And so, chemical exfoliation or salicylic peeling at home. The recipe can be selected for any skin type and to solve a variety of problems. Therefore, we can set up a beauty salon at home at any convenient time. In addition, with the help of this procedure, not only the face is tidied up, but also the neck, décolleté, hands, elbows and feet.
Attention! The procedure can be performed in a maximum of two zones at a time. For example, the face and décolleté. Although salicylic peeling is considered the safest procedure of all chemical exfoliations, and the acid produces a superficial effect, it still enters the bloodstream. Excessive concentration of salicylic acid leads to toxic effects on the body.
What it is?
Salicylic peeling is a non-invasive method of corrective dermatology, which serves to impart freshness, softness to damaged, inflamed, aging skin, even out tone, and prolong youth through the use of BHA.
BHA in cosmetology means salicylic acid. The composition is vaguely similar to Acylpirin or Aspirin, due to which it has an anti-inflammatory effect.
BHAs are fat soluble, so they penetrate to a greater depth. Therefore, they are especially suitable for oily, acne-prone skin. BHA acid helps maintain cell tone in the pores and, thanks to the aforementioned anti-inflammatory effects, eliminates any skin infections.
Properties of salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is valued because it acts quickly and effectively. Preparations with this substance have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. They dry out inflammatory elements, relieving pain.
Due to its keratolytic property, it promotes the rejection of desquamated skin epithelium.
The powder is dissolved with an oil solution, alcohol or warm water and treats inflammatory or infectious skin diseases:
- black dots;
- acne, pimples;
- oily seborrhea;
- corns with calluses;
- chronic eczema;
- excessive secretion of sebum and sweat;
- wound defects.
Good option for problem skin
BHA acids are especially useful for oily, problem skin. Clogged pores, acne,
excessive shine - acid copes with these imperfections.
It deeply cleanses pores and removes impurities. In addition, after its use, comedones disappear.
The following advantages of the procedure are smoothing out fine wrinkles, softening acne scars, and lightening age spots.
The effectiveness of peeling with salicylic acid is confirmed by many positive reviews, videos and photo reports.
A little history
Acetylsalicylic acid is the most popular and well-known medicine in medicine. Its use in cosmetology appeared much later. Aspirin was primarily used to reduce the risk of heart attack, for headaches, and as an antipyretic.
Later they realized that the drug has an antibacterial effect and can be used as an external remedy. The medicine began to treat wounds to relieve inflammation and problem skin, and also began to be widely used for cosmetic purposes.
Due to the fact that the aspirin solution can penetrate deeply into the layers of the dermis, blood circulation and skin elasticity increase. Among other things, the drug has the following properties:
exfoliation of dead cells (peeling effect);- disinfection;
- preventing the formation of pimples and acne;
- whitening facial skin (saves from pigment spots);
- narrowing of pores;
- reduction of fat secretion.
Bad option for IV, V, VI skin phototypes
But not everyone can benefit from the use of salicylic acids. Dermatologists recommend caution when using acid for people with 3 phototypes on the Fitzpatrick scale:
- Type IV – soft brown skin, typical Mediterranean olive shade. Rarely burns, tans well.
- Type V - dark brown skin, types of the population of the Middle East, Latin America. Rarely burns, tans easily.
- Type VI is a deep dark brown to black pigment. It never burns, the tan is almost invisible.
People with these phototypes are at risk of replacing acne with dark brown or black spots on the skin. Salicylic acid should only be used under professional supervision.
How to peel
Wash your face with foam and dry your dermis thoroughly, then wipe your face with alcohol to degrease it. Pour salicylic acid into a glass container and apply an even layer to problem areas. be applied as a toner, but be sure to use gloves. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with cold water.
It is best to apply first to the T-zone and cheeks, then move to the forehead, and once again degrease the chin and wings of the nose. Do not use on the neck, lips and décolleté. After a minute, the mixture should be washed off.
At first the effect will be felt as a burning sensation, if it is difficult to tolerate, then point a fan at your face or just blow a leaf a little. If the dermis looks like it’s covered in gloss, don’t be alarmed, that’s how it should be.
Time : the entire session lasts a minute, but the burning sensation will begin already at the 30th second, you need to endure it, remember, the result is worth it! As soon as the waiting time has expired, wash off the acid and lubricate your face with cream.
wash off with a pre-prepared neutralizer, which contains soda and boiled cooled water. Wipe your face at least three times. If after the procedure the dermis still burns, then simply wash with cold water.
Photo - Face after several uses
This way you can remove pimples, red spots and acne on your own and completely free of charge. The main thing is regularity. If the dermis is very sensitive, repeat no more than once every two weeks.
If you want to get rid of scars, then after a month of using acid with a concentration of 15-20%, switch to 30.
Indications and contraindications for self-treatment of skin
Indications for the use of salicylic peeling:
- wrinkles;
- wide pores;
- acne;
- acne scars;
- hyperpigmentation;
- other skin pathologies;
- gray, flabby skin.
