How to Use Glycolic Acid to Remove Acne Scars

by Dylan on December 15, 2011

in Glycolic Information

Glycolic acid is one particular product that can really work wonders in the treatment and removal of acne scarring. It is a simple yet effective product that helps reduce the darkness of scar marks that often linger after a bad bout of acne.

Glycolic acid products including toners, creams, lotions, moisturizers and peels – all help to even out your skin tone, reduce problematic pigmentation and remove scarring in the uppermost layers of your skin which results in a much smoother skin texture which will be visible within the first two weeks of using it. And if you are consistent in your treatment and use the products regularly you can easily remove a great deal of acne scarring.

What is Glycolic Acid?

Quite simply glycolic acid is a alpha hydroxy acid that is found in a wide number of common fruits and vegetables including sugarcane, beets and pineapple. It contains a naturally occurring ingredient that when applied to your skin helps remove the dead layers and allow the healthy and vibrant cells underneath to shine through. This helps stimulate collagen and elastin production which in turn helps regulate the stretch and tightness in your skin which treats fine lines, wrinkles and acne scarring.

Glycolic acid is found in a wide range of concentrations and strengths in a huge number of different facial and skincare products. There are many over the counter options of up to 50% concentrate and while these are generally the specialty of a trained dermatologist – with special care and a bit of knowledge these can be effectively utilized in the privacy of your own home.

Glycolic Acid and Acne Scarring

For treating acne scarring it is highly recommended that you utilize a high concentration glycolic acid peel and moisturizing product. These are available over the counter but if you do not feel comfortable applying these yourself, your local beautician or general practitioner will be able to guide you in its use. The only downside of glycolic acid in treating acne is that it will make your skin quite sensitive to UV rays, which can in turn lead to irritation and redness. However these effects are only temporary.

What has worked well for a number of people in treating acne is a 35% glycolic acid peel and facial cream. Applied in the comfort of your own home once per fortnight, you will see dramatic results in the reduction of your acne scarring and skin blemishes.

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How Often Can You Use 35% Glycolic Acid?

by Dylan on December 15, 2011

in Glycolic Information

As you should be well aware glycolic acid products come in a wide range of concentrates and potencies. From the mild 2% creams to the medical strength 50+% acids there is a product on the market that can be used to provide treatment to your skins conditions.

However because of the wide range of concentrates available within the glycolic acid range it can be very confusing as to which level of concentrate you need and how often you should be using these products.

This post is designed to answer the question ‘how often can you use a 35% glycolic acid product’?

Who Should Be Using a 35% Glycolic Acid Product?

The only people who should even think about using a 35% concentrate glycolic acid product are those who have slowly built there way up from the milder through the more moderate potency glycolic acid products. And even then this product should be used with extreme care. Due to the high concentrate of acid within these products it is very likely that if they are used by inexperienced practitioners that skin damage can result.

If you are considering the use of such a high potency beauty product it is also advised that you consult either your local physician or beauty therapist. These people will be experienced in the application of such a glycolic product and will be able to guide you in the safest and most effective use of these products.

To specifically answer the question ‘how often can you use a 35% glycolic acid product’ – it will really depend on your current skin condition, your past product usage history and the goals you wish to achieve for yourself.

Most professionals don’t recommend using such a high strength product more than once every couple of months – while others seem to think the once per month should be OK. We recommend that you make sure you speak to your local skin care professional prior to the home application of such a strong glycolic acid, only then can you rest assured that you will not cause your skin any permanent damage.

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Gly Derm Cream Plus 10% – Glycolic Acid Cream Review

by Dylan on December 14, 2011

in Product Reviews

Gly Derm glycolic acid face cream is a cosmetic facial product that contains a 10% glycolic acid concentrate for particularly effective use on dry sensitive skin. It is designed to specifically aid in the rehydration of dry skin and the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles.

What’s are the Positive and Negatives of Gly Derm Cream Plus 10%?

Gly Derm glycolic acid cream has a number of different active ingredients that are utilized to help aid in the rehydration of dry skin.

The benefits of this glycolic cream:

  • Provides deep hydration and gentle yet thorough exfoliation
  • Helps soften fine line and wrinkles
  • Helps reduce the effect of pigmentation marks
  • Recommended for dry and oily skin types
  • Works at its best while the patient is sleeping

The disadvantages of Gly Derm glycolic cream:

  • 10% acid concentrate can be too high for new skin care users

Who is Gly Derm Cream Plus 10% For?

Because the Gly Derm glycolic acid cream contains a concentration of glycolic acid of 10% potency it is advised that it is not used by those who haven’t had any experience with a glycolic based product previously. The cream is best suited for people who have had previous exposure to a more mild glycolic acid based product – more specifically a 2 or 5% concentrate product.

How is Gly Derm Cream Plus 10% Used?

The most effective way to use the Gly Derm cream is just before you go to sleep. Make sure it is applied to a thoroughly clean and washed face – this way you allow the cream to exfoliate your skin during the night time, refreshing and rejuvenating your older skin cells.

