Explore our range of solutions for your specific concerns
Explore our range of solutions for your specific concerns
Explore our range of solutions for your specific concerns
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5 minutes read
October 14, 2024
In the realm of dermatology and skin care, glycolic acid is one of the most recognizable game-changing ingredients around. Being one of the alpha-hydroxy acids, it is known for its exfoliating, rejuvenating, and nurturing qualities. It is a go-to treatment for many who want smooth, glowing, and youthful skin. Since it fights acne, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation, glycolic acid might just be the trick to radiate a better appearance.
VLCC stands for being a leader in beauty and wellness that introduces glycolic acid into advanced skincare solutions, our experts help transform clients into having perfect, glowing, and young-looking skin.
Let’s dive deep into the causes, benefits, and treatments of glycolic acid, along with how to incorporate this super ingredient into your skincare routine.
What is glycolic acid?
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, derived from sugarcane. Glycolic acid is the type of AHA used because of its small molecular size: this makes the glycolic acid penetrate the deepest in the skin as compared to other AHAs. It helps improve the complexion and is recommended to treat many skin conditions like hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and acne.
Unlike other mechanical exfoliants, glycolic acids break chemical bonds in the dead cells on the surface of your skin. A chemical bonding agent closes gaps in dead skin cells and breaks them down; thus, removing the dull and dry skin and leaving it fresh and radiant looking.
Glycolic acid penetrates the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis. The cells trapped by dead cells are loosened by glycolic acid, allowing the cells to fall off spontaneously. Exfoliation leads to cell growth for a clearer and more even-toned complexion. Regular applications of glycolic acid-based treatments result in smoother and softer skin with a youthful texture.
Because glycolic acid is chemically composed of such a small molecular structure, it can penetrate the epidermis, a deeper layer of the skin, to induce collagen production. Collagen is a protein that gives elasticity and firmness to the skin, so the use of glycolic acid also helps remove the fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Glycolic acid for the skin has numerous benefits, which is why it is on the top of the most diverse and effective ingredients in skincare. Let's dig in and look at some of the benefits of glycolic acid for the skin:
1. Helps Remove Dead Skin Cells
The best applications of glycolic acid are mainly gentle exfoliation of the skin. It is simply a chemical exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and unclogs the pores. With regular use, this treatment will keep the complexion brighter and smoother.
2. Brightens the Skin
It helps unearth a brighter and even-toned complexion by shedding the outer layer of dull skin. Due to its ability, it is an appropriate treatment for those suffering from hyperpigmentation, age spots, or uneven skin tone.
3. Fights Acne
Glycolic acid is good for acne-prone skin as it exfoliates and opens up pores. It prevents future breakouts by removing dead skin cells and debris that cause pimples. Also, the anti-inflammatory effect reduces redness and irritation, making it a very good product for people struggling with acne.
4. Fades Fine Lines and Wrinkles
It smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles over time. Glycolic acid for the skin stimulates collagen, making it the best anti-aging product. The concept behind glycolic acid is that it encourages skin cell turnover, therefore, maintaining the youthful look of the skin.
5. Smoothens the Surface of the Skin
Glycolic acid also helps make the skin smooth and soft by removing the coarse texture. If you have skin that looks bumpy and has an uneven look, the most that glycolic acid can do for you is to renew the cells of your skin so that they appear softer and more refined.
6. Removes Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation
Glycolic acid may also be useful for those with hyperpigmentation due to dark spots or post-inflammatory scarring from acne, as its exfoliative nature may help break up the discolored parts of the skin to achieve a generally more balanced complexion over time.
7. Hydration Enhancement
Although glycolic acid is typically attributed as an exfoliant, it also has an impact on the skin's capacity to retain hydration. It eliminates the top dead skin-cell layer, thus, allowing moisturizing agents in the forms of serums or moisturizers to penetrate the skin, making the skincare sessions more effective.
There are multiple causes for common skin issues where glycolic acid-based products or treatments may be applied. Many of the common skin problems that glycolic acid can help address include:
Acne and clogged pores: A blockage in the pores results in acne, usually through dead skin cells, oil, and dirt. Glycolic acid cleanses the pores and makes sure that this blockage does not occur again.
Aging: As skin ages, it loses its ability to shed dead skin cells naturally. Glycolic acid helps speed up cell turnover, revealing fresher, younger skin beneath.
Sun Damage: Sun damage may cause dark patches, hyperpigmentation. Glycolic acid fades these spots, making the skin tone more even.
Dullness: This is often caused by the impact of building dead skin cells on the top part of the skin, which makes it appear worn-out and fatigued. Glycolic acid helps in combating this by exfoliating, hence leaving a bright, radiant complexion.
Uneven Skin Texture: Rough and uneven skin usually happens because of layers of dead skin cells. Glycolic acid helps smoothen these imperfections, making way to softer skin.
