Alphahydroxy acids are a group of naturally occurring chemicals that are used for chemical peels. During this cosmetic process, a chemical is applied to your skin, left for a specified amount of time and then removed. Chemical peels cause the top layer of your skin to peel off, leaving new, less damaged skin showing. According to the book “Photoaging” by Darrell Rigel, Robert Weiss and Henry Lim, glycolic acid is a type of alphahydroxy acid derived from sugar cane. It is used for superficial chemical peels and has a number of effects on your skin.
Diminished Wrinkles
Application of glycolic acid stimulates the production of collagen in your skin and helps decrease the appearance of fine wrinkles. Collagen is a protein found naturally in your skin that keeps it resilient and wrinkle free. The sun decreases collagen production, and too much sun exposure causes signs of early aging such as wrinkles.
Fading Age Spots
Age spots are flat brown, black or gray areas on the parts of your skin that are frequently exposed to the sun such as your face, arms and shoulders, according to the Mayo Clinic. In “Photoaging,” Rigel, Weiss and Lim suggest that when a glycolic acid peel penetrates the papillary level of the skin, it is capable of removing age spots. The papillary layer is one of the two layers of your dermis, which is the second layer of your skin.
Melasma Reduction
Melasma, also called chloasma or pregnancy mask, is an uneven discoloration of your skin in which areas of your face become dark brown, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can be due to pregnancy, exposure to sunlight or taking birth control pills. The book “Glycolic Acid Peels” by Ronald Moy, Debra Luftman and Lenore Kakita suggests that glycolic acid peels are effective in the treatment of melasma. Moy, et. al. state that it may be able to do this through bleaching away the discoloration. Glycolic acid peels may also be able to reduce pigment or color-forming activity in your skin, leading to a reduction in melasma, according to Rigel, Weiss and Lim.
Side Effects
Complications from glycolic acid peels are uncommon and can be treated, according to Rigel, Weiss and Lim. Possible side effects of a glycolic chemical peel include hyperpigmentation (discoloration) or redness of your skin and irregular skin texture.
About this Author
Ngozi Oguejiofo has over five years’ experience as a customer service and marketing executive. She is currently a registered nurse. She is interested in teaching, and writes articles focused on student nurses at eHow.