Use is excluded if:
- areas of the skin on which acid is supposed to be applied have painful signs: lesions, scratches, herpes, warts, diseases (eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis);
- undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy within the previous 6 months;
- taking prescription medications (Roaccutane, Retin-A, or similar vitamin A products) within the past 8 weeks;
- history of keloid scars (atypical wound healing due to excessive collagen production);
- tattooing in the previous 8 weeks.
Increased caution when using salicylic peeling is required for people with diabetes, aged <18 years, pregnant and lactating women.
Healing period
The healing period after using the peeling solution is an individual indicator. It depends on factors such as:
- concentration of substances;
- recipe;
- skin condition;
- characteristics of the body.
Despite this, the standard healing period is as follows:
- 1 day. A slight redness is noticeable on the skin. There is a feeling of dryness and tightness.
- 2–4 days. The skin begins to peel off greatly, the redness subsides.
- 7–10 days. The peeling is almost gone. The skin acquires an even tone. The first results are noticeable.
At first, it is recommended to refrain from going outside, especially during the daytime. This is done to avoid exposure to external factors on the skin in the form of sun, wind, dust, etc. If it is not possible to avoid sun rays, then special creams should be used for protection.
To moisturize, use creams, milk or special masks. It is completely necessary to exclude mechanical effects of peeling and decorative cosmetics.
It is forbidden to remove the resulting crust if there is excessive peeling.
If during the recovery period the appearance of burns, wounds or other damage is noticeable, you should immediately consult a specialist.
Types of home treatments
According to the depth of penetration, salicylic peels used at home are as follows:
- For superficial cleaning - soft substances affect only the top layer of skin. Recommended for young skin to eliminate acne or acne marks and slow down aging.
- For medium-deep cleaning - the substance does not affect the basement membrane and penetrates the entire depth of the epidermal layer. The procedure is recommended for people over 30 years of age to improve the color, texture, elasticity of the skin, smooth out wrinkles, and tighten the contour.
Deep cleaning is carried out only in beauty salons.
Release form
The drug is available in the form of a solution (in alcohol) and in the form of an ointment:
- In liquid form, it is bottled in glass bottles of 25 ml or 40 ml.
- Salicylic ointment is available in jars or aluminum tubes of 25 grams.
Less commonly supplied in the form of powder and medicinal paste, it can be included in medicinal plasters.
salicylic acid for acne
Preparatory stage
If you have no experience using salicylic acid, you should prepare your skin before using it.
This is especially important for BHA acids, substances characterized by uneven distribution. Sometimes long (2-4 weeks) preparation is required. Before the first treatment, for 10-14 days before it, softening emulsions should be used to reduce the risk of any undesirable reaction. They are applied 1-2 times a day. It is advisable to include foods rich in protein and a sufficient amount of vitamins (especially vitamins E, C) in your diet.
Instructions - how to use salicylic acid for acne
An alcohol preparation for treating affected skin is used in the morning and evening, wiping with a cotton swab. For adult patients, no more than 10 ml per day; for children, 1 ml is enough. Do not use the product for longer than 7 days.
Treatment can also be carried out with lotions, applied to cleansed and dried skin.
When treating with ointment (2% composition), a thin layer of the product is applied to problem areas. Sterile gauze is attached to the top. If there are few pimples, they are lubricated with a cotton swab. Wash off after 3 minutes. Treat three times a day and no longer than 21 days.
After completing the procedure, wash the face with clean water, neutralizing the acid, and apply a moisturizer.
Stages of salicylic peeling at home
After thorough cleaning, a chemical (acid) is applied to the surface of the skin. The duration of action of the active substance gradually increases depending on the individual’s tolerance. The duration of the procedure is on average 15-20 minutes.
Then the substance is neutralized and a soothing cream is applied. The treated area may
be slightly flushed. Over the next few days, the surface layers peel off slightly and rarely become blistered. All these symptoms should go away within 5 days after using peeling products.
As an alternative to expensive peels, you can use Aspirin, an affordable analgesic that supports skin peeling by providing a high dose of acetylsalicylic acid. It helps eliminate dead cells from the upper layers of the skin, treat acne, psoriasis, and various other unfavorable conditions.
To ensure the maximum effect of Aspirin for cleaning, eliminating inflammation, and superficial pigmentation, the following simple recipe for home peeling is suitable:
- mix 1 tbsp. honey (liquid) or warm water with 2 crushed Aspirin tablets;
- Apply the mixture to clean skin;
- after 20-25 minutes, rinse;
- apply an anti-inflammatory cream (for example, with aloe).
Care and possible complications
After completing the procedures, you need to very gently wipe your face with a paper napkin, this will remove bacteria and dead cells from the surface of the skin. You need to understand that after the session some complications :
- Mild redness, dryness and some irritation are normal for a few days. Use as much moisturizer as possible;
- Before and after peeling, you should not use any other scrubs for at least a month;
- Be sure to smear your face with sunscreen, especially in summer or spring;
- You may notice peeling of the skin or even small cracks, but this will pass, lubricate problem areas with Vaseline.
