rid of fine wrinkles. After this procedure, the skin becomes beautiful and tightened. The course of such cosmetological effects is 5-7 times; the break between this type of rejuvenation should be 7-14 days. If peeling of the epidermis of the hands is carried out, then 3-5 courses are performed, the interval between which is 30 days.

You might also be interested in ultrasonic peeling.

Types of peeling

Depending on the concentration of the active substance, salicylic chemical peeling is divided into the following types.

Surface

Works within the upper stratum corneum. A solution of 15–20% SA can be used to normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands and eliminate the effects of acne.

Median

Shows activity in the living layers of the epidermis to the basement membrane. Thanks to a more concentrated solution of salicylic acid (25–30 percent), it effectively smoothes scars, eliminates post-acne marks, and rejuvenates.

The depth of penetration and effect of the drug is affected by the concentration of the active substance and the level of acidity. The lower the pH, the deeper the product penetrates into the subcutaneous layers.

Note! Salicylic peeling can be used either alone or in combination with glycolic, fruit acid or enzymes (enzyme peeling). It is used not only for facial skin, but also for the skin of hands, feet, neck, and décolleté.

TYPES OF PEELINGS WITH SALICYLIC ACID

We recommend: What is FERUL PEELING FOR THE FACE: TOP 3 products + 3 home recipes

For ease of use, the products are presented in 2 different consistencies:

• In the form of a paste (for hardened tissues: elbows, hands, knees, etc.);
• As a liquid solution (for the face).

Cosmetic companies offer a choice of two acid concentration options:

Review of drugs

Ready-made products can be divided into 2 types:

• professional;
• for home use.

Professional

They exhibit antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic properties. Smoothes the skin, cleanses it and helps regulate the sebaceous glands. Prohibited for use at home. Before application, special preparation using the following preparations is recommended:

• cleansing mousse;
• pre-peeling cream;
• restorative cream - Vegefarma, Vegelip and others;
• sunscreen.

are also used during the cleaning process:

• cleansing;
• degreasing lotion;
• restorative creams.

Among salicylic peels, the following drugs are popular.

Peel Medical (USA/Russia)

The composition contains 20% SA. Acidity level (pH) - 2.5. Used for superficial peeling. Available in a 40 ml bottle, the price is approximately 1,750 rubles.

Salicylicpeel (Russia)

Available in 15% and 25% acid solutions. It can be used to perform both superficial and medium peeling. The drug is produced in a 30-ml bottle costing about 1200–1500 rubles, depending on the concentration and point of sale.

Salicylicpeel JS/Jessner Peeling (Russia)

It is a combination drug containing:

• 14% salicylic acid;
• 10% lactic acid;
• 14% resorcinol.

It has a complex effect, not only cleansing the skin, but also eliminating the first signs of aging. Release form: 30 ml. You can order or buy it for about 3,000 rubles.

Salicylic peeling with licorice extract (Likoberon, Russia)

Contains:

• 10% salicylic acid;
• licorice extract;
• glycerol;
• Macadamia oil is water soluble.

It has high penetrating ability with low irritant effect.

Available in 15 ml bottles costing about 730 rubles.

Salicylic peeling with phytocomplex and D-salicin (Likoberon)

Promotes intense stimulation of bioprocesses in the dermal layers, combats skin oiliness problems. Created based on:

• D-salicin;
• salicylic acid;
• extracts - willow bark, green tea, clover, licorice.

Available in a 15 ml bottle costing approximately 1,100 rubles.

Home Remedies

The composition contains salicylic acid in a less aggressive concentration. Carry out surface cleaning. They exhibit cleansing and tonic properties. Evens out skin color and texture, renews cells. Effective with regular use.

Holy Land (Israel)

Contains:

• salicylic, ascorbic, citric and lactic acids;
• extracts - blueberry, green tea, date, pomegranate, fig, lemon, orange, sugar cane and sugar maple.

Apply once every 1–2 weeks. Release form: 100 ml bottle priced at approximately 3,100 rubles.

Stopproblem (Russia)

Stopproblem peeling is based on salicylic acid and enzymes. The composition also contains extracts:

• Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata);
• white tea;
• sage and mint.

Apply up to 2 times a week. You can buy a 100 ml bottle for about 170 rubles.

HOW THE SESSION WORKS

To get the best result, your face needs to be prepared.

Preparation for the procedure

The process may take 2 to 3 weeks:

Peeling time is 20-40 minutes.

Salicylic exfoliation is done in a beauty salon or cosmetologist's office.

Having the procedure done by a specialist usually produces more noticeable results than home efforts.

