Alpha hydroxy acid
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Facts
- Also known as fruit acid or ascorbic (alpha hydroxy) acid which is essentially vitamin C.
- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are obtained from fruits such as lemons, grapes and apples, sugar cane and sour milk.
- AHAs are water-soluble and are often added to skincare products particularly lactic acid (sour milk), glycolic acid (sugar cane) and 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.
- AHAs are meant to improve oily skin, prevent acne, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, reduce acne scars, improve skin's texture and bring out radiance, treat fine lines, wrinkles and lighten freckles. However do not expect AHAs to heal very deep chickenpox and acne scars.
- The outermost layer of our skin (which we can feel and 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 and cells from below the epidermis will surface.
However due to pollution, sun, air-conditioning, age and other environmental causes, the regeneration process slows down and causes an accumulation of dead cells. This makes the skin dry and dull.
- AHAs promote the shedding of the dead cells and instigate the renewal scene to take place in order to make skin smooth-looking and radiant.
- AHAs may cause mild irritations and make skin sensitive to sunlight. Severe side-effects would occur if high concentrations of the acid (especially glycolic acid) is used. A patch test used beneath sunblock is recommended before actual use.
- 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.
- 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) and antioxidants such as co-enzyme Q10, green tea and vitamin C ester.
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