Most individuals who suffer from acne as teenagers and young adults fight their pimples with over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products, along with a good skin care routine. Even the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) deems these two lines of attack as the primary treatment for acne. But, some acne sufferers, especially individuals with severe cases, require a stronger treatment than that. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), which are used in chemical peels and lotions, can help the people having severe acne in averting new lesions and acne scars from forming.
What Is Alpha Hydroxy Acid?
Alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid are often used in skin care creams and gels in 10% or lower strength.
What It Does?
Alpha hydroxy acid products:
(i) Chemically exfoliate the surface of the skin, thereby improves skin texture and tone-up your skin.
(ii) Remove dead skin cells on the skin’s surface.
(iii) Dry up whitehead, blackhead, and pimples and further cause the top layer of the skin to peel.
(iv) Enable the skin to boost cell turnover, which can make acne lesions / acne scars heal faster and can prevent pores from becoming clogged.
(v) The exfoliation produced by alpha hydroxy acids also relieves dry, flaky skin.
Types
The most frequently alpha hydroxy acids used in acne treatment are glycolic acids. You can buy alpha hydroxy acid products from drug stores and other retailers over the counter in concentrations of up to 10 percent for do-it-yourself chemical peeling. However, dermatologists themselves can use alpha hydroxy in much higher concentrations for in-clinic chemical peel procedures.
Our Recommended AHA Acne Treatment Products
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser – Anti-Aging + Acne Face Wash w AHA For Wrinkles, Lines & Spots Reduction
Acne.org Travel Size 3.4 oz. AHA
Glycolix Elite 20% Glycolic Acid Treatment Pads
Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel
Considerations
Users of over-the-counter alpha hydroxy acid lotions or products claim they provide best results in combination with benzoyl peroxide to stop pimples from emerging. To quote acne site Acne.org: “If you apply the alpha hydroxy acid product immediately when you first notice skin irritation in a particular spot, it can work to regenerate the skin there and prevent the pimple from maturing”
Cautions
(i) Alpha hydroxyl acids products in percentages higher than 10% must be administered professionally in a dermatologist office.
(ii) Skin care products that contain AHAs are generally safe to use, but they may cause stinging and a mild redness of the skin. Use them less often if you notice that your skin becomes very red or very dry. AAD reported that both at-home and dermatologist-applied alpha hydroxy acid treatments can irritate the skin. In case redness or dryness result from use of an over-the-counter product, the AAD recommends stopping its use and allow the skin to heal.
(iii) Make sure to follow instructions stated on the package-label to steer clear of the wrong or overuse of the alpha hydroxy acid products.
(iv) As alpha hydroxyl acid products strip off the surface layers of skin cells, the skin can become more vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) light when using them and in the days following use. So, make sure to use an effective sunscreen when using AHA products and up to a week afterwards to protect your skin from the sun and other sources of UV light.
Our Recommended AHA Acne Treatment Products
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser – Anti-Aging + Acne Face Wash w AHA For Wrinkles, Lines & Spots Reduction
Acne.org Travel Size 3.4 oz. AHA
Glycolix Elite 20% Glycolic Acid Treatment Pads
Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel