If you are involved in the quest for younger, smoother skin, you most likely have heard of alpha hydroxy acids. They have been clinically tested and found to reduce the appearance of fine lines in your skin. AHAs are popular additives to many anti-aging creams and are also available in prescription form from your doctor. While they may work for some, they also carry dangers and risks for other individuals.
Considerations
Alpha hydroxy acids are derived from fruit, plant and milk sugars and are used to exfoliate and remove the dry, dead cell layers. This usually improves the appearance of your skin. They also make your skin appear firmer and fine lines less obvious because they help to thicken your skin's collagen layer. The greater the percentage of AHAs added to a skin care product or a peel, the more effective the product should be. Prescription products contain the highest percentage of active ingredients, but they are also most likely to cause adverse reactions.
Skin Irritation
One of the most frequent problems with the use of AHA is skin irritation and redness. If you have sensitive skin or a diagnosed skin condition such as rosacea, the natural irritation caused by AHAs can be magnified. Because of the likelihood that your response may be intensified, speak with your health care provider before using a product containing AHAs. If you live in an area that experiences a winter heating season, your product containing AHAs may cause more irritation in the winter than at other times of the year. This is caused by the extra dryness of your skin during winter.
Allergic Reactions
Some individuals have a severe reaction to products containing AHA. Adverse reactions include swelling, burning, blistering, bleeding, rashes and secondary infections due to broken and irritated skin. If your skin is sensitive or if you have experienced allergic reactions to other topical products, use AHAs with caution. The higher the concentration of acid, the more likely you will be to experience adverse effects. However, if you are severely allergic, you could experience reactions from over-the-counter preparations.
Skin Cancer
Because AHA makes your skin more sensitive to sunburn, it is essential to wear a protective sunscreen. Unfortunately, many users disregard these instructions. There is concern that the increased sun sensitivity and concomitant sunburn will leave you more susceptible to skin cancer. The FDA is revisiting its position on the use of AHAs in products to determine if they need to be classified as a drug and regulated to help reduce the chance of skin cancer. At the least, expect to see warnings on packages of products that contain AHA.
References
- "Los Angeles Times": A Hidden Danger in Skin Care
- Smart Skin Care: Pros and Cons of Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids
- PubMed: An Evaluation of the Effect of an Alpha Hydroxy Acid-Blend Skin Cream in the Cosmetic Improvement of Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Xerosis, Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis and Ichthyosis; S. Kempers et al.; June 1998
- Bermuda Hospitals Board: Aging Skin
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