Choosing The Most Appropriate Alpha Hydroxy Skin Care Products For Your Skin

By Tanya Simmons

There comes a time in everyone's life that they think that Father Time is now being a bit unfair to us as we start to notice the wrinkles on our face. It is time to try and reverse some of this aging and the search to find the perfect product to do that begins. Alpha hydroxy skin care products are a great place to start, but there are a few things you need to know before you decide to make a purchase.

AHAs that are used in commercial skin care products originate from natural sources such as sugar cane, milk, apples, oranges and even wine. The acids found in these foods like glycolic, lactic, citric, malic and tartaric acid can penetrate the skin and encourage the production of collagen and mucopolysaccharides. This, in turn, causes the desired effects without severely damaging the skin.

Even though these alpha hydroxy skin care formulas are all natural, you will still need to use them with caution. Most of the types of formulas found on the market today contain less than 10% of the alpha hydroxy acids and they should not irritate your skin. Doctors will prescribe formulas containing greater than 10% alpha hydroxys because their patient's skin requires that dosage level.

Whenever an alpha hydroxy acid comes into contact with your skin, certain side effects may occur. Some common side effects associated with a chemical peel treatment are redness, irritation, rashes and burning of the skin. After a patient has received a few treatments, their skin will become used to the chemical peel and some of these symptoms may lessen or go away all together. If these symptoms don't go away or get worse, contact your doctor immediately.

Choosing an alpha hydroxy skin care product that's effective can be a tough decision. It's important to keep in mind the following tips before purchasing one of these products. First of all, the exfoliation product should contain the proper alpha hydroxy ingredient for your skin such as glycolic, malic, citric, or tartaric acid. Second, have your doctor prescribe the right concentration of alpha hydroxy acid, one that is most tolerable for your skin. Lastly, have your doctor select a formula that is free of any parabens or any other chemical that may cause further irritation to your skin.

If you suffer from acne or rosacea, consult with your dermatologist first before using any product containing alpha hydroxy acids. In most cases, the acids found in these formulas are too irritating to the skin for people who suffer form those skin conditions. Your dermatologist may decide to use an AHA formula after your acne or rosacea condition has cleared up. By following your doctor's advice, you will be able to avoid any unnecessary suffering or side effects caused by these skincare formulas.

After using an AHA formula, it is advisable that you use a sunscreen in order to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays. A chemical peel will strip off the outer layer of your skin and it now will be more susceptible to sun damage thus warranting the need of a sunscreen with an SPF of 30. With the discovery of alpha hydroxy skin care products we now have another weapon in our arsenal to help reverse the aging process of our face. - 30246

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