About Glycolic Acid
A good all-around acid for normal-oily skin types to exfoliate the skin. It is harsher than lactic acids though. An alpha hydroxy, this peel penetrates the epidermis-only.
The Glycolic is a smaller molecule, which allows deeper penetration into the skin. This means it will also work to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Glycolic helps to clear lower grades of acne prone skin; effective in releasing blackheads. Our Glycolic acid provides brighter, smoother looking skin. The Lactic is more for hydrating, and plumbing the skin. And the Glycolic works deeper to help with age spots, wrinkles, etc. If you are not interested in the combination peel, we would suggest the Glycolic/35, or the Lactic/50 to start.
Glycolic Acid is the most active and beneficial of the Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids (AHA) in skin care and is made from sugar canes. It is the only AHA which is able to penetrate through the cell walls by virtue of its small molecular size. Once inside the cell, it will trigger new formation of collagen and turn on the synthesis of dermal glycosaminoglycans to plump up the cell and the ground substances in the skin to reduce wrinkles on the skins surface. Glycolic Acid also affects the newly forming keratin cells at the bottom of the stratum corneum causing the bulk of the stratum corneum to lift off and separate from the underlying skin. This gives the skin a much smoother look and feel.
A glycolic acid peel treatment is a specific technique for skin renewal. This procedure removes the damaged layer of surface skin cells revealing fresh skin, and stimulating cell rebuilding and restructuring of deeper skin layers, in order to exfoliate the skin. They are proven to improve fine lines and wrinkles, even out mild acne scars, reduce the manifestation of light brown spots, and give the skin a refreshed and glowing look. After the procedure, it is expected that your skin may have some redness and have a sunburn feeling; however, the patient may be able to resume normal activities. Application of makeup 24 hours after the procedure is not advisable.
Glycolic acid because of its small molecular size, has the greatest penetration potential of all the AHA’s. Technically, glycolic acid works by stimulating new growth of skin and collagen, which helps loosen the ionic bonds (glue that holds dead skin cells together) between surface cells, allowing cellular surface debris to slough off. This allows dead cell debris to be removed gradually from the skins surface, revealing softer, smoother, clearer, brighter, younger looking skin.
- Softer, smoother skin
- Healthier looking skin
- A reduction in the appearance of fine lines
- Helps to even out skin tone
- Improvement in oily and acne prone skins
- Improvement in skin elasticity
- Fine lines appear less deep
A more mature skin that is showing the signs of aging will benefit from its use by a reduction in visible lines and wrinkles. This maturing skin will also literally act younger. A skin that is prone to congestion, clogged pores, blackheads, and etc. will become clearer as the pores will be relieved by the rapid exfoliation from glycolic acid causing it to function with loss blockage and greater clarity.
Glycolic (derived from sugar cane) is quite possibly one of the most effective skin care products available today. In addition to the exfoliation of dead skin cells, which encourage healthier new cells to form, glycolic also increases the production of collagen, minimizes pore size, evens out pigmentation, and draws out impurities, giving the skin a smooth texture and overall healthy look.
Glycolic Cleansers
A glycolic cleanser uses a small amount of glycolic acid to exfoliate and moisturize the skin. Glycolic acid is the best known of a group of chemicals called fruit acids or alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). Since glycolic acid comes from sugar cane, it is considered a natural product. Glycolic cleansers clean deeply but gently, removing dead skin cells, bacteria, dirt and other impurities to leave your skin soft, clean and supple.
Ingredients of Glycolic/35
The Glycolic/35 peel contains: Glycolic Acid, deionized water, Lactic Acid, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, propylene glycol, propyl and methyl parahydroxybenzoate.
Visible Peeling Following Treatment
In many people there is no visible peeling with a Glycolic 35% peel.
Glycolic acid has a very small molecule, which is able to pass more easily through the outer layers of skin. The main benefit from glycolic acid is the stimulation of collagen beneath the stratum corneum. Other peels like the lactic and salicylic generally cause more visible peeling, but this depends on compactness the individuals stratum corneum.
If you regularly exfoliate, chances are that you do not have an excess of skin, and the acids will be able to more easily penetrate, without the peeling effect.
Glycolic acid only has the capacity to break down the gluey substance holding the dead skin onto the skin surface, not the skin itself; therefore it can not make the skin thinner. Glycolic acid can remove substantial amounts of dead skin build up, and the client may feel a dramatic difference, but it will not remove any more than the dead skin.
Downsides of Glycolic Acid
There are some downsides to using Glycolic acid , but they can be managed. The use of glycolic acids increases the skin’s photosensitivity making it more vulnerable to damage from the sun. For this reason, we only recommend the use of our products containing glycolic acid with the use of a full spectrum sun block.
Thinning of Skin
Glycolic only has the capacity to break down the gluey substance holding the dead skin onto the skin surface, not the skin its self; therefore it can’t make the skin thinner. Glycolic can remove substantial amounts of dead skin build up, and the client may feel a dramatic difference, but it will not remove any more than the dead skin.
