What acetylsalicylic acid is used for, what it is, dosage, uses, and properties

The acetylsalicylic acid is a drug from the salicylates group, used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. It is the same as aspirin and, besides being taken in pill form, it can also be used to treat the skin by applying it as a facial mask or as a plaster on the body.

What is acetylsalicylic acid and what is it used for

Acetylsalicylic acid is an oral analgesic used to treat headaches. This substance works as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), acting very well to relieve discomfort and help you feel better in a few minutes. It is commonly found in most homes due to its easy availability.

Additionally, acetylsalicylic acid is used to eliminate fever, as it is antipyretic, a product that lowers body temperature due to its antithermic properties.

As we mentioned earlier, its benefits come from the fact that it belongs to the salicylates family, with the name “acetylsalicylic” which can be shortened as “AAS” or identified by its chemical formula C₉H₈O₄.

Moreover, due to its benefits for the skin, it is also used as an active cosmetic ingredient, reducing imperfections, wrinkles, and other skin disorders.

There are many uses for it, so next, we explain one by one what acetylsalicylic acid is used for.

Pregnancy

Many women have doubts about whether it is safe to take acetylsalicylic acid during pregnancy, and the answer is that it is recommended to prevent preeclampsia, meaning to avoid gestational hypertension or high blood pressure.

However, although it is beneficial, it is always recommended to consult with an obstetrician or gynecologist as the recommendation is based on risk factors, considering the woman’s medical history.

The dose can range from 75 to 100 mg per day, with treatment ending at the conclusion of the first trimester or at the 16th week of pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

The use of acetylsalicylic acid during breastfeeding is not recommended unless specifically indicated by a specialist.

It has been proven that small amounts are excreted in breast milk, and although the amounts are low, there is a risk of Reye’s syndrome during childhood when it is administered to children.

In theory, the secretion ingested by the infant is not the cause, and no related cases have been found, but caution is always advised with the use of this type of medicinal substance.

Skin cream

In topical form, it can be used to prevent acne, pimples, and blemishes on the face. Acetylsalicylic acid in cream works to eliminate spots, brighten the skin by using it as a facial mask, and to treat symptoms of peeling and small benign tumors.

It is known to have beneficial effects on some cases of psoriasis, a disease that produces red patches with scales and increases skin dryness.

In congenital diseases such as ichthyosis, it also provides benefits since symptoms appear in the epidermal tissue, very similarly to how it appears in psoriasis and other skin conditions.

Acetylsalicylic acid for the skin should be applied topically, that is, on the skin, always for external use.

Its medicinal and therapeutic properties will help to even out the skin tone, smooth the skin, and improve the appearance of the entire face.

Acne

Because it has keratolytic properties, when used as a facial treatment, it reduces inflammation and increases skin regeneration. Acetylsalicylic acid for acne shares some of the properties of salicylic acid properties, and it is always recommended to use the latter for dermatological treatments.

While in some cases a homemade mask is made with acetylsalicylic acid, as we pointed out, it is always much more precise to use its chemical formula without “acetyl“, since it can also be bought ready for this use, often paired with other cosmetic acids such as glycolic acid, mandelic acid, ferulic acid, etc.

If you are interested in knowing the best treatments for acne and facial imperfections, we recommend that you check the section where facial peeling and the best substances for it are explained.

What we can say is that due to its properties, it penetrates the stratum corneum, making it thinner, reducing the inflammation characteristic of large pimples and blackheads, as well as decreasing redness.

Headache

It is the most commonly used analgesic to relieve discomfort and mild headaches. Acetylsalicylic acid for headaches is very effective in eliminating discomfort. However, you should always wait for a while for it to take effect, as when taken orally, it needs some time to be absorbed. But once it has been dissolved in the stomach, you will start feeling its benefits.

The function of acetylsalicylic acid in the human body is involved in the mechanisms that trigger pain, meaning it blocks their occurrence.

It is important to note that it is not a cure, but rather prevents discomfort. If there is an underlying disorder, it will not heal it. It simply prevents you from feeling pain.

It can also be taken for other similar symptoms, such as toothache, when there is a blow, sprain, etc.

Properties and Benefits

We have already discussed what it is used for and its recommended uses, but now let’s go into more detail about the properties of acetylsalicylic acid:

• Analgesic.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Antipyretic.
• As an antiplatelet agent.
• Keratolytic.

The most well-known and widely used property is to eliminate pain. Its analgesic properties work throughout the body when ingested, being most commonly known as Aspirin, from the Bayer laboratory, which first synthesized it in 1897.

Another property is antipyretic, used to eliminate fever, being very effective when we notice an increase in body temperature. Just take a pill and wait an hour to notice how it decreases.

Additionally, acetylsalicylic acid is anticoagulant, which should always be considered if taking certain medications like Warfarin, as it would increase their effects.

In this case, its benefits are to prevent blood clotting, avoiding problems with thrombosis. In many cases, its use is recommended for patients with heart problems, acute myocardial infarction, and circulatory disorders.

As for its keratolytic properties, we can say that the benefits of acetylsalicylic acid for the skin are to treat peeling, face and body spots, reduce calluses, hard skin, and remove warts due to its keratolytic effect.

It can be included as an ingredient in peeling treatments due to its ability to enhance the destruction of the skin’s stratum corneum. This makes its medium- and long-term use effective for removing facial imperfections. It can layer by layer remove folds and small scars when used daily.

Uses

When used topically, it is quite likely to develop symptoms of dry and irritated skin, as you can read in its side effects and contraindications listed later.

To avoid these reactions with acetylsalicylic acid, it is recommended to start the application with a greater time interval than recommended and, gradually, as the skin builds tolerance, increase the dose until the correct amount is reached. As we use it, we will get accustomed to its topical use.

For tablets or pills, follow the instructions on the leaflet that comes with it. This is very important as it is a substance classified as a drug, so the informational leaflet will be extensive, detailing its advantages, disadvantages, and possible incompatibilities with other substances we may be taking.

The method of administration may vary, being taken once a day or two or three times a week. Here, you need to consider whether it is for oral intake or to be applied to the skin. Also, since it can be found in effervescent tablets of 300 mg, sometimes mixed with caffeine or other active ingredients, this should be considered. We will use it differently depending on whether it is pills or, for example, a cream.

Aspirin or Acetylsalicylic Acid Mask

The power of using an aspirin mask or acetylsalicylic acid is related to its properties for opening pores and helping pimples dry out.

Due to its keratolytic action, it removes the outer layers of the skin, functioning as a peeling, depigmenting, and exfoliating agent.

It helps eliminate dead skin cells, improving skin oxygenation, cleansing pores, and increasing the synthesis of natural collagen. However, this effect is achieved only when applied as a mask. In its other forms, the effects are different.

However, for facial treatment, it is always better to use a very similar active substance, almost identical in name, sharing many of its dermatological properties, but yielding better results for the face. This is none other than salicylic acid, which we’ve already discussed in Acetylsalicylic Acid for Acne. Take a look as it may clear up many doubts.

Also, for skin care, preventing wrinkles and achieving a smoother, softer complexion, you might be interested in retinoic acid cream or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), including glycolic acid for the face and other BHA acids.

Dose

• Oral dose:
  • Analgesic and antipyretic: 500 to 1,000 mg every 3 hours, every 6, and every 8 hours. It can be taken more or less frequently depending on the person’s symptoms.
• Antirheumatic: 3,500 to 5,500 mg per day, divided into two doses.
• Coagulation: 500 mg per day as an anti-platelet agent, to prevent blood clotting and improve flow.
• Toxic dose:
  • Children: 240 mg per kg of body weight.
  • Adults: 10 g.

Always read the leaflet instructions and follow the advice of your consulted doctor or pharmacist. These doses of acetylsalicylic acid serve as a reference, but they should never be followed against the specialist’s recommendations.

Always keep in mind that overdosing can cause serious side effects, and if too much is taken, seek medical attention. Doses above 20 g in adults can be fatal.

Contraindications

There are many situations where taking or using it is not recommended because it may interact with medications or cause discomfort due to our physiological condition. The contraindications of acetylsalicylic acid include:

• Menstruation.
• Genital, facial warts, etc.
• Birthmarks (there are much more effective dermatological treatments without side effects).
• Birthmarks.
• Blood system diseases.
• Use of anticoagulant treatments.
• Open wounds, cracked skin, redness, inflammation, etc.
• Skin infections.
• Allergy to salicylic acid.
• Alcohol consumption.
• Skin treatments such as retinol, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, sulfur, tretinoin, or dermocosmetic acids.
• Chickenpox and influenza due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding (see instructions).

Whenever you are going to use a product with this substance, it is advisable that it be indicated by a professional. Follow the instructions of a dermatologist, pharmacist, or similar to understand the frequency of use, daily amount, and the time you should use it.

Although it often works well, improper use can lead to side effects. It is better to ensure that you are not within the contraindications of acetylsalicylic acid and thus achieve satisfactory results free from adverse reactions.

Is it the same as aspirin?

Yes. Acetylsalicylic acid is aspirin, meaning the active ingredient is identical.

The difference is the brand name. Aspirin is a commercial name from Bayer, and acetylsalicylic is the generic name. It can be purchased under different names, but if we look at the composition, we will find that it refers to this substance.