Procedure protocol

Consists of 4 consecutive stages:

1. Cleansing. The skin is cleansed of makeup and external impurities, while an acid base is applied for more uniform exfoliation.
2. Degreasing. Using lotion or tonic.
3. Peeling. The product is applied in layers (with a cotton pad or swab) in the following sequence: frontal lobe, temples, chin area, cheeks, nose, and can be applied to the eyelids. After each film has dried, a new one is applied. 3 minutes after the last layer has dried, you need to clean your face of the product.
4. Regeneration. After removing the mask, cool and disinfect with aloe gel. The product forms a protective film and accelerates healing.

IMPORTANT! A slight tingling or burning sensation during application is normal. If your face starts to burn more intensely, you need to immediately neutralize the peeling, otherwise a thermal burn is possible.

The cosmetologist chooses the percentage of acid based on the condition of the client’s skin and the desired result.

Salicylic peeling at home

As in the salon, home care should be carried out according to a certain pattern. Sessions cannot be performed more than once every 10 days. Ideal course duration: 1.5-2 months.

TOP 5 best purchased peelings

Popular brands of salicylic peels are produced in Korea and China.

The beauty industry is highly developed in these countries: all cosmetics are created based on folk recipes that have been tested over the years.

The experience of Asian countries gradually began to be adopted by European countries and Russia. New manufacturers patent their own compositions. Popular brands usually include:

• ALLURA ESTHETICS and PEEL MEDICAL (USA),
• SESDERMA (Spain),
• DERMAGENETIC (Greece),
• NEOVIAL (Spain).

① Mediderma BY SESDERMA

Salicylic peeling penetrates well into tissues, exfoliates, relieves inflammation and dries out inflammatory elements.

Suitable for epidermis with increased sebum secretion, various types of seborrhea, acne and acne scars.

Pros:

• Can be used on oily skin;
• Harmless for dark-skinned patients: the color remains even.

Approved for use only by specialists!

The MEDIDERMA brand (Spain) offers 4 types of salicylic peeling:

• 10 percent;
• two 25 percent;
• 30 percent.

SALIPEEL preparations allow you to combine exfoliation with cleansing:

• The products are applied in a thin layer.
• Then the face is cleaned mechanically using the included spoon or spear.
• The locations of the rashes, after they have been eliminated, are spot-treated with the drug.
• After drying, the application of layers continues to the required amount.

2 application methods

MEDIDERMA brand preparations can be applied in a hard and soft way:

Cost of drugs: from 6500 rubles.

② MARTINEX line

MARTINEX preparations (Russia) are used on different parts of the body.

They are superficial products and are suitable for people with different skin types.

The brand’s product line has two categories of drugs : acid solution 15% and 20%.

Both products normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, fight acne, seborrhea, post-acne, whiten and rejuvenate the epidermis.

The course consists of 10 sessions, no more than once every 10 days.

Cost of funds: from 3,000 rubles.

③ Salycilic Peel 15% from ALLURA ESTHETICS

Salicylic acid in the composition of the drug allows you to exfoliate horn cells, acts as an antiseptic and prevents the occurrence of sebaceous plugs.

The reagent acts in a gentle manner without destroying the deep layers of the dermis. Due to this, the risk of complications is low.

Used in the treatment of acne, seborrhea, against spider veins and signs of aging. Also prescribed as preparation for TCA exfoliation.

Allowed to be used only by cosmetologists and dermatologists.

The course includes 4-6 sessions weekly.

A 30 ml bottle costs RUB 1,750.

④ Salycilic Peel 30% from PEEL MEDICAL

The drug has good keratolytic (exfoliating) properties.

It is used in the treatment of increased sebum secretion, scar tissue, acne, etc.

It has antiseptic properties, prevents the development of mycoses and the occurrence of inflammatory elements.

Suitable for professional use only.

A 40 ml bottle costs RUB 1,850.

⑤ Salicylic acid 2% from NEOVIAL

The drug has keratolytic properties, treats blackheads, whitens, eliminates the appearance of acne scars, and tightens the oval of the face.

Often prescribed along with mesopeeling and anti-aging therapy. Helps remove age spots and trigger the natural renewal of collagen and elastin fibers.

A 5 ml bottle costs 190 rubles.

Preparatory stage

Both superficial and medium salicylic peels require certain preparation. In 2 weeks you should:

• refuse solariums, baths, saunas, aggressive cosmetic procedures;
• use sunscreen when going outside.

It is advisable to quit smoking a few days before cleansing.

Attention! It is recommended to clean with a salicylic solution during the period of least sun activity - early spring (March) or late autumn.

Before the session, you should tell your doctor if you have any health problems or are taking medications. At the same time, contraindications, ways to achieve results, possible complications, as well as the advisability of using preparatory means based on:

• hydroxy acids;
• tretinoin;
• hydroquinone;
• kojic acid.

Such drugs are prescribed 2–6 weeks before salicylic peeling.

How to care for your skin after the procedure?

