Glycolic Acid & Keloids

Glycolic acid is one of the many alpha hydroxy acids used to improve the appearance of the skin. It's found in many facial cleansers and creams in fairly low concentrations to combat the common signs of aging. While it's known to reduce wrinkles, dryness and skin discolorations, glycolic acid isn't typically used to treat raised scars such as keloids. In fact, the irritation caused by this acidic agent could potentially lead to undesirable side effects, especially when applied in higher concentrations.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is often used in the mildest of chemical peels, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Only the very surface layer of the skin is removed during a glycolic peel, which can help to improve the appearance of wrinkles, dry skin, acne and uneven pigmentation. But with keloids, even in the highest of concentrations, glycolic acid can only really soften the raised scar tissue. It won't remove it.

Skin Reactions

Chemical Peels for Scars

Learn More

Due to the unpredictable reaction of the skin to this acidic agent, using glycolic acid peels to improve keloids actually carry some risks. Though rare, chemical peels can lead to scarring. And since you have a history of keloids, you're more likely to develop another. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology explains that keloids can arise from minor injuries to the skin 2. The irritation and subsequent blistering caused by a glycolic acid peel has the potential of worsening a preexisting keloid.

Recommendations

Chemical peels using glycolic acid are far more appropriate in treating shallow scars, advises the American Academy of Dermatology 12. The formation of new skin cells caused by the peel can help smooth slight indentations with the surrounding skin, making the scar less noticeable than before. However, it may take a number of treatments to provide the desired results.

Improving Keloids

Skin Bleach for Scars

Learn More

Instead of using glycolic acid to improve the appearance of keloids, most medical professionals suggest intralesional injections of corticosteroids as a treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology states that they not only soften keloids, but also flatten the raised scar tissue with the rest of the skin 12.

Other Treatments

If corticosteroids fail to provide results, you can turn to other options, which often include:

• cryotherapy
  
• surgical removal
  
• laser therapy
  
• silicone gels

Actually, the American Academy of Dermatology advises the use of pulsed dye lasers 12. The laser energy helps to flatten the keloid as well as lighten any hyperpigmentation affecting the raised scar tissue.