Archive

Summer 2005, Vol. 13 No. 2

Hong Kong J. Dermatol. Venereol. (2005) 13, 83-85

Pearls in Dermatology

Salicylic acid peel (Acne peel)

IH Kim 金一煥

Abstract
Salicylic acid (SA) has recently been used in higher concentrations as a superficial chemical peeling agent. The author evaluated the efficacy and safety of SA peels as a treatment of acne vulgaris in Asian people. The results prove that this peel is the agent of choice for a number of reasons. Firstly, the lipophilic nature of salicylic acid attacks the comedone with a specific comedolytic action. Secondly, the anti-inflammatory property of salicylic acid is helpful for inflammatory acne lesions and post-inflammatory erythema. Thirdly, this non-inflammatory peel is safe in darker skin types and in the treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.