Is glycolic acid a wake up call for your skin?

We would all like perfect skin when we look in the mirror, but imperfections in the form of acne breakouts, large pores, or pigmentation patches are what we have to deal with on a daily basis.  On the other side of that, we all go through the ageing process and can spot a new line or wrinkle.  But whilst we embrace the ageing process, there are many amazing face products around which will plump up skin and give a younger appearance.

The use of glycolic acid can be a wake up call for your skin. People who have glycolic acid facials are often amazed at the results because they appear younger, with fewer fine lines and wrinkles and if they suffer from acne, their skin is less oily and pores are much smaller.

The mention of a facial using acid does not have to sound daunting, because experts say that this is one of the best and least invasive ways to improve your skin and for many ladies, they will pop to their nearest salon in their lunch breaks to have a 20 minute facial peel, and go back to work with a rosy faced glow.

Part of the alpha hydroxyl (AHA) family of natural ingredients, glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and is a fruit acid.  When it is applied to the skin, it removes that top layer of skin, to reveal a new layer of skin which looks fresher and brighter.

The use of chemical facials have been around for a while and there are several types of treatments to choose from, but glycolic acid is perfect for the treatment of fine lines, dullness and uneven skintone.  Salicylic acid works into the deeper layers of skin by dissolving the debris and dead skin that clogs pores and causes breakouts. It softens and clears the skin whilst stimulating healthy skin growth and controls sebum production which causes the skin breakouts.

2.  Skin will look plumper and more glowing.  You don't have to have a skin complaint because you can still benefit with a brighter glowing look. Some ladies like to stay on top of their skincare regime and when existing DIY at home treatments such as facial scrubs or exfoliators are not working their magic, then a glycolic acid facial is a great alternative and will bring faster immediate results.

3. The after effects are that you will have a glowing complexion for a few days, but you will be advised to wear a high sun screen. Your skin will understandably be more sensitive to UV rays, but at all times, if you are wearing a high SPF on your face, this will protect it.

4. Glycolic acid products treat surface imperfections so you can expect to see smaller pores, and an improved skin tone which will improve the more treatments that you have.  How many treatments you have will be discussed with your personal skin therapist.

5. Because glycolic acid works by penetrating quickly those top layers of skin, those layers are exfoliated to encourage new skin growth which can reduce acne side effects. And overtime, the use of peels may help to decrease acne breakouts.

6. Chemical based products actually stimulate collagen production in your skin, and in the days following treatment, this is further improved.

7. It is thought that long term use of glycolic acid skincare products has been shown to help diminish fine lines, wrinkles and age spots and control sebum production which leads to skin breakouts and blemishes.

8. Hyperpigmentation is an excess production of melanin, a pigment that gives skin its colour. Acne sufferers can experience hyperpigmentation which are scars left on the skin after an acne breakout. The scar left behind is a discolouring or darkening of the skin in specific areas   Acne, blackheads and whiteheads that are picked are more likely to result in this condition. Excessive sun exposure can also cause an increase in skin melanin which results in darkened patches on the skin.  But the effects can be reversed with a concentrated skincare regime. The earliest that hyperpigmentation is treated, the more likely that scars and spots are to respond to treatment. The use of lightening concentrate facial products containing collagen and vitamin c enoourage cell renewal and give the appearance of younger looking skin.

9.  The use of vitamin c in facial products is underrated, as a natural skin brightener because it neutralises free radicals, making skin look smoother and younger and reversing sun damage.  It also improves brightness, tone and texture, a miracle skin saviour in many ways.

10.  Pomegranate enzyme is an ingredient used in the BeautyLab glycolic facial treatment, and it has many antioxidant and antibacterial properties to gently exfoliate and help prevent blemishes. The enzyme also allows for penetration and absorption of active ingredients, which then allows moisturising skin creams to do their work.

Glycolic acid can do wonders for your skin, and if used in the right way with a professional skin therapist can give that rejuvenated, fresh looking glow that we all secretly desire.  As with any treatment using an acid base, each customer would have a skin assessment first to determine sensitivity, look at recurrent skin complaints and or skin issues which need to be managed. For example, for a customer with sensitive skin, the acid blend will be at its lowest and post the treatment, the side effects will show a pinky toned skintone.

Besides glycolic acid, I cater to all specific skin concerns, and have a range of BeautyLab products to brighten and even skin tone.  The Lemon Peel Lightening Concentrate is an advanced lightening serum which will minimise the appearance of hyper pigmentation. Skin will look more luminous and brighter giving that 'glow' back to your face.  Meanwhile, the Peptide Lightening Complex is a skin lightening daily moisturiser to brighten and even skin tone.  It will help to repair, lighten and reduce the look of dark spots and prevent new ones from appearning.  Skin will look more radiant and even toned. Finally, the Vitamin C Serum will improve overall skin appearance. A powerful antioxidant combination will help to build collagen (the building blocks of protein to replump skin), and minimise the appearance of age spots.  The high vitamin c content plays an important role in maintaining healthy cell function.

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