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The Truth Behind Alpha Hydroxy Skincare
Alpha hydroxy skincare products have become very popular over the last decade and have been used by many dermatologists to help treat aging skin. There has been a lot of material produced on alpha hydroxy skin care products. For many people, these acid based products have worked very well, with noticeable results. But how much do we really know about how these acids work on the problem areas? With so many alpha hydroxy skin care options currently available to consumers, the more you know about the base chemical, the better.
First, alpha hydroxy skincare products contain the base acids of this chemical. These acids are used in many products and there is evidence that they work when they are used properly. There is often some confusion on how long these acids have been used in cosmetics. Some vendors would have you believe that this is a new, revolutionary treatment but the truth is they have been around for decades. Another interesting note is that these acids are actually a group of closely related organic acids that can be found in natural sources or can be produced through laboratory synthesis.
Consumers who wish to use these products should understand that price should not be the major factor when deciding on which brand to use.
The truth is these acids are relatively inexpensive to produce. The high charges that you often see for alpha hydroxy skincare products is for brand name or for the other added ingredients that the product may contain.
The important factor to consider when deciding on a particular brand is the concentration of the acids. The overall effectiveness of any alpha hydroxy skin care product mainly depends on the concentration of the acids and not on the inactive ingredients. In other words, a $25 product with a 5% concentration will be just as effective as $50 product with a 5% concentration. The inert ingredients may be different, but the results will be the same.
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Generally, there are two methods of use for alpha hydroxy skin care products.
The first method takes place in the dermatologist's office. For some people, a very high concentration of the acids is applied under a doctor's supervision. This is often called a "peel". There is some good evidence that this procedure can be effective in reducing signs of aging. You should understand that these types of peels with very high strength acids (over 15%) should not be performed without the direct supervision of a qualified dermatologist.
The second method of delivery for alpha hydroxy skincare products is the more usual and common method. These are basically do-it-yourself methods using over-the-counter products. This is where understanding the importance of concentration can be very useful.
Many of the products that are currently available OTC contain fairly small concentrations of the acids.
The usual range for OTC products is from 5 to 10%. By law, OTC preparations must not contain more than 10% concentration. For those who need a product with more than that concentration you must get a prescription from your dermatologist.
Trained cosmetologists are permitted to use AHA concentrations as high as 30%, but only if the product used has a pH level of 3.0 or higher. Medical professionals such as dermatologists typically use concentrations as high as 50–70% but, again, these are special cases and are always done under supervision.
Alpha hydroxy skincare products are not meant to provide overnight results.
It should be kept in mind that concentrations at the higher end of these ranges might be more effective but are also more likely to cause irritation to some people who are susceptible or have sensitive skin. The best and safest course of action is to use the lower range products and to be more patient.
Many people who are thinking of using alpha hydroxy skincare products want to know just how these products work. In very simple terms, they work like this. The acids contained in the products remove old, dead cells on the surface. This acts as an exfoliation process. In those medically supervised products that have more concentration of acids, the acids will also promote new collagen production, which can decrease the presence of some wrinkles and fine lines. These acids will penetrate deep into the flesh, where they will begin to actually damage skin cells. Once this takes place, the damage effect triggers the production of collagen. Collagen is a fibrous protein and a building block for new tissue and skin. It forms as your body attempts to repair the cell damage that was caused by the alpha hydroxy skin care product.
The content presented here on this website is for informational purposes only. These products have not been approved by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. This information should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
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