ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS (AHAs) - Uses, Side Effects, and More

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• For aging skin: Creams, solutions, or lotions, containing the alpha hydroxy acids lactic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid, or glycolic acid in concentrations up to 25% are used, usually twice daily. Peels containing 70% glycolic acid or 85% lactic acid have also been used, usually every 2-4 weeks.
• For dry skin: Creams or lotions containing lactic acid or lactate 4% to 15% or ammonium lactate 12% have been applied up to twice daily for 2-4 weeks.
• For acne: Solutions or creams containing 14% gluconolactone or 10% glycolic acid have been used. Creams containing alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, malic acid, or citric acid, have been used in combination with other ingredients. A peel containing 40% glycolic acid has been used in 2 week intervals.
• For acne scars: Glycolic acid (GA) facial peels are used. Peels containing 20% to 70% glycolic acid have been applied every two or six weeks. Peels are applied for up to 4-5 minutes. Completing the series at least 5-6 times is usually needed before skin looks better. Sometimes a 35% or 70% glycolic acid cream is used along with a treatment called microneedling.
• For dark skin patches on the face (melasma): A 10% lotion of the glycolic acid (GA) is applied with a sunscreen to facial skin nightly for 2 weeks. Then a peeling program is done monthly for 3 months in a row. The peeling program features a 50% GA peel applied three times to the face and left on for a period of 2-5 minutes each time (first peel 2 minutes, second peel 4 minutes, and third peel 5 minutes). A peel containing 30% glycolic acid has been used every week in combination with laser treatment.

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