Alpha hydroxy acid

α-hydroxy acids, or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), are a class of chemical compounds that consist of a carboxylic acid substituted with a hydroxy group on the adjacent carbon. They may be either naturally occurring or synthetic. AHAs are well-known for their use in the cosmetics industryFact|date=September 2008. They are often found in products claiming to reduce wrinkles or the signs of aging, and improve the overall look and feel of the skinFact|date=September 2008. They are also used as chemical peels available in a dermatologist's office, beauty and health spas and home kits, which usually contain a lower concentrationSpecify|date=September 2008. Their effectiveness is documented.ref|Cutis

Safety

AHAs are generally safe when used on the skin as a cosmetic agent using the recommended dosage. The most common side-effects are mild skin irritations, redness and flaking. The severity usually depends on the pH and the concentration of the acid used. Chemical peels tend to have more severe side-effects including blistering, burning and skin discoloration, although they are usually mild and go away a day or two after treatment.

The FDA has also warned consumers that care should be taken when using AHAs after an industry-sponsored study found that they can increase photosensitivity to the sun.ref|FDA

See also

*Beta hydroxy acid
*Salicylic acid, a β-hydroxy acid

References

# [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9640557&dopt=Citation| An evaluation of the effect of an alpha hydroxy acid-blend skin cream in the cosmetic improvement of symptoms of moderate to severe xerosis, epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, and ichthyosis.] "Cutis". 1998 Jun;61(6):347-50.
# [http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdacaha.html Alpha Hydroxy Acids for Skin Care] by Paula Kurtzweil, "FDA Consumer", March-April 1998, Revised May 1999.

External links