Acne, as we know, is a multi-dimensional disease
that cannot be addressed by any single medication but
needs a comprehensive therapy regime where each issue
has to be taken care of by individual drug or remedy.
And it also needs to be kept in mind that acne is quite
complicated as there are many factors that cause it such
as an imbalance in the level of hormones, excess toxins
within the body and an overproduction of oil by the
sebum gland. Salicylic acid is just one of these remedial agents. As a beta hydroxy
acid that can release the bond which holds the dead
cells together, it helps unclog the pores and so hastens
the treatment of acne. It is quite commonly used to
treat acne, providing results with whiteheads and
blackheads. But how effective is the Salicylic acid and
acne connection? Let us find
out.
How
Exactly Does The Salicylic Acid and Acne Combination
Work?
Since Salicylic acid can also
dissolve the protein that binds the dead cells, they are
easily released while its oil soluble property allows it
to enter into the glands and help the sebum to come out
of its own. Cleansed pores and easy release of sebum
forestalls the formation of blackheads and whiteheads
and that is why the condition is treated with salicylic
acid preparations.
Although salicylic acid is available in various
forms like creams, lotions, gels and pads, they may
cause irritation when coming into contact with the skin
and should therefore, never be used in combination of
other sundry products like retinoids, alcohol, etc all
of them being somewhat irritant in nature. It also makes
the skin sensitive to the rays of the Sun and so,
sunscreens should be used during treatment with
salicylic acid.
How
Effective is Salicylic Acid in Acne?
In acne treatment regime that includes several
stages, salicylic acid plays the initial role which is
quite significant as otherwise the subsequent stages
would prove ineffective. Here the beta hydroxyl acid
works as a peeling agent that help shedding of the outer
layer of the skin. Being oil soluble, it also goes into
the sebaceous glands, cleaning them of stale oil stuck
within the follicles and finally helps removal of the
cellular debris. Benzoyle peroxide is then used to
kill the bacteria called P.acne by way of releasing
oxygen under the skin where they meet their end since
P.acne can not survive in oxygen-rich environment. The
final stage of Operation Acne involves the use of
resorcinol combined with sulfur that maintains an
antiseptic environ within the affected skin where acne
once reigned supreme.
However unfortunately, the Salicylic acid and
acne treatment may not lead to the permanent relief
that you want. The results are not permanent because the
root causes of acne are not dealt with
here. To effectively get rid of acne for good you need
something that can get into the system and fight the
real causes of acne and get them out of the system. And
the fact is, this is achieved only by holistic
treatments that treat the body as a whole. This is why
holistic remedies are so much successful with acne -
much more than Salicylic acid and
acne treatments.
