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Nature’s Gift – Salicylic Acid

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Taking care of your skin can be overwhelming with all the new products boasting B vitamins and acids, as well as the latest in dermal planning techniques and trends. What’s the difference between hydroxyl and salicylic acids? Is one better than the other? We can answer all of these questions, but let’s focus for now on salicylic acid. For those of you who don’t speak chemist, here are a few highlights.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxyl acid (different from glycolic and lactic acids) that penetrates deeper into your skin to exfoliate pores. This makes it much more effective at treating acne, oily skin build-up and black heads. Salicylic acid also reduces hyperpigmentation and improves skin’s texture. Depending on your skin’s needs, you may want to introduce a salicylic acid treatment into your skincare routine. Like many topical acne treatments, it requires continuous use to reap long-lasting benefits. It makes picking the right products that much more important!

Before doing so, talk to one of our certified dermatologists. We can go over products and treatments that best fit your needs. Call us today at (865) 690-9467 to schedule an appointment!

Turn Back the Skincare Clock with Glycolic Acid

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It’s so easy to look back at the mistakes we’ve made and see how we could have avoided them. While preventative steps are always our first recommendation, there’s still hope for some of the skin damage that resulted from that summer you lived on a boat. Certain cosmetic treatments like chemical peels use glycolic or salicylic acid and can help erase the evidence of your past skin blunders.

Glycolic acid, part of a group of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that are found in foods, is derived from sugar cane. When applied to skin, products with glycolic acid help moisturize and remove dead skin cells. It has been shown to help firm, smooth, and improve the appearance of acne scars and aging skin. When compared to other chemical exfoliations, glycolic acid is the best choice for treating fine lines. Other benefits include increasing the natural moisturizers in your skin and improving your skin’s water barrier properties.

Your skin needs exfoliation in its routine, and glycolic acid is a great method! You can incorporate it into your nightly ritual or splurge on a chemical peel at the MediSpa. But before you take the plunge, be sure to consult one of our certified dermatologists to determine the best skincare method for your needs. Call us today at (865) 690-9467 and schedule an appointment.

It’s All in the Chemistry – Glycolic Acid

In chemistry classes, we’re taught to take extra precautions when dealing with acids. However, there are certain acids that are not only safe to touch, but actually very effective in the upkeep and maintenance of skin. These are called Glycolic Acids.

Glycolic acid is a colorless and odorless acid found in many skin-care products.  After pharmaceutical companies discovered this acid’s excellent capability to penetrate skin, they began implementing it into various skin-care products. Most commonly, you can find glycolic acid in chemical peels performed by dermatologists, plastic surgeons or licensed aestheticians.

So how does it work? Simply put, the acid reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis and breaks the binds that hold the dead skin cells together. As a result, live skin cells are exposed and skin conditions begin to improve. There are many different ways glycolic acids help to improve the skin’s appearance and texture. It may reduce wrinkles, acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.

To learn more about Glycolic Acid and how it can help you, contact our dermatologists to schedule an appointment. If you have any questions about glycolic acid or changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.