Your legs are mainly referred to as strawberry legs due to their appearance similar to that of a strawberry. They are brown or red spots on your legs that are formed due to unhygienic skin conditions and the wrong shaving method.
Those who have strawberry legs know very well how they need to be cautious all the time to hide their legs. They cannot wear their favorite clothes, and cannot go out on beaches due to the fear of embarrassment, and this makes you anxious. But, fear not because you can make your legs smooth and clear again by using glycolic acid. Let’s see how can you use glycolic acid for strawberry legs.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: What is Glycolic Acid?
- Part 2: Is Glycolic Acid Good for Strawberry Legs?
- Part 3: How to Use Glycolic Acid for Strawberry Legs?
- Part 4: Best Glycolic Acid for Strawberry Legs
- Part 5: Precautions and Side Effects
Part 1: What is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid is a naturally occurring substance that belongs to the class of Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). Just like how other alpha hydroxy acids are obtained from fruits, It is also derived from beet, sugarcane, or other fruits such as grapefruit, kiwi, and oranges.
The acid is highly soluble in water and can also easily seep deep into your skin due to its small molecular structure. It is colorless and odorless so can be easily incorporated into your skincare for a variety of purposes.
Benefits of Glycolic Acid
- Exfoliates Skin and Unclog Pores: Glycolic acid acts as a chemical exfoliant that gets rid of dead skin cells, bacteria, and dirt from your pores. This unclogs the pores and decreases the risk of infections, acne, and breakouts.
- Evens Skin Tone: Glycolic acid can improve the production of collagen in your body. Collagen is essential to maintain the elasticity of your skin, cell repair, and treat uneven skin tone by getting rid of dark spots on the skin.
You can also help your skin by using turmeric. To know more, click 20 Benefits of Turmeric.
- Treat Hyperpigmentation: Glycolic acid fades melasma and hyperpigmentation by exfoliating the upper dead and dull skin cells thus allowing the newer healthy and fresh cells to come up. Moreover, it also increases cell turnover which is essential for getting rid of dark skin spots.
Part 2: Is Glycolic Acid Good for Strawberry Legs?
Strawberry legs are caused by dry skin, shaving without a hydrating agent, ingrown hairs, folliculitis, and clogging of your pores by bacteria and dead skin. And yes, this all can be treated just by adding glycolic acid to your skincare routine.
As glycolic acid can exfoliate the skin it means no clogging of pores and a decreased risk of infection. Moreover, glycolic acid also treats dry skin by increasing the levels of hyaluronic acid in your skin thus keeping it moisturized and smooth. Smooth skin will allow swift shaving and there will be less risk of ingrown hair, damaged skin, and ultimately strawberry legs.
The use of glycolic acid and proper shaving techniques can be enough for treating strawberry legs. To know the right shaving method, click How to Properly Shave to Prevent Body Injuries.
Part 3: How to Use Glycolic Acid for Strawberry Legs?
Strawberry legs can be treated with the help of glycolic acid as long as you are using it the right way. You can use it in the following ways:
Skin toner: You can add glycolic acid as a skin toner in your skincare and apply it at nighttime before sleeping. You only need to soak a cotton pad with the toner and then swipe the pad on your legs gently.
Peels: You can use glycolic acid in the form of a chemical peel. However, these peels contain glycolic acid in higher concentration so they are primarily at-office peels. So, you can consult your dermatologist to try the peels with lower concentrations and then eventually move to a higher amount
As an OTC product: If you are using glycolic acid as an over-the-counter product, make sure you are not using it more than four times a week. Start by applying it on your legs three times a week and if you see improvement with no skin irritation, you can increase it to four times
Part 4: Best Glycolic Acid for Strawberry Legs
AHA Lotion 15
AHA lotion 15 is a skincare product recommended by dermatologists for the treatment of strawberry legs. It contains multifruit BSC, milk protein, and 15% of glycolic acid. All these ingredients work together to gently exfoliate and hydrate your skin. This results in smooth and plump skin with an even skin tone.
It has a light creamy texture and gets absorbed into your skin easily. You just need to get your strawberry legs and then pat dry them. Next, apply the lotion and let it absorb.
The Ordinary
The Ordinary 7% toning solution has all the necessary ingredients to improve the appearance of your dull skin and help you get rid of strawberry legs. It is formulated with glycolic acid to exfoliate the skin, ginseng root, and Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract to soothe your skin, and Tasmanian Mountain Pepper to reduce your skin irritation.
Applying Ordinary glycolic acid strawberry legs can help you treat the dark spots on your legs and have clear skin.
Minimalist 11% Glycolic Acid
Another great exfoliating agent to treat your dry skin is the Minimalist 11% Glycolic acid along with tranexamic acid. It uses the combined power of alpha hydroxy acid (8% glycolic acid) and beta hydroxy acid (2% salicylic acid) to improve your skin texture, scrub off the impurities from the skin, dissolve pore-clogging sebum, and make your strawberry legs smooth.
Additionally, butyl resorcinol can fade away the hyperpigmentation and other age spots from your skin.
Maryann’s 30% Glycolic Acid
Maryann’s 30% glycolic acid contains glycolic acid, green tea extract, witch hazel, calendula extract, and several vitamins and oils to hydrate the skin and provide nourishment. It exfoliates your skin gently, improves your skin tone, and improves the production of collagen.
As the solution is available in the form of wipes so it can easily be used on your face anytime.
Part 5: Precautions and Side Effects
Side Effects
Glycolic acid is great for dry skin and strawberry legs but unfortunately, there are some side effects you might face. These include
- Skin Sensitivity: You might feel a slight tingling or burning sensation on your skin after the application of glycolic acid. The condition might also progress to redness and swelling
- Irritation and Rashes: If your skin is already sensitive, the application of glycolic acid can irritate your skin and cause rashes
- Dryness: While glycolic acid can hydrate your skin in most cases, its excessive use can make your skin dry and flaky
- Worsens Eczema: The acid can worsen skin conditions like eczema, herpes, and rosacea
Precautions
As glycolic acid comes with a number of side effects, there are some precautions you must follow so that you can avoid any skin damage while enjoying the benefits of glycolic acid.
- A higher concentration of glycolic acid in your skincare products can irritate your skin instead of helping the strawberry legs. So, use it in a lower amount
- Your skin becomes sensitive after microdermabrasion or waxing. Avoid using glycolic acid immediately after undergoing such treatments that abrade your epidermis
- Glycolic acid can cause sun sensitivity so do not use glycolic acid on days when you go out in the sun
- If you are already taking any medications for acne, stick with them only and do not apply acid alongside such medications
- People with already sensitive skin cannot use glycolic acid and if you want to use the product, it is best to consult a certified dermatologist first
Conclusion
As an exfoliator, glycolic acid can prove a great agent for the treatment of strawberry legs to get rid of clogged pores, and dry flaky skin, and prevent bacterial invasion into the skin.
However, its overuse can irritate your skin and cause skin sensitivity so it is advised to use the acid with precautions and personalize your approach with respect to your skin type. You can start by using less and then move to higher concentration or you can also ask for professional advice for safe use.
No products work overnight so be patient after you are done setting up your skincare routine and wait for the results. Now you know a way to help strawberry legs but if you have strawberry arms, read How to Get Rid of Strawberry Arms Fast at Home.
