Alpha-hydroxy acids, chemical peels

Briden ME 2004 Alpha-hydroxy acid chemical peeling agents case studies and rationale for safe and effective use. Cutis 73 [2 Supply] 18-24... 

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, as are lactic acid, citric acid, and many others. Hydroxy acids are compounds that are both alcohols and acids at the same time. Hydroxy acids are used as chemical peeling agents. Alpha hydroxy acids can make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light by removing the skin s protective outer layers. Some alpha hydroxy acids ... 

Finally, glycolic acid is a member of the alpha-hydroxy acid family, which provides an important adjunctive therapy in a variety of skin disorders. It is widely used in chemical peels in a variety of concentrations, ranging from 20 to 70%. People of almost any skin type and color are candidates and almost any area of the body can be peeled. 

Superficial peels Various chemicals have been used as peeling agents, out of which the most fruitful one is the alpha-hydroxy acid such as glycolic acid. Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) works inducing epidermolysis and subsequent desquamation within few... 

But the mainstay of therapy for skin resurfacing continues to be chemical peels together with abrasion [37 2], Chemical peels in use to improve facial scarring include alpha-hydroxy acid peels, trichloroacetic acid, and deep phenol-based methods [43 8], In this chapter, we discuss deep chemical peels for post-acne scars treatment. 

Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid not previously utilized in chemical peeling for melasma In a small group of 24 patients, lactic acid was found to be an efficacious and safe peeling agent for melasma treatment and was as effective as Jessner s solution [323]. In a group of seven Indian patients (Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V) treated with lactic acid peeling for superficial acne scarring, improvement was noted [324]. 

Glycohc acid peels, the prototype of alpha-hydroxy acid peels, are an excellent addition to the chemical peel family. As superficial peeling agents, they lend themselves to the modern day need for short recovery time with results. They are easy to perform in the office and require little in the way of additional office supplies. They are therefore cost effective. Their flexibility of use in not only photoaging skin but in other hallmarks of photodamage make their future use appealing to both physicians and patients alike. 

Chemical peeling agents are classified as keratolytics or protein denaturants. Keratolytics [alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids) are primarily used for superficial, exfoliative procedures whereas the protein denaturants [trichloroacetic acid [TCA) and phenol) can be used for superficial, medium-depth, and deeper peels. This chapter will focus on modified TCA and phenol peel solutions. 

Cosmeceutical pharmaceutical agents are commonly combined with chemical peels to enhance exfohative and regenerative effects. Retinoic acid preparations are prescribed as daily home care to accelerate epidermal proliferation, so there is an increase in epidermal thickness despite the stratum corneum being shed. The application of retinoic acid enhances the effectiveness of light and even medium-depth chemical peeling to texture, tone, and smooth the skin. Used in combination with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) retinoic acid prepares the skin for the peel procedure. 

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