Acne is one of the most common chronic skin disorder affecting millions of people across the globe.
It is characterized by the outbreak of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and inflammations along with redness and marks on the skin.
Chemical peeling has lately emerged as a popular form of treatment which apart from focusing on one specific disorder of the skin, also tends to affect a general rejuvenation and improve the health of your skin.
This article shall discuss the efficacy of lactic acid as an agent of chemical peeling and the pros and cons of using this agent.
What is Lactic Acid Peel?
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that is derived from milk.
It is known to be a great peeling agent because of being a relatively gentler and mild acid and is, therefore, more preferred when it comes to treating sensitive skin.
This gentleness of the acid can be attributed to its being an outcome of natural human metabolism.
It is mostly used for peeling in order to correct skin damage cause to due aging, sun damage, skin infection and discoloration of the skin.
It is also effective in removing marks and scars from the skin.
Lactic Acid Peel to Treat Acne
Lactic acid has lately emerged as an effective treatment for various skin conditions as well as a contributor towards the health of the skin.
It tends to help towards the treatment of acne in a number of ways.
Firstly, its molecules help in reaching deep down the layers of the skin and cleaning the pores thereby unclogging them so that the trapped sebum gets an outlet.
Furthermore, it serves as a good exfoliating agent and removes the dead skin cells which clog the pores thereby unclogging them.
It tends to remove the upper layer of the skin which contains all the damaged part.
This removal induces collagen fiber production as a natural response by the immune system which helps in speeding up the recovery process and the formation of new skin cells and layer which in undamaged and more firm and tight than before.
It tends to rejuvenate your skin in a way.
How much to apply?
The peel of lactic acid should be used in a concentration ranging from 40% to 70% depending on the sensitivity and condition of the skin.
How to apply?
Before you use the peel, the face must be cleansed with a medicated cleanser or soap as your facial oils might create an obstruction in skin penetration of the acid.
After the peel has been applied, it is left on for neutralization so that the acid gets some time to penetrate your skin and assert its effect and impact.
Benefits of Lactic Acid Peel
The benefits of using lactic acid as your peeling agent over any other acid are enumerated below:
- It helps in combating the oiliness of your skin.
- It helps in restoring the pH balance of your skin.
- It tends to moisturize your skin.
- It is relatively gentler when used on the skin than most other acids.
- Lactic acid peels have negligible side effects.
- It does not usually cause skin irritation, unlike most other acids.
- It can be effectively used on sensitive skin.
Possible Side Effects
The side effects of using lactic acid peel are mostly similar to that of undergoing any kind of chemical peeling. They are enumerated as below:
- It may cause redness and flaking of the skin but this is usually mild and tends to go away with time.
- It may cause hypo or hyperpigmentation. Such cases are more prominent with people having a darker skin tone.
- In case you have a history of cold sores, you are likely to be at an increased risk of infection.
- Lactic acid peels might also cause scarring of the treated areas at times.
- They tend to increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and UV rays in particular.
Precautions with Lactic Acid Peel
In order to maximize the effectiveness of the lactic acid peel, you must maintain certain precautions.
These precautions have been enumerated below:
- The area to be treated should not be bleached, waxed or scrubbed at least three days before and after the treatment.
- If you have an active lesion, your doctor must give you an acyclovir 200 mg to be taken at least three times a day, 2 days before the treatment.
- Sensitive skin areas should be avoided during peeling.
- The very harsh or rough cleanser should not be used for some days after the peeling.
- Exposure to the sun should be avoided.
- The skin should be properly moisturized to prevent scabbing.
Customer Review for Lactic Acid Peel
We did an analysis of online consumer review to see and determine the effectiveness of lactic acid peels in the treatment of acne.
Here is a summary of what people who used it liked or disliked about the treatment:
What they liked about it
Healed spots: Many consumers were happy with the fact that this peel was extremely effective in treating spots and scars. It was especially beneficial with pigmentation scarring and tends to lighten them.
Skin glow: A lot of consumers were happy with the effect it had on the texture of their skin.
Its gentleness and moisturizing properties kept it soft and supple while adding a glow to the skin. Lactic acid peel resulted in a complete rejuvenation of the skin.
Inexpensive: Most consumers were happy with the fact that lactic acid was particularly inexpensive as compared to other acids that serve as peeling agents.
This was a relief because most of the time companies do not provide insurance for such treatment by calculating them as a cosmetic makeover.
What they did not like about it
Dizzy: A few consumers complained that it made them dizzy. Such cases, however, have been extremely rare.
Regular session: One de-motivating factor for some of the consumers was that it is not a very time effective treatment in the sense that it requires you to have a number of regular sessions at proper intervals before you can see any improvement.
Summary
Lactic acid peel is a relatively gentle and mild option for a chemical peel. It is not harsh on the skin and works particularly well on sensitive skin.
It tends to also improve the texture of your skin in general. Moreover, it is relatively inexpensive and will not be a big burden financially.
If you want rejuvenation of your skin, this might just be the option you have been looking for.
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