This information is not meant to replace your physician and is simply provided as a free educational service to our visitors. If you feel that you have a skin problem, please consult with your physician. Facts:1. Also known as fruit acid or ascorbic (alpha hydroxy) acid which is essentially vitamin C. . AHAs are obtained from fruits such as lemons, grapes & apples, sugar cane & sour milk.
2. AHAs are water-soluble & are often added to skincare products particularly lactic acid (sour milk), glycolic acid (sugar cane) & malic acid (apples). Glycolic acid penerates easily into the skin as compared to the rest of the acids because of it’s small molecular size.
3. AHAs are meant to improve oily skin, prevent acne, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, reduce acne scars, improve skin’s texture & bring out radiance, treat fine lines, wrinkles & lighten freckles. However do not expect AHAs to heal very deep chickenpox & acne scars.
4. The outermost layer of our skin (which we can feel & see) is called the epidermis. The epidermis is covered with lots of dead cells. These dead cells undergo a regeneration process whereby they flake off during bathing or washing & cells from below the epidermis will surface. However due to pollution, sun, air-conditioning, age & other environmental causes, the regeneration process slows down & causes an accumulation of dead cells. This makes the skin dry & dull. AHAs promote the shedding of the dead cells & instigate the renewal scene to take place in order to make skin smooth-looking & radiant. AHAs may cause mild irritations & make skin sensitive to sunlight. Severe side-effects would occur if high concentrations of the acid (especially glycolic acid) is used.
5. An actinic keratosis can be said to be “going to college” to learn to become a skin cancer. Fortunately, natural skin defense mechanisms assure that the “drop out rate” is high. If they look like they are going to graduate and become skin cancers, they will have to be treated with local destructive techniques. These techniques may include surgery, freezing with liquid gases, certain acids, electrosurgery, and recently through the applications of certain externally applied medications containing anticancer drugs such as 5-fluorouracil.
6. Refrain from using AHA together with other products containing retinol or Vitamin C serum. Such a combination may be too harsh for the skin unless recommended by a dermatologist. . Also, do not expect AHA to work wonders overnight, it may take months before visible results can be seen.
7. Just as the craze of AHAs may still linger, some cosmetic researchers have gone ahead to introduce a new range of kinder, non-irritating agents such as BHA (Beta-hydroxy acid) & antioxidants such as co-enzyme Q10, green tea & vitamin C ester.