There are a lot of treatments at VLCC that contain glycolic acid and target various issues about the skin. Let's have a closer look at some of them:
Glycolic Acid Peels
Glycolic acid peel is the most popular treatment at VLCC. A glycolic chemical peel exfoliates the skin to reduce fine lines, acne scars, and pigmentation. Our dermatologists first assess your skin condition before giving you the glycolic acid, with the ideal concentration to meet the requirements of your skin.
Anti-Aging Facial with Glycolic Acid
The Glycolic Acid Facial is used for the treatment of apparent aging traits. It boosts collagen to diminish wrinkles and age spots and ensures cell turnover. Our experts administer the treatment so that your face shines with a healthy, youthful look.
Treatment of Acne with Glycolic Acid
Even for those with acne, VLCC's Acne Treatment contains the benefits of glycolic acid for the skin which cleanses and helps bring out lost pores to improve inflammation. The treatment minimizes breakouts and avoids future acne by keeping the pores clear and therefore decreasing its oil production.
Hyperpigmentation Treatment with Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is one of the products that can be used to lighten dark spots, melasma, and hyperpigmentation. So, this treatment gives you a softer, more even complexion overall.
You can also have a more at-home care regime with our VLCC range of products to include glycolic acid in your skincare. Again, it should be used with guidelines so you do not irritate your skin or cause adverse reactions:
Start off slowly: If this is your first use of glycolic acid, begin by using one that has a smaller concentration, such as 5%. Gradually increase the concentration levels as your skin becomes accustomed.
Do a patch test: Always do a patch test on a small part of your skin before you begin the glycolic acid treatment on your face to avoid any adverse reaction. Apply a small quantity on the inner forearm and wait for 24 hours to check on the irritation.
Frequency: It is advised that you use glycolic acid, 2-3 times a week in the initial stages. And after getting accustomed to it, you can increase the frequency of its usage as per the product, and as per the expert’s suggestions.
Apply moisturizer: Follow up with a good moisturizer because glycolic acid tends to be drying for the skin.
Use Sunscreen: Glycolic acid makes your skin sensitive to the sun so, wear broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day.
Like with another active ingredient, glycolic acid may be so strong that it can cause side effects, especially if it is applied incorrectly or in high concentrations. Here are some of them:
Skin Irritation: Irritation, redness, and burning can be caused by excessive use or by excessive concentration of glycolic acid.
Sun Sensitivity: Skin turns out to be sun-sensitive to UV rays because the active ingredient increases the sensitivity of the skin and causes sunburn. Sunscreen must be applied whenever using the products of glycolic acid.
Dryness: This can be one of the properties that make the product very drying. The removal of natural oils in the skin may irritate sensitive skin types.
The cost of glycolic acid treatments may vary because of the number of sessions, the concentration of the acid used, and the treatment plan recommended by our dermatologists. For example, at VLCC, we have different packages to make our services affordable without compromising on quality.
For example, the basic glycolic acid peel begins at around ₹2,000 per session.
Advanced treatments that address acne, and anti-aging, among others - can cost between ₹5,000 and ₹15,000 for a course.
Each course of treatment is tailored to ensure you receive the best treatment for your skin and budget, respectively.
Glycolic Acid for the skin is a very strong ingredient that can drastically change your skin by attacking any of the issues one may have, ranging from dullness, acne, fine lines, and dark spots. If properly included in the course of your skincare, it can provide you with smoother, brighter, and healthier-looking skin. Whether you apply it on its own or undergo professional treatment, glycolic acid remains an effective contender towards achieving a glowing complex.
Glycolic acid is an extremely potent ingredient that changes your skin in a whole range of ways, and treats your skin problems like acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, and so much more.
With VLCC's dermatologists and advanced treatments use the safest and most effective means to add glycolic acid to your skincare routine leaving you with that radiant, youthful glow. That's what you need, whether professional treatments or at-home care - VLCC has the solutions for getting your best skin.
Q1: How often can I use glycolic acid?
In the beginning, you may use it daily or 2-3 times a week, depending on experts’ advice. Let your skin adjust by using it frequently before you gradually increase the application. For lower concentrations, however, you can apply it daily or even for specific skin conditions as recommended by your dermatologist.
Q2: Is glycolic acid used for whitening the skin?
It is not a skin-whitening agent, though it definitely brightens up the complexion by removing dead skin cells and addressing hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.
Q3: Will glycolic acid remove dark spots?
Yes, it is known to fade dark spots over time. Because of its exfoliant nature, it pushes off dead skin cells while preventing sun damage and fades hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and acne marks that reveal a brighter, lighter skin.
Q4: What are the side effects of glycolic acid?
Common side effects of glycolic acid include irritation, dryness, redness, and sun sensitivity. Prevent these adverse effects by starting at lower concentration and wearing sunscreen.
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