The harm of salicylic acid in removing acne

Cosmetics can be said to be the most magical things in the world. They can quickly improve your appearance without plastic surgery. It is very convenient. Similarly, the functions of cosmetics are also different. For example, salicylic acid is considered to be a beauty product that removes dead skin, promotes skin metabolism, shrinks pores, removes blackheads, effectively fades fine lines and wrinkles, and restores skin luster. It exists in the status of "god", removing all impurities from the skin and giving you baby-like skin. Therefore, most of the anti-acne cosmetics on the market contain salicylic acid. But everything has two sides. Let’s take a look at the harms of salicylic acid acne treatment.

Among anti-acne drugs, salicylic acid is considered to be a very safe and effective anti-acne (anti-blackhead) product. It is a panacea that can cure all kinds of acne. The effects of salicylic acid are always exaggerated and beautified by sales personnel with certain purposes, causing everyone to always fall into consumption conspiracies and health risks. But is salicylic acid really so effective in removing acne? Today we will learn about the real salicylic acid and the acne-removing principles of salicylic acid.

1. What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid, also known as salicylic acid, can be extracted from willow bark. Its chemical name is also o-hydroxybenzoic acid. It appears as white needle-shaped crystals or hairy crystalline powder and is an important fine chemical raw material. In the pharmaceutical industry, salicylic acid itself is a widely used disinfectant and preservative. As a pharmaceutical intermediate, salicylic acid has many derivatives, one of which is aspirin, an old drug commonly used in medicine.

2. The principle of salicylic acid in removing acne

Salicylic acid has antibacterial properties against microorganisms when applied externally. The principle of acne removal is to unclog the pores, dissolve the constituent substances between the cuticles, cause the cuticle to fall off, and remove the cuticle that is too thick. The famous saying about salicylic acid acne removal is "As long as the pores are not blocked, acne will not easily appear."

3. Side effects of salicylic acid

Local side effects : Excessive removal of the stratum corneum will weaken the skin's defense ability and erythema, itching, stinging or allergies may occur. Therefore, the use of salicylic acid requires enhanced moisturizing and repair, and it is best to avoid contact with the eyes, face, reproductive organs and mucous membranes. Patients with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease of the limbs, or infants and young children should consider using salicylic acid with caution, as it may cause rosary inflammation or ulcers, or even death.

Systemic symptoms : For general skin care and small-scale users, there should be no systemic side effects. However, patients who use salicylic acid over a large area (greater than 30% of the body area) or for a long time should pay special attention to salicylic acid poisoning. Such as dizziness, confusion, mental disorder, shortness of breath, persistent ringing in the ears, severe or persistent headache, tingling. These symptoms are more likely to occur in children and patients with renal or liver dysfunction.

Precautions for using acne products containing salicylic acid :

1. Avoid contact with eyes and other mucous membranes (such as mouth, nose, etc.).

2. If there is a burning sensation, redness or swelling at the medication site, stop using the product and wash off the local medication. Consult a physician if necessary.

3. It should not be used on broken skin, inflamed or infected skin.

4. This drug can be absorbed through the skin and should not be used for a long time.

5. This drug should not be used on a large area to avoid absorption and poisoning.

6. If you are using other medicines, please consult your physician or pharmacist before using salicylic acid products.

To sum up : salicylic acid acne treatment is just a simple exfoliation and cannot solve the fundamental problem of acne, which is the imbalance of sebum secretion by the sebaceous glands. Therefore, the use of salicylic acid acne treatment is prone to recurrence. During the use of the drug, the acne phenomenon will be alleviated, but once the drug is stopped, the acne will spread. And salicylic acid should not be used on inflamed skin. Applying salicylic acid on acne-prone skin is like rubbing salt into the wound, which will aggravate the problem. To treat acne, you should also solve the acne problem fundamentally, regulate your endocrine system, and truly eliminate acne from the inside out.