To have flawless skin with no zits (acne), pores, or acne scars is the dream of millions of people all over the world. Acne (medically known as acne vulgaris) or pimples is one of the commonest bothersome skin conditions affecting nearly 10% of the world’s population. Acne can affect people of all age groups, however, they are most commonly seen in the late-teens, early and mid-twenties.
Acne can present in various forms such as comedones (white, flesh colored, or dark bumps on the skin giving your skin a rough texture), pustules (small pus-filled bumps or sores), acne nodule (small and hard bumps under the skin), and acne scars (scars on the skin left behind by acne). In addition to causing a noticeable disfigurement on the face, acne also causes a significant psychological impact by making a person feel that they look less attractive due to acne and also make them feel extremely conscious about their appearance, thereby hampering their self confidence.
What leads to the development of acne?
Acne develops due to a variety of causes such as lifestyle changes (stress, improper sleep, unhealthy or unbalanced diet lacking proper nutrition), hormonal changes, system illnesses, bacterial and other infections, and certain prescription medications.
Irrespective of the underlying causes, scientific studies have identified four mechanisms as the main culprits in the development of acne, which are:
- Excessive secretion of sebum - an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin
- Inflammatory reactions - biochemical reactions in your body that promote swelling
- Hyper-keratinization - increased thickness and decreased shedding of the outermost layer of your skin
- Colonization of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria
What are the treatment options for acne?
The treatment of acne mostly involves targeting more than one or all of the above four factors. Various topical and systemic treatment regimens are under practice for treating acne. Salicylic acid has been identified as one of the potent topical application treatment options to remove acne and its associated skin problems (inflammation, pores, acne scars, etc.). In fact salicylic acid has emerged as the most effective topical agent as per many studies and is being hailed as ‘go-to option’ or the BFF your skin needs to keep acne at bay.
What is Topical Salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid (SA) is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) extracted from natural botanical sources which is typically a peeling agent. It can also be artificially synthesized. Dermatologically SA has been used in variable concentration (from 0.5% to 30%) as per the requirements of the condition.
How does Salicylic Acid treat acne?
Many dermatological studies have shown that, SA helps treat acne by following mechanisms:
- Softening the outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum)
- Loosening the adhesion between corneocytes (cells of stratum corneum)
- Breaking or dissolving the desmosomes (cells that form tight attachment between two adjacent cells) and promoting exfoliation
- Preventing increased production of sebum, by the virtue of its lipotropic properties
- Interfering with the biochemical reactions that promote inflammation and thereby stopping inflammatory changes
What concentration of Salicylic Acid is safe for regular use?
Salicylic acid serum at 2% concentration (https://bit.ly/3Bpb9lY) is deemed safe for regular topical application. It has been proven effective in controlling acne, reduction of formation of pores, promoting pores exfoliation, reduction of formation of whiteheads, and dark (black) heads, reducing oil (sebum) production and imparting smoothness and glow to your skin.
How to use 2% Salicylic Acid Serum?
- You can use 3-5 drops of 2% salicylic acid serum and apply it to your face in circular motion
- If required you can use it twice a day, but care should be taken to follow it up with a broad spectrum sunscreen if using during the day
- Avoid using 2% salicylic acid serum more than two times a day
What should you expect before using and while using 2% salicylic acid serum?
Before using
- It is always recommended to do a patch test by applying a small amount of the serum to one or two small areas that you want to treat for 3 days
- You may proceed to use it regularly later on in the affected area if you do not experience any reaction or discomfort
- Always use the product as directed on the package or as advised by your dermatologist
While using regularly
- When you begin to use the serum for the first time, you may experience a slight irritation or burning sensation on the applied area, as your skin tries to adjust to the medication
- It is recommended that you apply the product less frequently to begin with to allow time for your skin to adjust to the medication, and then gradually begin to apply the product more frequently
- You may have to continue to apply the serum for several weeks or longer to notice the benefits
- Always apply the salicylic acid serum only to the affected part of the skin and never apply the serum on large areas of skin unless advised by your dermatologist
- Avoid applying or getting salicylic acid in your eyes, nose or mouth, in case of any accidental contact flush the area with water for 15 minutes
- Avoid applying salicylic acid serum to skin that is broken, red, swollen, irritated, or infected
- Do not cover the salicylic acid serum applied skin with a bandage or dressing unless advised by your dermatologist
- If you continue to experience irritation, burning sensation, redness, inflammation or any other discomfort even after the initial 3-4 days, stop using the product and consult your dermatologist immediately
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References
1. Lu, Jin & Cong, Tianxin & Wen, Xiang & Li, Xiaoxue & Du, Dan & He, Gu & Jiang, Xian. (2019). Salicylic acid treats acne vulgaris by suppressing AMPK/SREBP1 pathway in sebocytes. Experimental Dermatology. 28. 10.1111/exd.13934.
2. Yue Zheng, Songchao Yin, Yue Xia, Jian Chen, Congxiu Ye, Quanrong Zeng & Wei Lai (2018): Efficacy and safety of 2% supramolecular salicylic acid compared with 5% benzoyl peroxide/0.1% adapalene in the acne treatment: A randomized, split-face, open-label, single-center study, Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, DOI: 10.1080/15569527.2018.151832