Salicylic Acid Peels

Published on 15/03/2015 by admin

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Last modified 15/03/2015

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5 Salicylic Acid Peels

Introduction

Salicylic acid (ortho-hydroxybenzoic acid) is a beta hydroxy acid agent (Fig 5.1), the properties and use of which were first described by Unna, a German dermatologist. It is a lipophilic compound which removes intercellular lipids that are covalently linked to the cornified envelope surrounding cornified epithelioid cells. Owing to its antihyperplastic effects on the epidermis, multiple studies document the beneficial effects of salicylic acid as a peeling agent. Salicylic acid has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. See Table 5.1.

Table 5.1 Differences between AHAs and BHAs

  AHA BHA
Lipophilic +
Anesthetic properties +
Must be neutralized +
Frosts +
Useful in pregnancy and nursing +
Safe in all skin types + +

Patient Selection

Indications for salicylic acid peels include acne vulgaris (inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions), acne rosacea, melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), freckles, lentigines, mild to moderate photodamage, and texturally rough skin (Figs 5.25.4). Salicylic acid peels are well tolerated in all skin types (Fitzpatrick’s I to VI) and in all racial/ethnic groups. See Box 5.1.

The efficacy of salicylic acid peeling has been assessed in several studies. Fifty percent salicylic acid ointment peeling was first used by Aronsohn to treat 81 patients who had freckles, pigmentation, and aging changes of the hands. He reported excellent results. Subsequently, other practitioners successfully used a 50% salicylic acid ointment paste, containing croton oil and buffered with methyl salicylate, for treatment of lentigines, pigmented keratoses and actinically damaged skin of the dorsal hands and forearms. After pretreatment with topical tretinoin and localized TCA 20%, the 50% salicylic acid paste was applied to the affected area and occluded for 48 hours. Following dressing removal, peeling and desquamation occurred and was relatively complete by the tenth day. Overall results were described as excellent. Despite these results, salicylic acid peeling did not move into the arena of popular peeling techniques until the mid 1990s. Kligman and Kligman ushered salicylic acid into the current arena of superficial peeling agents. They treated 50 women with mild to moderate photodamage, reporting improvement in pigmented lesions and surface roughness, and reduction in fine lines.

Grimes and colleagues reported substantial efficacy and minimal side effects in 25 patients treated with 20% and 30% salicylic acid peels in darker racial/ethnic groups. Conditions treated included acne vulgaris, melasma, and PIH. In addition, in a retrospective analysis of 90 patients treated by the author with salicylic acid peeling, 70% had significant improvement in acne and pigmentation, 25% had mild improvement, and 5% had minimal improvement.

Lee and colleagues treated 35 Korean patients with facial acne using 30% salicylic acid peels biweekly for 12 weeks. Both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions were significantly improved. In general, the peel was well tolerated with few side effects. Given the aforementioned findings, there are several advantages and disadvantages of salicylic acid peeling (Table 5.2).

Table 5.2 Advantages and disadvantages of salicylic acid peeling

Advantages Disadvantages
An established safety profile in patients with skin types I–VI Limited depth of peeling
It is an excellent peeling agent in patients with acne vulgaris Minimal efficacy in patients with significant photodamage
Given the appearance of the white precipitate, uniformity of application is easily achieved  
After several minutes the peel can induce an anesthetic effect, thereby increasing patient tolerance