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Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review

Authors Sharad J 

Received 2 June 2013

Accepted for publication 2 August 2013

Published 11 November 2013 Volume 2013:6 Pages 281—288

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S34029

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Jaishree Sharad

Skinfiniti Aesthetic Skin and Laser Clinic, Mumbai, India

Abstract: Chemical peels have been time-tested and are here to stay. Alpha-hydroxy peels are highly popular in the dermatologist's arsenal of procedures. Glycolic acid peel is the most common alpha-hydroxy acid peel, also known as fruit peel. It is simple, inexpensive, and has no downtime. This review talks about various studies of glycolic acid peels for various indications, such as acne, acne scars, melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, photoaging, and seborrhea. Combination therapies and treatment procedure are also discussed. Careful review of medical history, examination of the skin, and pre-peel priming of skin are important before every peel. Proper patient selection, peel timing, and neutralization on-time will ensure good results, with no side effects. Depth of the glycolic acid peel depends on the concentration of the acid used, the number of coats applied, and the time for which it is applied. Hence, it can be used as a very superficial peel, or even a medium depth peel. It has been found to be very safe with Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV. All in all, it is a peel that is here to stay.

Keywords: acne scar, melasma, photoaging, chemical peel, alpha-hydroxy peel

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