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Many people are under the impression that Alpha Hydroxy is an active ingredient. This is due to the enormous amount of press coverage that Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) have received in recent years. The fact is that Alpha Hydroxy Acids is the family name of a group of naturally occurring, nontoxic fruit acids that have been used to beautify the skin for centuries. Alpha Hydroxy Acids really work! For centuries AHA's have been used to promote a more youthful, fresh looking complexion by people in many civilizations. Scribes and authors throughout history have documented the benefits of AHA's. In ancient Egypt, Cleopatra used Alpha Hydroxy Acids when she bathed in milk baths to soften her much admired skin! The women of the French Court of Louis XVI also used Alpha Hydroxy Acids when they rubbed wine on their skin to produce a softer, glowing visage.
Examples of AHA's are:
Glycolic acid from sugar cane
Citrus acids
Malic acid from apples
Tannic (or tartaric) acid from grapes
Lactic acid from milk
What do AHA's do?
Wide spread use of AHA's by dermatologists and major researchers in the cosmetic industry has led to revolutionary scientific breakthroughs in skin care technology. AHA's have been found to be a source for improved appearance and texture of the skin.
How do AHA's work?
AHA's work by loosening and/or dissolving the glue-like substance that binds skin cells together. The higher the percentage of AHA in a solution, the deeper through the skin’s levels the AHA's will penetrate and the quicker the loosening of the skin cells will occur. This loosening process helps the skin cells to exfoliate the buildup of dead skin cells of the epidermis. Unlike mechanical exfoliation (scrubs), the skin is not damaged by abrasives or by the physical manipulation of the scrubbing process. Sensitive skin in particular cannot deal well with harsh scrubs and exfoliators. This is the reason AHA's have become so popular is that they produce much better results than scrubs. By ‘ungluing’ the skin at a much deeper level than cosmetic scrubs, they produce a deeper exfoliation process. They are much gentler than Retin-A. They have none of the side effects linked to Retin-A. Sun exposure (always recommended against because it ages the skin) is not forbidden.
What is the outcome of using AHA’s?
The AHA exfoliation process exposes fresher, newer skin cells giving the appearance of a fresher, more youthful looking skin. Removing the top layer of the epidermis greatly improves the texture and coloration of the skin, unclogs pores. Studies have documented that glycolic acid helps produce natural collagen and elastin in the skin’s cells. This leads to the promotion of a proper moisture balance after the exfoliation process has occurred. Optimum use of AHA's occurs when the skin cells on the surface of the epidermis are gently sloughed off without irritation with the help of a lotion or cream with a blend of glycolic acid and rich humectants
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