Salicylic acid is an extract of willow bark, which was used by Greek and Egyptian ancestors more than 2000 years ago to treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Salicylic acid is not easily soluble in water, but in ethanol, ether, propanol, turpentine and other organic solvents.
I. The mechanism of action of salicylic acid on the skin
1. antibacterial effect: salicylic acid is a broad-spectrum, microbiologically safe, well-tolerated, colorless skin antibacterial agent.
2. Anti-inflammatory effects: salicylic acid produces direct anti-epidemic and anti-inflammatory effects. In guinea pigs with UV-induced dermatitis, the local anti-inflammatory effect of salicylic acid was equal to 63-66% of that of pau d’arco or anti-inflammatory pain, about 77% of that of aspirin, and about 82% of that of hydrocortisone.
3. Keratin conditioning: salicylic acid has a two-way keratin conditioning effect, with anti-hyperkeratosis (keratin stabilization) and anti-keratinization effect, so that the normalization of the keratinization process.
4. lipophilicity: it can penetrate deep into pores and dissolve acne.
5. Other effects: salicylic acid also has synergistic drug absorption, antipruritic, astringent and light-absorbing effects.
Second, what are the indications of 2% salicylic acid
Acne (inflammatory acne, non-inflammatory acne)
Rosacea
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, adjuvant treatment of chloasma, treatment of stable psoriasis, ichthyosis, folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, cosmetic effects: photoaging, brightening and whitening skin tone, improving oily and rough skin.
What is supramolecular salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid is not easily soluble in water, so traditional salicylic acid preparations will use alcohol or other organic solvents to dissolve salicylic acid, which will irritate the skin. Also, because it is not a controlled slow release salicylic acid, the lower pH will irritate the skin (2% salicylic acid pH <3.0). Supramolecular salicylic acid, due to the use of supramolecular chemistry, is able to dissolve in water without the use of any organic solvents and has a controlled slow release capability that lasts for 12 hours, which improves bioavailability and reduces irritation. Supramolecular salicylic acid was granted a U.S. patent in October 2014 for its advanced technology, and in 2015, a patent was granted to Sequoia Pharmaceuticals in Sweden for the development of controlled and sustained release eye drops for the treatment of dry eye disease.
How do I use supramolecular salicylic acid?
Can I use supramolecular salicylic acid on sensitive skin?
Many sensitive skin conditions are associated with inflammation and co-microbial infections, and salicylic acid has excellent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are helpful for sensitive skin. Also, due to the supramolecular technology, there is no need to add organic solvents such as alcohol, which reduces skin irritation, and the controlled slow release dosage form allows salicylic acid to be released slowly, thus reducing skin irritation.
For particularly sensitive skin, a nourishing and conditioning mask with supramolecular salicylic acid can be used. Start by using it once a night or every other day for 5-10 minutes in the morning and evening to gradually build up the skin’s tolerance to the acid. After that, you can lengthen the time and frequency of use according to the skin’s tolerance, or even leave it on overnight and wash it off the next morning. For patients with severe acne or rosacea, you can combine some oral or topical medications or use it with Sensitive Heart to achieve better results.
Is it normal to have a tingling sensation after use?
After using supramolecular salicylic acid, some people will have a short-lived (1-2 minutes) tingling and itching sensation, which is a normal phenomenon, this is a manifestation of the rapid penetration of salicylic acid into the skin. When the tingling and burning sensation persists, wash it off with water and stop using it for 3-5 days. If allergy to salicylic acid is ruled out, you can start using it again for 5-10 minutes to gradually adapt your skin.
What should I do if my skin becomes red after use?
Acid with pH lower than 5.5 activates TRPV1 receptors on the nerve endings, causing capillary dilation, resulting in redness of the skin.
Supramolecular salicylic acid, due to the use of controlled and slow-release preparations, generally leads to less skin redness. Redness usually occurs in patients with serious skin barrier damage, and can be used in conjunction with medical skin care products to reduce stimulation and restore the sebaceous film.
Treatment: Wash off with water and discontinue use for 3-5 days. If allergy to salicylic acid is ruled out, use can be restarted for 5-10 minutes to gradually adapt the skin.
