Scientific Evidence of Glycolic Acid in Chemical Peel

ACNE/OILY Skin

1) "Glycolic acid chemical peels are an effective treatment for all types of acne, inducing rapid improvement and restoration to normal looking skin."

    Atzori, L., Brundu, M.A., Orru, A. and Biggio, P. (1999), Glycolic acid peeling in the treatment of acne. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 12: 119–122. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.1999.tb01000.x

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-3083.1999.tb01000.x/epdf 

    2) "Chemical peeling with 35% glycolic acid (at pH 1.2) decreased the number of propionibacteria on the cheeks of patients compared with untreated controls."

    Yuko Takenaka, M.D., Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1346-8138.2011.01321.x/full

    DRY/SENSITIVE

    "Superficial peels, such as 70% Glycolic Acid proved to be an effective treatment modality for photodamaged facial skin. Both acids contribute to improvement of the photodamaged skin's parameters. Glycolic acid increases skin's hydration faster."

    Kubiak M1, Mucha P, Dębowska R, Rotsztejn H. Evaluation of 70% glycolic peels versus 15% trichloroacetic peels for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin in aging women.  Dermatol Surg. 2014 Aug;40(8):883-91. doi: 10.1097/01.DSS.0000452669.84787.bf.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25068547 

    PREGNANCY

    "After 12 weeks, 79% reduction (from 26.6 to 5.6) in GA group. A prepeel program of daily application of 12% GA cream at night for 2 weeks, followed by graded increase in GA and TCA concentrations proved to be an equally effective treatment modality for epidermal and mixed melasma. There are hardly any major side effects, and regular use of sunscreens prevents chances of postpeel hyperpigmentation. GA peel is associated with fewer side effects and has the added advantage of facial rejuvenation."

    Kumari R, Thappa DM. Comparative study of trichloroacetic acid versus glycolic acid chemical peels in the treatment of melasma. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2010;76:447

    http://www.ijdvl.com/text.asp?2010/76/4/447/66602

    ACNE SCARRED

    "Glycolic acid peeling is an effective modality for the treatment of atrophic acne scars, but repetitive peels (at least six times) with 70% concentration are necessary to obtain evident improvement."

    Erbağcı, Z. and Akçalı, C. (2000), Biweekly serial glycolic acid peels vs. long-term daily use of topical low-strength glycolic acid in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. International Journal of Dermatology, 39: 789–794. doi:10.1046/j.1365-4362.2000.00076.x

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-4362.2000.00076.x/abstract

    ANTI-WRINKLE

    "30% of Glycolic Acid-treated subjects demonstrated significant reduction of fine lines/wrinkles compared to baseline. Based on the tolerance level of the subjects and clinical observations of an expert dermatologist for 12 weeks at biweekly intervals, 20–50% GA peel in reducing facial hyperpigmentation and fine lines/wrinkles."

    Oresajo, C., Yatskayer, M. and Hansenne, I. (2008), Clinical tolerance and efficacy of capryloyl salicylic acid peel compared to a glycolic acid peel in subjects with fine lines/wrinkles and hyperpigmented skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 7: 259–262. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2008.00403.x

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2008.00403.x/full

    GLYCOLIC ACID/STANDARD

    "Topical glycolic acid in the concentration of 10-30% for 3-5 minutes at fortnightly intervals was investigated as a therapeutic peeling agent in 41 patients having acne (39%), melasma (36.5%), post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (12%) and superficial scarring of varied etiology (12%). A final evaluation done at 16 weeks revealed that this modality is useful especially in superficial scarring and melasma, moderately successful in acne patients with no response in dermal pigmentation"

    Grover C, Reddu B S. The therapeutic value of glycolic acid peels in dermatology. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2003;69:148-50

     http://www.ijdvl.com/text.asp?2003/69/2/148/5903