Alpha HydroxAlpha Hydrox
AHA Facts
Did you know that using a well-formulated alpha hydroxy (AHA) exfoliating product will begin to improve the appearance of your skin within a matter of days and will continue to improve it with sustained use? Helping the outer layer of skin function more normally really can make your skin look younger, fresher and healthier. Think of exfoliation like a pedicure. Before you get a pedicure the skin on your heels looks dry, rough, discolored and scaly. Once the dead skin is removed, your feet look smooth, soft and healthy. That’s what AHAs can do for the skin on your face and the rest of your body.
The top dead layer of normal skin sheds thousands of cells every few minutes, allowing new skin cells to move to the surface. When we are young, skin cells turn over very quickly. However, as we begin to age, the rate of cell turn over slows and the shedding of dead surface skin cells becomes inefficient, causing a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface. Sun damage, loss of estrogen, dry skin, oily skin, and skin disorders such as psoriasis or roseacea can all effect this natural exfoliation process, leaving the skin rough, scaly, thickened, discolored, and more wrinkled.
Exfoliation helps to remove the dead cell build-up, revealing the healthier, younger-looking layer beneath. Since abrasive exfoliants such as scrubs and loofah-type products can break down the skin, the safest and most effective exfoliating skin-care products are properly formulated alpha hydroxy acid products that contain sufficient amounts of AHAs (8% or above) at an effective pH level (4 to 4.5). Using a good AHA product once or twice each day, helps to loosen and dissolve the thickened, built-up, stagnant dead skin cells that are getting in the way of the healthier skin cells beneath.
If you have problem prone skin, occasional breakouts or acne, exfoliating with alpha hydroxy acids will help unblock pores, reducing blemishes and blackheads. Exfoliating with AHAs also makes it easier for blemish control products to penetrate to where the problems begin.
The Bottom Line… skin exfoliation is a key component in the health and appearance of your skin. It is necessary for most skin types and is as basic as a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen!
AHAs function in two distinct fashions, helping to improve the skin’s appearance:
HUMECTANTS (Moisturizers)
Function: These AHAs, when applied to the skin, increase the water content of the skin, moisturizing the outer layer of the epidermis (the stratum corneum), making the skin softer, smoother and more flexible.
EXFOLIANTS
Function: Working at the very base of the stratum corneum, these AHAs dissolve or loosen the glue-like substance that holds dead skin cells together on the skin’s surface. This stimulates and accelerates the normal process of cell regeneration within the deeper basal layer of the skin, allowing new, fresh skin cells to emerge. The results are increased flexibility as well as smoother, softer, less wrinkled, less dehydrated and more even-toned skin. Increased amounts of collagen and increased skin thickness have also been observed with continued, regular use of exfoliating AHAs.
Products containing alpha hydroxy acids are not the average run of the mill moisturizers. Being well informed in proper use and what to expect in the metamorphosis of your skin is the first step in successfully adding them to your skin care routine.
Do a Patch Test
If you have sensitive skin or are a first-time user of products containing AHAs, test a patch of skin (usually just below the jaw line is best) for two to three days before use. You will also need to test if you are planning to use a different brand or a product with a different concentration or pH than your skin is accustomed to.
What is normal – What is not
Most first time users of AHAs notice a stinging or tingling sensation. If you experience excessive stinging or a burning sensation, rinse the AHA off with clear, cool water and discontinue use.
Skin irritations
There is a possibility of skin irritations when using or beginning to use products containing AHA. The possibility depends on several factors:
NOTE: A true AHA exfoliant is loosening the bond that holds dead cells to the surface of the skin. In order to perform this function, a level of irritation occurs. The irritation may be more pronounced in some users, less in others. Tingling, stinging, slight pinkness and peeling are normal. Excessive redness, burning and itching indicate the skin’s inability to tolerate the AHAs or an allergic reaction to something in the product, requiring immediate discontinuance.
The top dead layer of normal skin sheds thousands of cells every few minutes, allowing new skin cells to move to the surface. When we are young, skin cells turn over very quickly. However, as we begin to age, the rate of cell turn over slows and the shedding of dead surface skin cells becomes inefficient, causing a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface. Sun damage, loss of estrogen, dry skin, oily skin, and skin disorders such as psoriasis or roseacea can all effect this natural exfoliation process, leaving the skin rough, scaly, thickened, discolored, and more wrinkled.
Exfoliation helps to remove the dead cell build-up, revealing the healthier, younger-looking layer beneath. Since abrasive exfoliants such as scrubs and loofah-type products can break down the skin, the safest and most effective exfoliating skin-care products are properly formulated alpha hydroxy acid products that contain sufficient amounts of AHAs (8% or above) at an effective pH level (4 to 4.5). Using a good AHA product once or twice each day, helps to loosen and dissolve the thickened, built-up, stagnant dead skin cells that are getting in the way of the healthier skin cells beneath.
If you have problem prone skin, occasional breakouts or acne, exfoliating with alpha hydroxy acids will help unblock pores, reducing blemishes and blackheads. Exfoliating with AHAs also makes it easier for blemish control products to penetrate to where the problems begin.
The Bottom Line… skin exfoliation is a key component in the health and appearance of your skin. It is necessary for most skin types and is as basic as a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen!
AHAs function in two distinct fashions, helping to improve the skin’s appearance:
HUMECTANTS (Moisturizers)
Function: These AHAs, when applied to the skin, increase the water content of the skin, moisturizing the outer layer of the epidermis (the stratum corneum), making the skin softer, smoother and more flexible.
EXFOLIANTS
Function: Working at the very base of the stratum corneum, these AHAs dissolve or loosen the glue-like substance that holds dead skin cells together on the skin’s surface. This stimulates and accelerates the normal process of cell regeneration within the deeper basal layer of the skin, allowing new, fresh skin cells to emerge. The results are increased flexibility as well as smoother, softer, less wrinkled, less dehydrated and more even-toned skin. Increased amounts of collagen and increased skin thickness have also been observed with continued, regular use of exfoliating AHAs.
Products containing alpha hydroxy acids are not the average run of the mill moisturizers. Being well informed in proper use and what to expect in the metamorphosis of your skin is the first step in successfully adding them to your skin care routine.
Do a Patch Test
If you have sensitive skin or are a first-time user of products containing AHAs, test a patch of skin (usually just below the jaw line is best) for two to three days before use. You will also need to test if you are planning to use a different brand or a product with a different concentration or pH than your skin is accustomed to.
What is normal – What is not
Most first time users of AHAs notice a stinging or tingling sensation. If you experience excessive stinging or a burning sensation, rinse the AHA off with clear, cool water and discontinue use.
Skin irritations
There is a possibility of skin irritations when using or beginning to use products containing AHA. The possibility depends on several factors:
- The condition of your skin due to aging or sun damage.
- Whether you are a first time user of a true AHA exfoliant (a product with the proper amount of acid at an optimum pH).
- If your skin is very delicate or sensitive.
- You are (or recently have finished) taking certain types of prescriptions such as antibiotics, products containing steroids, etc.
NOTE: A true AHA exfoliant is loosening the bond that holds dead cells to the surface of the skin. In order to perform this function, a level of irritation occurs. The irritation may be more pronounced in some users, less in others. Tingling, stinging, slight pinkness and peeling are normal. Excessive redness, burning and itching indicate the skin’s inability to tolerate the AHAs or an allergic reaction to something in the product, requiring immediate discontinuance.