What are the side effects of salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid has been an effective cure for acne since the last decade. Most of the good brands use salicylic acid in the composition of their acne treating face washes and creams etc. therefore it has become the most commonly recommended acne treatment. However, we all know that chemical containing creams and face washes or cleansers definitely have more side effects than natural substances. Therefore, salicylic also has some side effects. First, it should be made clear that how actually salicylic acid works. It actually works by removing the layers of dead cells from the skin. Through this way, the clean and fresh skin beneath the dead layers is revealed. Another function that salicylic does is that it prevents the dead cells to enter the pores. When the dead cells enter the pores, they cause inflammation by reacting with sebum and bacteria. Besides salicylic acid medication for acne treatment, there are others too that are mild acid solutions and work by peeling off the dead skin layer opening the follicles plugged by oil and dead cells. They nourish the skin to produce new healthy cells and activate the skin cell replacement cycle. They also reduce inflammation and prevent the skin from lesions. Still people prefer to take salicylic acid medications. It is because other mild medications have no effect on bacteria in the follicles (that reacts with oil to cause infection). Moreover, other medications have to be used on regular basis even after acne has gone so that its reappearance can be prevented.rnThere is no doubt that there are many benefits of salicylic acid for people having acne. Salicylic acid is the frequently used acne treatment and the most preferred one too. Nevertheless, the face washes with salicylic acid have various side effects that people should know. Following is the explanation of the most common side effects of face washes with salicylic acid. Dryness of skin: while using salicylic acid, the first and most noticeable side effect that one would face is the dryness of skin. For some people dryness is very common, therefore they would be able to treat it with some oil free moisturizer (people with acne should avoid moisturizers with oil). But in other cases dryness becomes so severe that one has to leave the medication of salicylic acid. Actually salicylic acid works against oil, which is produced by the oil glands (in excess in people with acne). So, to reduce the infection that bacteria causes by reacting with this oil and to reduce the production of oil, salicylic acid works to dry up the skin. As a result acne is also dried up and cured. But dryness becomes a very bad problem people who have dry skin and acne both, for this reason people with dry skin or people who have faced problems with salicylic acid should immediately consult their doctor. Irritation of skin: skin irritation is another common side effect of medications with salicylic acid. The skin usually becomes red and irritation is felt at the ruddy area. This is because salicylic acid is a chemical medication and chemicals medications are often harsh on skin. The best way is to consult dermatologist before using any chemical medication.