Glycolic acid is a gentle fruit acid. It’s one of the alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, found in wide range of anti-aging and skin care products. Varying concentrations of glycolic acid are used in chemical face peels.
Glycolic acid’s benefits are many. Glycolic acid can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Glycolic acid can help to eliminate scars and sun damage. It can treat skin conditions such as melasma and keratosis pilaris.
A natural exfoliant, glycolic acid can assist in the shedding of dead surface skin cells to keep skin looking fresh and bright. It can also penetrate and clear pores to treat the symptoms of acne. According to recent research from the University of Maryland Medical Center, glycolic acid can stimulate the skin to produce more collagen and elastin, substances which help to keep skin supple and flexible and fight the appearance of wrinkles.
Glycolic Acid Peel Strengths
Glycolic acid is available in a number of concentrations. Many home chemical peel products contain 10 to 20% glycolic acid. These light strengths are considered safe for unsupervised home use. Medium strength solutions of 30 to 40% are used to deliver slightly deeper peels. Deep peels may be administered using a 50% glycolic acid solution. Maximum depth peels may contain as much as 70% glycolic acid. Concentrations above 30% are considered professional strength, and should only be administered in a dermatologist’s office. Generally, the stronger the peel solution, the more effective the treatment, though light treatments can often give the same results when used regularly over time.
Glycolic Acid Face Peel Light Treatments (10 to 20%)
Light glycolic acid treatments contain 10 to 20% glycolic acid. These treatments form the basis of many home chemical peel kits. Light treatments can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and help to keep skin supple and firm. Light treatments can exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells to keep skin looking bright. They can clear clogged pores to minimize acne symptoms.
Light Glycolic Acid Treatments:
- Exfoliate dead cells from the surface of the skin
- Improve skin’s texture and tone
- Clear pores to treat acne
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and mild sun damage
- Stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, to keep skin supple
- Stimulate the growth of new skin cells by removing old ones
Shop for light glycolic acid face peels.
Glycolic Acid Face Peel Medium Treatments (30 to 40%)
Medium-strength glycolic acid face peel treatments are professional-strength peels. They are appropriate for those with hardier skin, or for those who have experience using milder peel formulas. These peels penetrate deeper than mild strength solutions, to remove more of the surface of your skin and produce more dramatic results.
Medium-depth peels can do all that mild peels do, and more. They can treat hyperpigmentation issues, such as melasma. If you suffer from blotchiness of skin tone due to more severe sun damage, medium-depth peels can help restore your original skin tone. Medium glycolic peels can treat skin conditions such as keratosis pilaris, and can improve the appearance of scars and blemishes.
Medium Glycolic Acid Face Peels:
- Improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crepiness
- Improve the appearance of moderate scarring
- Improve the appearance of moderate sun damage
- Treat hyperpigmentation problems, such as melasma
- Treat skin conditions, such as keratosis pilaris
- Improve skin’s tone and texture
- Stimulate collagen and elastin production, for supple skin
- Exfoliate dead surface cells to keep skin looking fresh
- Stimulate the growth of new skin cells
Learn more about medium glycolic peels.
Glycolic Acid Face Peel Deep and Maximum Treatments (50 to 70%)
Glycolic acid face peel deep and maximum treatments are the strongest glycolic acid peels available. They should be administered by a professional. In these peels, glycolic acid may be mixed with other peeling agents, such as trichloracetic acid (TCA) for results more dramatic than those available from glycolic acid alone.
Glycolic acid deep and maximum peel treatments are used to improve more dynamic wrinkles and crepiness. They can improve more severe scarring, sun damage, and pigmentation irregularities. Because they are stronger, these peels can penetrate deeper into the skin for more dramatic results. Because glycolic acid is gentler on skin, it is safer than some deep peel agents such as phenol.
Glycolic Acid Face Peel Deep and Maximum Treatments:
- Improve the appearance of deep wrinkles and crepiness
- Improve the appearance of moderate to severe scarring and sun damage
- Improve skin’s tone and texture
- Reduce the appearance of large pores
- Stimulate the production of collagen and elastin
- Treat hyperpigmentation problems, such as melasma
- Treat skin conditions, such as acne
- Exfoliate dead surface cells and stimulate the growth of new cells
Learn more about deep glycolic acid face peels.
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