Salicylic peeling at home and with a beautician

Salicylic peeling is most often used to eliminate cosmetic imperfections of the facial skin. It is used both for medicinal purposes and as an additional care.

What is it

Salicylic peeling is a cosmetic procedure, as a result of which the surface layer of the epidermis is exfoliated. The main active ingredient is salicylic acid. Everyone knows it as a powerful antiseptic and sebum-regulating agent. Upon contact with the skin, it softens and quickly “dissolves" dead cells, evens out the relief and destroys microorganisms that cause inflammation and acne. As a result, the process of skin renewal is stimulated, the work of the sebaceous glands is normalized.  

Salicylic peeling for the face can be superficial or mid-surface. It depends on the concentration of the active substance:

• 15-20% – to reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands, get rid of acne, improve the color and texture of the face. Interestingly, this procedure is jokingly called “lunch break exfoliation,” as it does not require a long recovery.
• 25-30% – to smooth out shallow wrinkles, get rid of scars, even out the relief, stimulate collagen synthesis.

The procedure can be used not only for face care, but also for other parts of the body – decollete, neck, arms, back.

Indications

Salicylic facial peel is recommended in the following cases:

• the presence of acne, comedones, blackheads;
• oily seborrhea;
• folliculitis;
• seborrheic dermatitis;
• skin aging, loss of turgor;
• earthy skin color;
• pigmentation;
• stand up;
• hyperkeratosis;
• uneven terrain;
• photoaging.

The procedure will not relieve pronounced defects, deep wrinkles and scars. But it's great for fixing small imperfections. Salicylic acid not only disinfects and cleanses, but also has a rejuvenating effect. This is possible due to the fact that it prevents the destruction of hyaluronic acid, on which the youth and hydration of the skin depends. 

Pros and cons of the procedure

Now let's look at the benefits of peeling based on salicylic acid:

• Efficient, visible and long lasting results. The skin quickly changes, acquires a more even texture without obvious imperfections.
• Versatility. The procedure is applied on different parts of the body. There is even a salicylic foot peel.
• Few contraindications.
• Safety in compliance with all requirements and high professionalism of a specialist.

There are also disadvantages:

• Seasonality. It is recommended to do peeling in autumn or winter. In the warm season, it is better not to experiment, as exposure to sunlight can adversely affect the condition of the skin and cause unwanted pigmentation. Therefore, salicylic peeling in the summer is not the best idea.

• pain of the procedure. Almost everyone complains about discomfort. But they need to be endured, this is a normal phenomenon, which indicates that the drug is working.

• Long-term rehabilitation. In the case of treatment with a 30% solution, this period may be delayed for a week. The face will peel off a lot, so going out into society will become a problem.

While the procedure appears to be quite safe, it is actually a controlled chemical burn. Therefore, the selection of a specialist must be taken seriously.

Peculiarities

You need to prepare for the procedure in advance. 14-15 days before the expected date, you must refuse to visit the pool, sauna, bath, solarium. The number of sessions and the interval between them depends on the task assigned to the beautician and the characteristics of the skin. As a rule, the course consists of 5-8 procedures, the interval between which can be from 7 to 14 days. The cost depends on the type, the specific manufacturer of salicylic acid and the margins of beauty salons and beauty parlors.

At the first appointment, the specialist should examine the condition of the skin, find out if there are any contraindications, acquaint the patient with all the risks, and talk about the achievable results. As a rule, the first treatment is carried out using a low concentration of salicylic acid to check the reaction of the skin. If everything is fine, then you can use funds with a large percentage.

In general, the session lasts no more than half an hour. Stages:

1. Cleansing of make-up and impurities. Only on clean skin can the drug be evenly distributed.
2. Application of a preparatory mask for toning, degreasing and disinfection. Washing off residues.
3. Rubbing with an antiseptic.
4. Application of peeling in the form of a paste or solution. The composition is aged on the skin for no more than 10 minutes. You may feel tingling and burning – this is normal. But if the discomfort is too annoying, you need to tell the beautician about it and ask him to wash off the solution.
5. Acid neutralization, washing away residues.
6.  Treatment with a protective cream to moisturize and soothe the skin.

Immediately after the session, it is not advised to go outside, as the skin may react painfully to wind, frost or sun. Also, on the first day you can not wash your face (with superficial peeling). After the middle, you have to wait 2 days. 

The procedure has a strong drying effect. Therefore, for several days after the session, the skin must be regularly moisturized with a cream so that it does not dry out. Redness, a feeling of tightness, peeling – all this is normal. The main thing is in no case to tear off the peeling scales, especially to use abrasive products, such as scrubs. If there is no peeling, this does not mean that the procedure did not work. It's just that everyone has their own reaction. 

During the first 24 hours, make-up should not be applied. You also need to protect your skin from the sun, do not visit the bath, sauna, solarium. The skin recovery period takes approximately 6-7 days.

Salicylic peel at home

Not everyone has the time and opportunity to go to the salon and carry out care and treatment procedures there. For such people, salicylic peeling at home will be the way out. You can pick up masks based on salicylic acid and other natural ingredients or other cosmetics for home use.

But you need to understand that only in the salon a specialist can control the process of skin renewal. Peeling at home carries with it a greater risk of side effects. You can use such products only for problematic and oily skin.

Contraindications

But there are also caveats. Such peeling should not be done with rosacea, sunburn, scratches, abrasions and damage. The following conditions are also contraindications:

• taking glycemic drugs;
• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• herpes;
• inflammatory processes on the skin;
• individual intolerance to the components.

There are no restrictions on age or skin type. Negative skin reactions are possible. The most common side effects are swelling, burning, allergies, exacerbations of herpes. Salicylic peeling for the body or face is a good alternative to expensive hardware procedures. The main thing is to find a qualified specialist, because the wrong concentration of acid or the duration of the session can cause great harm. After a course of well-conducted therapy, the skin will become virtually new, it will shine with beauty and health.