title: Glycolic acid peels for the treatment of wrinkles and photoaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxyacid that is useful as a chemical peeling agent.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the techniques using glycolic acid to remove actinic keratoses, fine wrinkles, lentigines, melasma, and seborrheic keratoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Applied in a carefully timed manner, the depth of penetration can be titrated by the timed duration of application of acid on the skin. Chemical peels are left on the skin for 3 to 7 minutes for most patients. For ideal results, the chemical peel can be repeated 3 to 4 times.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glycolic acid can easily be used to peel skin of all skin types with minimal risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have found glycolic acid can be an ideal adjunct to other cosmetic modalities such as soft tissue augmentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California-Los Angeles School of Medicine.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Moy
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murad
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Moy
mesh_terms: D002615:Chemexfoliation / Q000379:methods*; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006016:Glycolates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015595:Skin Aging
chemical_list: D006016:Glycolates; C031149:glycolic acid