how to get rid of acne scars

How to Get Rid of Acne Using Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid, known as a fruit acid, is an Alpha Hydroxyl Acid, one of the most effective chemical to use in the treatment of many skin conditions (such as: acne, blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, bumps, psoriasis, eczema, dry skin, age spots, and pre-cancerous growths.). It comes from sugar cane and is considered a natural product. Citric acid is also another form of glycolic acid and is found in lemons, oranges, lime, and grapefruits.

Glycolic acid can penetrate deeply into the skin cells due to its small molecular size. Once inside the cell, it will trigger new formation of collagen and turn on the synthesis of dermal glycosaminoglycans to plump up the cell and the ground substances in the skin to reduce wrinkles on the skin’s surface. Glycolic acid also affects the newly forming keratin cells at the bottom of the stratum corneum. This gives a skin a much smoother look and feel.

Glycolic acid in acne products is used as an exfoliate and moisturizer too because of its high acidity and easy of solubility. In a cream, glycolic acid gets under the damaged upper layers of the skin and dissolves the chemicals that hold the dead skin in place. Glycolic acid has been found to be effective in cleaning dead skin cells, but it must be used in the proper concentration, 10% or less. Using glycolic acid may also leave the skin sensitive to the sun. It is recommended that sun screen be used after treating your skin with glycolic acid.

To make the acne glycolic acid more effective, consider taking skin related supplements, MSM, Colostrum, and vitamins. Supplements will enhance the use of glycolic acid. MSM, Colostrum, and vitamins feed and protect the formation of cells. Glycolic acid that is used in combination with Vitamin C and Retinol can triggers the formation of collagen and speeds up the skin’s renewal process.

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars With Glycolic Acid

To remove acne scars, we can use a chemical peel containing glycolic acid. It will loosen the substance that holds your surface skin cells together. Once it’s loosened, it can be peeled off and the dead skin is gone, the newer skin underneath looks fresh and healthy. Glycolic acid peels only takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Usually it is suggested that you repeat the glycolic acid treatment ever two weeks.

Glycolic acid for the removing of acne scars are thought of as very easy to use. While these are considered mild, the level of acid in them makes them stronger. The only way to use a strong glycolic peel, you will have to go to a dermatologist who will apply a solution with the concentration of about 20 to 80 percent. The stronger the acid level in the peel, the deeper level of skin tissue will be removed. These peels can also be weakened with baking soda and water to neutralize the acid effect. It can really help with acne breakouts, and the results last about a month.

acne on back

Back Acne Treatment

Back acne also known as bacne, usually appears on the back, upper arms and the buttocks in the form of pimples, blackheads, and pustules. Back acne is also prone to becoming cystic and developing scars.

What Causes Back Acne?
Back acne is basically caused by hormonal imbalance. Tight-fitting clothing does not allow the perspiration to evaporate easily. This trapped sweat, mixed with the oil secreted by the sebaceous glands, causes the skin pores on the back to clog and cause acne.

Back Acne Prevention

To prevent acne, therefore, take a shower after you return from your active exercise. If you can’t reach your back, you can purchase a back scrubber. It will help you fight acne by removing dead skin and unclogging blocked pores. Soap will remove excess oils that build up on your lower back, shoulder blades, and in the center of your back.

Back Acne Treatment

Topical antibiotic drug of medication for body acne such as erythromycin, clindamycin, stiemycin or tetracycline can kill the bacteria that block folicles on your skin.

Use an over-the-counter product containing benzoyl peroxide (some experts have found this to work better than salicylic acid), try to find one with 2.5% bp, apply it to your back about ten minutes after washing, once or twice a day. It helps break up the plug of dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil that clogs the pore and forms an acne blemish. Allow time for the product to dry up before you wear your clothes. Start with the lowest concentration, and work your way up. It is also good to follow up with an alpha-hydroxy acid body moisturizer which will exfoliate the skin without drying it out.

If you choose to go to the doctor, he may get you an oral prescription of antibiotics like tetracycline or minocycline. The skin on back is tougher than face skin, therefore more aggressive products are used to treat back acne. These include products like Retin A cream or a ten-percent benzoyl peroxide wash.

In even more severe cases, the drug Accutane is used in higher doses than those prescribed in facial acne. Accutane is a vitamin A derivative administered in pill form for 15-20 weeks. It has been shown to dramatically and often permanently shrink oil glands, leading to reduction and at times remission of acne symptoms. But please be aware also of its side effects possibility, like: ached joints, dry eyes, dry lips, and faster thinned hair.

Some other useful tips for you:

- Stay clear of backpacks and over the shoulder bags and the gear we use can aggravate acne of the body.

- Wear loose fitting clothes made of cotton and apply powder to keep the skin dry. Change your clothes at least twice a day.

- Antiperspirants can also be used on the back but not when a tough physical exertion is going on. This is important because sweating is important to cool down the body.

- Keep your hygiene during work and sleep to keep the bacteria away.

(* Summary about Back Acne by Brain and Peter Hutch)