Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, a peeling agent that sheds the top layer of skin. By softening and loosening dry and scaly skin, the skin slowly falls off. Salicylic acid is found in chemical peels and medications for acne, dandruff, corns, calluses and warts. Depending on the product and concentration of salicylic acid, some can be used several times a day or just a few times a week. Some medications are prescription, especially those that have high concentrations of salicylic acid that are designed to destroy concentrated areas of skin.
Acne
Salicylic acid can be found in products that are made to treat and prevent acne by unclogging pores and reducing swelling and redness. Gels, lotions and cleansers are made with 0.5 percent to 2 percent salicylic acid. Gels can be wiped on the affected areas with a cotton ball or pad and lotions can be applied in a thin layer. Facial cleansers can be lathered on with warm water. It may take a few weeks to see results from using salicylic acid products for acne, and dryness and irritation can occur as skin is adjusting to the medication.
It is also found in higher concentrations in chemical peels that shed the first layer of skin on the face for treatment of acne.
Dandruff
Salicylic acid can help to treat dandruff by softening the skin on the scalp and preventing flakes from occurring. Some dandruff shampoos contain 1.8 percent to 2 percent salicylic acid. The shampoo should be rubbed into wet hair and scalp for two to three minutes and then rinsed out. It should be used until the dandruff is gone, but it may take a few weeks to see a decrease in dandruff and scalp dryness as the skin adjusts to the medication.
Warts, Corns and Calluses
Gels, plasters, soaps, patches and creams that are made to treat warts, corns and calluses can contain 5 percent to 26 percent salicylic acid. Many salicylic acid plasters can be applied every two days and left on until the wart, corn or callus is gone. Soaps can be added to a foot bath along with hot water, while patches can be trimmed to cover the affected area, applied and left on overnight. Corns and calluses can be soaked in warm water for five minutes before applying the medication, and removing the loose skin with a brush or emery board first can improve the results.