Can salicylic acid treat closed pimples and enlarged pores?
Salicylic acid is an oily substance that dissolves cured fatty grains, while salicylic acid has a keratin regulating effect that unclogs pores, which is certainly good for blackheads and whiteheads. When the cured oil particles are eliminated, the pores will generally shrink accordingly, as long as they are not enlarged by the cured fat particles for a long time and cannot be retracted.
What should I do if I break out after using salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid can unclog pores, remove old keratinocytes, and help normalize and metabolize the oil inside the pores. However, for a small number of acne sufferers who cannot metabolize their pores properly and have serious pore blockage, acne breakouts may occur, which is a normal phenomenon. Even if you don’t use salicylic acid to get rid of acne, the dirt in these pores has been in your skin for a long time, and it is the inability to unclog and eliminate this pore waste properly that causes acne to recur. It must be eliminated to make the acne completely better.
For a small number of patients, perhaps the acne breakout is the sure way to get rid of acne, and also the signal for salicylic acid to tell your skin to start unclogging and metabolizing your pores properly. The acne breakout process is frustrating, but there will come a time when it stops and persistence is the right way to go. Breakouts can be long or short, ranging from a mild basic breakout to 1-2 weeks. Some patients with deeply buried acne may experience breakouts for 2-3 months, at which point you can seek professional help for acne clearing to reduce breakouts.
How long does supramolecular salicylic acid take to work?
For inflammatory pimples and pustules, some acne patients can see the pimples and pustules deflate by the second day if they apply the Acne Treatment Gel 2-4 times a day and apply it thickly. For large pimples that are red, swollen and painful, it will take 2-3 days, at this time you can use 30% supramolecular salicylic acid and apply it overnight, the swelling will be gone by the second day. For blackheads and whiteheads, if the location is superficial, you can see the improvement in about 1 week, but for more deeply buried pimples, it will take longer and there may be a breakout.
Does salicylic acid cause dryness and peeling after using it?
Since salicylic acid has the ability to dissolve fat, supramolecular salicylic acid will also cause some dryness of the skin. The 2% concentration of supramolecular salicylic acid has a bi-directional keratinizing effect and exfoliates old keratin, so some patients may experience slight flaking. For the keratinized immature keratinized cells instead, it has the effect of promoting keratinization maturation, so 2% concentration of salicylic acid will not cause damage to the skin barrier function.
Since salicylic acid at 5% concentration or higher has a keratolytic effect, peeling will occur after salicylic acid resurfacing, which usually starts after 2-3 days and gets better after 1 week. When your doctor performs salicylic acid resurfacing for you, please discuss this with your doctor and your resurfacing interval will generally be determined based on your skin condition. The recommended resurfacing frequency is once a week for very oily skin and once every 3-4 weeks for sensitive skin.
Do I need to protect my skin from the sun after using salicylic acid?
Sun protection is a skin care regimen that is needed whether you use supramolecular salicylic acid or not to prevent photoaging. Salicylic acid is not photosensitive, so it can be used during the day. Salicylic acid also absorbs UVB from ultraviolet rays and is a sunscreen. Since salicylic acid has the ability to promote the absorption of other ingredients, it is advisable to use hard sun protection such as umbrellas and hats when it is not clear whether the specific ingredients of the sunscreen are safe.
Can salicylic acid treat acne marks?
The fresh pimple marks are generally red pimple marks caused by inflammation of capillaries, while the old pimple marks are discolored due to inflammation. Since salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory, keratinocyte conditioning, anti-coagulant effect (promotes microcirculation) and whitening effect (inhibits tyrosinase), it is better for both fresh and old acne marks.
Can salicylic acid be used for a long time?
Salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory, keratin conditioning (at 2% concentration it does not damage normal keratinocytes), anti-haemagglutination (promotes microcirculation), and creates a weak acidic skin environment. Long-term use is able to help the skin become increasingly healthy. After the skin improves, you can use it 2-3 times a week for 10-30 minutes each time. If you are a big oil skin, according to the skin condition, flexible control of the frequency and use time, you can also use it every day.