What are the Active Ingredients in Gly Derm Glycolic Cream?

The following are the active ingredients contained within the Gly Derm glycolic cream.

Water, Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Alcohol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus medica limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract.

How Much Does It Cost?

Price: $34.00

Where Can I Buy It?

The Gly Derm cream is available from a wide range of department stores country wide. However to order from the convenience of your own home check out the links below – you will even receive free shipping on qualified orders.

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What are the Ingredients in Gylcolic Acid Peel Products?

by Dylan on December 11, 2011

in Glycolic Information

Glycolic acid peels also known as chemical peels are one of the most commonly used beauty products in the cosmetic industry today. These products work by combining a number of common active ingredients with your skin which helps exfoliates the built up dead layers of skin which in turn will reveal the clear new rejuvenated skin underneath.

And while these treatments were once a hugely kept secret – only available to the richest and most popular of the Hollywood celebrities, today they are widely available to the general public.

Because of the widespread adoption of facial peels one of the most common questions we get asked here on this blog is ‘what are the main ingredients in a glycolic acid peel?’. I’ve put together this post to run you through a number of the more common ingredients found within these product.

Glycolic Acid Peel Ingredients

Depending upon the specific brand of glycolic facial peel that you use, there will be a number of different complementary ingredients that are used in conjunction with the more common ingredients found within these products.

Depending upon the strength of the product you are using also, facial peel ingredients will tend to vary from the lighter of the fruit acids (alpha hydroxy and glycolic acid) found in most of the common home peel kits. All the way up to the much stronger phenols that are required in medical strength peels.

You should always realize that chemical peel ingredients need to be used with the utmost case – as there is the potential to cause your body harm if used incorrectly. Make sure that you always follow the recommended guidelines with the utmost precision to ensure that you don’t cause any irreparable damage to your skin.

Common Glycolic Acid Peel Ingredients

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA’s)

Alpha hydroxy acids are extracted from common fruit and milk sugars – the most common of these acids being glycolic and lactic acid. These two types of acid are utilized because of their exceptional ability to break down the skins dead cells and help shed them to rejuvenate the underlying new skin.

There are five common AHA’s that are most commonly used in most cosmetic products:

  • Glycolic Acid
  • Citric Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Malic Acid
  • Tartaric Acid

Trichloroacetic Acid

Trichloroacetic acid which is also more commonly known as TCA, is used for a majority of the more slight to moderate skin peels. It is generally used in combination with a formula known as Jessner’s solution by some skin care doctors to ramp up the efficiency and create a slightly deeper peel that requires less healing time than some of the more higher grade chemical peels.

A recent study conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Professionals found that the majority of fine surface wrinkles, superficial marks and blemished, and many skin pigmentation problems will easily be treated with a high quality TCA.

Phenol (Carbolic Acid)

For the very deepest of skin care peels most skin care professionals will utilize an ingredient known as Phenol. This type of chemical peel is so strong that in many cases a general anesthetic will be required prior to the treatment, with bandaging of the face and several weeks of bed healing time being required.

According to a scientific study carried out by the American Academy of Dermatologists, most medium and deep depth facial peels will result in blistering and swelling that can cause facial issues if not treated correctly. This process is generally carried out over a 14 day period.

Other Facial Peel Ingredients

Glycerine is one of the most common other facial peel ingredients, and is generally used in more of a complementary capacity as opposed to as a key ingredient.

Colored dyes can also be included as an active ingredient which will help aid the doctors to make sure they are applying the chemical peel evenly to all areas of your skin.

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Can I Alternate Between a Glycolic Peel and Salycilic Acid Peel?

by Dylan on December 1, 2011

in Glycolic Information

A glycolic acid peel will give you distinctly different results when compared to using a salycilic acid peel due to the way the active ingredients contained within each interact with the dead skin cells on your body.Glycolic acid tends to emphasize skin rejuvenation while salycilic acid is more beneficial to acne prone and break out skin conditions.

As such one common question we get asked a lot is – can I alternate between a glycolic peel and a salycilic peel?

The answer is a simple yes, you definitely can alternate between these two types of cosmetic acids. And doing so will often help you achieve a wider range of goals in your skincare regime. At first you will be able to get away with regular switching between these two products, however after time and as you begin to strip away more and more layers of dead skin, you will need to reduce the amount of alternating between these products that you do. After all you do not want to remove your skin faster than the new skin can regenerate.

The combination of a glycolic and salycilic acid is very beneficial for people with faded skin pigmentation, uneven skin texture and oily / acne prone skin.

As with the introduction of all new skin care products, especially ones in which the active ingredient is an acid – it is highly recommended that you talk to a qualified dermatologist before implementing them on your skin. These dermatologists will recommend products that will perfectly suit your own requirements and lessen the chance of any adverse effects from these products.