If a woman has done aspirin-based facial peeling, then she will have to limit herself to certain procedures for some time. First of all, you should forget about going to the bathhouse, sauna, solarium and pools with chlorinated water. It is necessary to avoid exposure to sunlight, cover your head with a headscarf, and put on hats or panama hats before each exit from the house. You will need to regularly cleanse your face with lotion, and additionally nourish it with a moisturizer.

What skin care is needed after facial peeling, read here.

The duration of the rehabilitation period after exposure to salicylic acid is 7 days. It is during this period that it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations of cosmetologists.

Aspirin peeling is a proven method of rejuvenating the epidermis, allowing you to restore your skin to its former beauty and radiance.

The essence of the procedure

As a rule, professional salicylic peeling is done in a salon.

To avoid skin injury and complications, you should contact a cosmetologist with appropriate education and sufficient experience in performing such procedures.

Despite the fact that the stages of salicylic cleansing look quite simple, it is necessary to correctly determine the effective concentration of the solution and the exposure time of the active component to achieve the desired result.

Application stages

The SK cleaning protocol includes the following steps:

1. Cleansing using soft milk or special wipes.
2. Degreasing with a special lotion. This is necessary in order to avoid the reaction of acid with fats, as a result of which it does not penetrate into the deep layers of the dermis.
3. Using a special brush, the chemical composition is applied starting from the areas with the least sensitivity. The face is covered in 2-3 layers. At this time, the patient may feel a tingling or slight burning sensation, which is considered normal. The exposure lasts for 3–5 minutes. To reduce discomfort, a stream of cold air can be directed to the treated area. If the burning becomes unbearable, the solution is washed off immediately.
4. Next, washing is carried out - either with water or a special neutralizer.
5. At the end of the session, the cosmetologist applies a soothing and anti-inflammatory mask.

Healing period

Immediately after the session you may experience:

• redness;
• tightness;
• swelling;
• slight burning sensation.

On the second or third day after salicylic peeling, severe peeling of the upper skin layer begins. This is an expected reaction that is necessary for skin renewal. Peeling continues for a week, and the lower dermal layers are actively renewed. It is impossible to rip off flaking particles. Otherwise, you can injure the vulnerable dermis and cause scars to appear.

Care after salicylic peeling requires special care, as renewed skin needs intensive hydration and protection. Shown:

• drinking plenty of water;
• daily application of moisturizer;
• protecting your skin from the sun's rays with sunscreen;
• the use of topical steroids to relieve inflammation and prevent the appearance of pigmentation.

Rules of application

In order for products containing acids to bring only benefits to the skin, you should follow simple recommendations:

• Stick to the dosage strictly. This will help avoid unexpected results.
• Protect skin from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This will help avoid pigmentation.
• Do an allergy test. Before using the product, apply it to an inconspicuous area of ​​the skin. If itching or redness does not appear after a while, you can use the composition on the face.

Showroom price

To understand how much it costs to cleanse your skin with salicylic acid in a salon, you need to consider several factors that influence the cost:

• types of cleaning and solution concentration - 2000–5000 rubles for superficial peeling with an acid ratio of up to 20% and within 6000 rubles for medium cleaning;
• treated area - cleansing the neck will cost about 1,500 rubles, the cost of cleaning the décolleté and face will be more expensive - up to 6,000 rubles;
• prestige of the clinic;
• professionalism of the master.

Contraindications for carrying out

Considering that peeling the face and other parts of the body with salicylic (acetylsalicylic) acid is a rather aggressive procedure, there are contraindications to its implementation. Thus, you cannot use dry cleaning with SK if:

• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding;
• infectious, inflammatory processes;
• herpetic rashes;
• allergies to components of the composition;
• skin hypersensitivity;
• taking hypoglycemic drugs, zinc oxide, resorcinol and recent use of isotretinoin;
• the presence of a large number of moles, warts and other formations at the site of intended application of the composition.

Salicylic peeling is also contraindicated for rosacea, as it can cause serious irritation. It should also not be carried out in the summer to avoid the appearance of age spots.

FAQ

What to choose: glycolic or salicylic peeling?

The glycolic drug has similar effects to salicylic. However, it is more suitable for whitening and lightening freckles and getting rid of age spots. Salicylic exfoliation should be preferred for problem skin.

Which peeling is better: milk or salicylic?

The drugs have different purposes. Milk peeling is more suitable for moisturizing dry skin and slowing down cell aging. Salicylic facial peeling helps against acne, age spots, expression lines and scars.

Almond or salicylic peeling?

Almond should be preferred in the summer or if there are contraindications to salicylic. Mandelic acid tightens the skin, has a whitening and antioxidant effect, and neutralizes harmful bacteria.

Retinol or salicylic peeling: which is better?