The course has its contraindications :
- You should not use acetylsalicylic scrub if you are allergic to vitamin C;
- For open wounds;
- High facial sensitivity.
Photo - Face before and after peeling
Variety of BHA acids
Individual peeling substances differ primarily in concentration. Cosmetologists use products with a higher concentration of acids. They are more aggressive and can only be used by a specialist. Substances for home use are more gentle. They contain lower concentrations of acids that are safe for self-use.
Concentrated preparations (>20% VNA) are used only in beauty salons. You can even buy 70% BHA on the Internet, but you should not do this - after inexperienced use you can get extremely disappointing results. Only use them if you really know what you are doing.
The disadvantage of products for home use is that to ensure a visible effect they must contain 10% more acid than allowed. In this case, we are talking about professional products required to be used by a cosmetologist or used under his supervision.
For this reason, it is safer to entrust the procedure to a specialist in a beauty salon 1-2 times a year. This will eliminate the risk of using acid incorrectly.
Rules for using salicylic acid
When using a useful remedy - salicylic acid, you must adhere to the following rules:
- When applying, avoid contact of the drug with mucous membranes, birthmarks, and hairy warts.
- If the product gets on the mucous membrane, abundant rinsing with water is required.
- Do not use the product on the genitals.
- Pregnant women are allowed to lubricate calluses with a 2% solution, spending 4-5 ml.
- Use warm water to wash off the acid.
- Do not cleanse your skin with an alcohol-based lotion, gel, or scrub before applying salicylic acid.
- It is undesirable to use drugs with salicylic acid simultaneously with Baziron or Zinerit.
- Salicylic acid preparations must be used in pediatric practice with extreme caution.
Violation of the rules for using salicylic acid threatens the development of complications!
Practical experience
From reviews of women who practice using salicylic peeling at home, it follows that in the absence of experience, it is better to trust a specialist. When using purchased products, it is important to follow the instructions to prevent complications such as burns.
I had my first procedure done in a salon. Realizing that this was a simple procedure, I bought a product for home use. It's much more convenient than visiting a salon. At the same time, the result is similar.
Alevtina
I got burns after using a home peel. Therefore, if cleaning is needed, I prefer to go to a cosmetologist.
Irina
I gave up salon cleanings a long time ago. I make a mask based on regular Aspirin. But experience is important here.
Margarita
How to care for your skin after procedures
After using peeling with salicylic alcohol, acid or aspirin, the skin needs careful care. After all, even such a minimal exposure to a chemical causes a slight burn. Don't be alarmed, this is what we wanted!
But remember a few simple rules so that your face will delight you with its radiant appearance:
- limit your exposure to the sun. When outdoors during the warm season, wear wide-brimmed hats and use sunscreen at all times;
- do not visit sunnas, baths, beaches and other places with high humidity and temperature for a week;
- be sure to use a special post-peeling gel or other skin soothing product immediately after the procedure;
- Apply cream to your face twice a day depending on your skin type and temporary purpose (day, night);
- Never remove flaking scales with your hands and do not scrub the skin during periods of intense peeling. It is better to lubricate your face with moisturizer more often.
If you use a store-bought product for salicylic peeling and see on the packaging that you don’t need any special care after using it (you don’t even need to use cream!) – don’t believe it. This is just a PR stunt that has no basis in fact. You need to take care so that your face acquires the desired appearance and does not become covered with spots and irritations.
Cost of funds
The most popular salicylic peels for home use:
Name | Action specified by the manufacturer | Approximate price, rub. |
Holy Land | Deep cleansing, evening out skin tone, smoothing structure | 3000 |
Out serial (GIGI) | Smoothing, eliminating dead cells, moisturizing, refreshing | 1200 |
Bioderma | Deep cleansing, accelerating the regenerative abilities of the epidermis | 1000 |
Skinfood | Elimination and prevention of acne, cleansing, getting rid of dead cells | 600-700 |
The use of salicylic peels requires special care when using acid-based skin care products. In combination with these substances, BHA can lead to increased acidity and skin corrosion. You should wait to use acids if you are using anti-acne creams, excessively dry skin, or immediately after shaving or waxing.
Preparation for the procedure
It is important to understand that before using lactic salicylic peeling, you must carefully consider the preparatory stage.
Preparation for a chemical peel should begin several weeks before the procedure itself. Experts recommend avoiding saunas, swimming pools or gyms.
Expert opinion
Elena Apostolyuk
Cosmetologist
For washing and care, it is better to choose products that already contain a small proportion of salicylic and acidic substances. This step promotes better absorption of the peel in the future. Another important rule is avoiding ultraviolet rays.
A day before peeling, conduct a special test that will reveal the presence of allergic reactions to the substance used. To do this, apply a small amount of it to the back of the hand. If after some time no irritation, itching or other discomfort appears, then you can use such a solution for cleansing.
To achieve a good water balance in the body, you need to drink more than 2 liters of water in 24 hours.