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Can You Use Too Many Glycolic Acid Products?

by Dylan on December 1, 2011

in Glycolic Information

Glycolic acid as you should be well aware is the most commonly used AHA in the beautification cosmetic space. It is available in a wide variety of products including moisturizers, creams, lotions, toners, peels and washes just to name a few. The amount of glycolic acid contained within these products varies in degrees of strength from very mild products at 1-2% concentration all the way through to harsher medical strength treatments of up to 60% concentration.

Because many people choose to mix and match glycolic products of varying concentrations and types – it is a common question to ask ‘Can you use too many glycolic acid products’ on a day to day basis?

It is quite natural for a person to use a multiple number of glycolic products including moisturizers, facial cleaners and toners as part of their daily beautification regime – and as long as you monitor and control your usage it will be perfectly safe to do so.

In moderation the use of many different glycolic products will not cause you any harm, however because everybody is unique and because there is potential to abuse some of the higher strength concentrations of the product it is important that if you experience any of the following symptoms then you stop using the product and move to a lower concentration product.

  • Any stinging after application of the product
  • Shedding of dead skin at a heavy rate
  • Red, blotchy or irritated skin that feels extra sensitive to the sun
  • Extreme tightness of your skin
  • Uncomfortable feeling when perspiring
  • Thinning skin around your eyes, nose, mouth or neck

If any of the above symptoms occur then it is advised that you cut back on the use of glycolic products to give your skin a chance to recover. Once you feel that your skin has returned to its original condition, you should move to a lower concentration of glycolic acid and again closely monitor your use of it going forward.

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Glycolic Acid and Pregnancy: Is It Safe For Your Baby to Use Glycolic Acid Skincare Products During Pregnancy?

by Dylan on November 22, 2011

in Glycolic Information

Good morning everyone and welcome to another update of our glycolic acid blog – one of our readers recently sent in the following interesting question that I thought would make a really interesting piece for a blog post…

“Hi Dylan, I stumbled across this blog a couple of weeks back and found your information on glycolic acid to be really beneficial. I have since found out that I am pregnant however and was wondering, is it safe to use glycolic based products during my pregnancy? Thanks for taking the time to update me on this and keep up the good work with the blog – Marianne.”

Read on to find out the answer…

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Inspirational Photos: A Glycolic Acid Before and After Success Story

by Dylan on November 21, 2011

in Glycolic Information

You might be asking yourself whether or not using glycolic acid based products is worth your time. I myself have never been one to document my progress in using glycolic acid with before and after pictures, so I more often than not rely on my own jaded view of what I am seeing in the mirror when it comes to assessing my skin.

Today I’d like to share with you a success story of epic proportions that was sent into us by a reader of this blog. Jonathon actively started using glycolic products after reading this blog and decided to set up a before and after test shoot to determine whether or not the approaches to skincare we outline really work.

I’ll leave it up to Jonathon to tell his story…

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What is the Difference Between Glycolic and Salicylic Acid?

by Dylan on November 20, 2011

in Glycolic Information

One of the more common questions that readers have been sending through on this blog is – what is the difference between glycolic and salicylic acid?

This is a very good question and I wanted to write a post that completely answered this for all of our readers. However today I’m going to try something a little bit different. In an About Glycolic Acid first, we are going to have our good friend Dr Neal Schultz at DermTV answer this question in our very first video post.

So I’ll leave it with Neal to explain to you the difference between glycolic and salicylic acid…

 

If you have any questions after watching the video feel free to leave a comment below or contact us – we are always more than happy to help!

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Glycolic Acid – A Short Primer

by Josh on November 19, 2011

in Glycolic Information

Glycolic Acid is one of the most cost effective, safe and beneficial skin care ingredients on the market today. It’s unique antioxidant, elastin and resurfacing stimulating properties make it second to none in the treatment of acne, open pores, scars and other skin problems.

There are an ever growing amount of creams, toners, moisturizers and other glycolic based treatments appearing on the beauty market every day.  Hopefully we can reveal some of the real facts about Glycolic Acid and set you on the right path to finding a product that will help you obtain better blemish and wrinkle free skin with a better complection.

What Concentration of Glycolic Acid Should I Use?

You might have seen products containing anywhere up to 50% Glycolic Acid, contrary to popular belief a higher glycolic acid concentrated product does not mean you will see better results.  In fact it may well be the opposite!  Higher concentrated products are harder to manufacture with a controlled result, meaning that these products may not benefit your skin at all.  A good guideline for glycolic acid content is in the range of 5-20%.

What are the Side Effects of Glycol Products?

  • Generally when you hear of someone having an adverse reaction to a cream or toner product it is actually a reaction to other ingredients in the product being used
  • Immediately after treatment using acid based chemical peels skin can become more prone to sunburn for a short period of time

So now that you’re a little more informed about some of the facts about glycolic acid, why not have a look at some of the glycolic acid products available so you too can benefit from one of the most powerful skin treatment ingredients of our time.

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