Yellow peeling has a deep effect, but is gentle on the base. Its effect is very similar to salicylic, however, the drug is classified as a medical product and should be used only as prescribed by a doctor under the strict supervision of a professional. If the dosage is incorrect and the procedure is violated, serious complications may occur.

Side effects

If cleaning is carried out in violation of the application protocol, the following problems may arise:

• chemical burn;
• inflammation - manifested by severe redness and swelling that does not go away for more than 2 days;
• dehydration of the epidermis;
• herpes activity.

Important point! Some patients may experience an active rash. As a rule, after completing the course recommended by the cosmetologist, it goes away without a trace.

It may also turn out that there is no peeling after peeling. This may happen due to:

• features of peeling - gentle products have a gentle effect on the skin, cleansing it without peeling;
• little time has passed - you need to wait from 1 to 3 days for the stratum corneum to begin to peel off intensively;
• the patient has a resistant epidermis - this type of skin is characterized by increased resistance to damage and rarely peels off even after the most intense cleansing;
• the surface of the dermis has already been cleaned - previous cleansing sessions have completely eliminated the stratum corneum.

Comparison with other chemical peels

Other types of chemical cleaning with acids are also used in cosmetology.

Based on fruit acids

This type of peeling is also called AHA (alpha hydroxy acid). It is carried out with lactic, mandelic or glycolic acid for the purpose of rejuvenation and general improvement of the skin. It does not exhibit sebum-regulating properties and is more gentle, unlike salicylic peeling.

Retinoic

Also known as “yellow” and retinol. The effect occurs due to retinoic acid. Rejuvenates, cleanses, heals mature skin. Helps eliminate scars, pimples, acne marks and post-acne. It is not recommended for use by persons under 35 years of age, unlike salicylic acid cleansing, which is used even in adolescents.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) cleaning

One of the most traumatic peelings. Recommended for eliminating problems that more gentle salicylic peeling cannot cope with.

Facial acids - which ones are used.

Acids for facial skin are time-tested helpers. Their effects have been confirmed and there is no reason to doubt the expected results. All that remains is to understand which acids need to be used, in what concentration and to eliminate which problems. Almost all brands use acids as active components of skincare products. For example, in Renophase cosmetics, the use of acids is defined as a guiding idea.

ANA, BHA, and PHA acids are used in cosmetics. We will not go into chemistry, especially since what is accepted in the established understanding and notation does not correspond to the classification of chemists.

For us,

AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) are fruit acids, the most common being glycolic, lactic, mandelic, malic, tartaric, and citric.

BHA (beta hydroxy acid), a salicylic acid, is found in birch and willow bark. For the first time, it was obtained from willow.

PHA (polyhydroxy acids) is the result of research aimed at reducing the degree of irritation of acids to the skin. RHA is used for sensitive, dry and aging skin. The most common are gluconolactone and lactobionic acid.

Opinion of cosmetologists

If you look at the reviews of cosmetologists, this doctor prefers a 25% solution to combat oily skin and acne, and Jessner’s peeling is one of her favorites when you need to have a comprehensive effect on the microrelief.

A cosmetologist talks about how to avoid mistakes when applying salicylic compounds in this review. He says it is important to degrease the skin with lotion or regular alcohol. Otherwise, the natural fat film will prevent the penetration of the peeling. He also notes that salicylic and Jessner peels do not lose their properties during storage.

The cosmetologist in this review warns against using a professional product at home. Especially if you plan to carry out a mid-cleaning. He says that all peels differ in composition and it is necessary to correctly determine which one is suitable for a particular patient, and whether it is needed at all. Explains that proper pre-peeling preparation and subsequent care are also important. She also emphasizes that professional products are allowed for sale only to specialists and are not allowed for sale for domestic purposes.

Patient reviews

The patient from this review notes that after cleansing the skin became very smooth, fine wrinkles and blackheads disappeared, and scars were partially smoothed out. Small rashes appeared, which the cosmetologist warned her about.

The patient from this review considers salicylic peeling a useless procedure. How many times should you take it according to the cosmetologist? This is the course I took. Peeling began only after the 3rd session, each time I felt a strong burning sensation, and the skin became covered with red spots. He notes that after a full course, the face became smoother, but the main problem - acne - was not solved by peeling.

The following patient is completely satisfied with the results of cleansing with salicylic acid. He says that this was the only peeling that helped to effectively tighten pores for a long time. Blackheads were eliminated and the overall condition of the skin improved. She notes that the result lasted for about a month, during which she did not even need to use concealing cosmetics or acne removers.

A patient shares her experience of using StopProblem peeling in this review. He says that after the first application the results are not visible, but with regular use the skin condition improves.

Salicylic peeling is not a panacea, but it can improve the condition of the skin both externally and at the cellular level. To do this, you need to trust an experienced specialist and mentally prepare for unpleasant sensations during and after the procedure. And then the result will be healthy, tightened and clean skin for a long time.