A popular ingredient in many an acne treatment, salicylic acid is known as one of the safer options that will still provide the desired results.  It has been used to treat acne, psoriasis, calluses, corns, keratosis pilaris, and warts by helping dead skin cells to shed more easily.  In addition, it has been known for its anti inflammatory properties as a metabolite of aspirin.

Because of its ability to promote skin cell turnover, salicylic acid has recently joined some of the more revolutionary skin care ingredients.  Dr Anthony Gaspari of the University of Maryland used this revolutionary ingredient to partially cure a man dubbed the “treeman.”  The “treeman” or Dede, as he is known by his family, is a man born in Indonesia, afflicted by strange growths all over his body, which inhibited him from completing basic daily tasks.  It was eventually discovered that Dede suffered from the Human Papilloma Virus and an abnormal immune system, which allowed it to develop bark-like growths.  Though multiple experimental treatments were used, daily use of a concentrated salicylic acid cream caused 40% of the wart growth to simply peel off.

Dede’s case is of course extreme and highly rare.  But, as many producers of skin and acne treatments know, salicylic acid can be used to treat a myriad of milder skin conditions such as acne vulgaris, without a problem.  As proven by many cases big and small, salicylic acid is a revolutionary ingredient capable, in the right concentrations, of ridding you of problem acne, possibly scars, and other unsightly skin conditions without many of the negative side effects associated with ingredients like retinol.

1. Philip A. Mackowiak (2000). “Brief History of Antipyretic Therapy”. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 31: 154-156.doi:10.1086/317510.

2. Campos, Nick. Tree Man. Optimal Health: Health News And Information With A Twist. http://6keysoptimalhealth.blogspot.com/2008/08/tree-man.html