FDA RESEARCH ON ALPHA-HYDROXY ACIDS.

FDA RESEARCH ON ALPHA-HYDROXY ACIDS.

For all the good reasons, AHAs have been the rage in the skincare world. These acids are known for their capacity to exfoliate and resurface the appearance of the skin, resulting in the glowing skin you deserve. Before adding an AHA product to your skincare routine, you should know a few things.

What Is An AHA?

AHA stands for Alpha Hydroxy Acid. It is a water-soluble acid found in sugar, fruits, nuts, and dairy products. AHAs primarily exfoliate the skin by eliminating dead cells from its surface. The concentration and type of the acid, as well as its pH level, define the strength of an AHA.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid works by dissolving the "glue" that holds the skin cells together, making it easier for dead skin cells to sloop off. 

Do AHA’s Increase Potential Sun Damage?

AHAs exfoliate the skin's top layer. Do remember that AHAs are highly recommended for treating sun damage. However, using AHAs such as Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Tartaric Acid makes the skin more sensitive to UV damage. According to the FDA's Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel, the products containing AHAs are likely to make the skin more vulnerable to sun damage than usual. It is crucial to take everyday precautions against sun exposure. Wearing a hat when outside, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen, and reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours are all part of this. Manufacturers are bound by FDA requirements to test their products for potential sun damage. If it appears that using those items makes one's skin more sensitive, the product's instructions must include a warning to use sun protection. 

Has the FDA investigated the safety of AHAs?

Yes. The studies compared the effect of AHAs that are applied topically in cream on the sensitivity of human skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation to the effect of the same cream containing no AHAs and measured how quickly the skin returns to normal after use of the AHA-containing cream is discontinued, and investigated whether AHAs enhance UV-induced DNA damage in the skin (Kays Kaidbey, Betsy Sutherland, Paula Bennett, Wayne G. Wamer, Curtis Barton, Donna Dennis, and Andrija Kornhauser, Topical glycolic acid enhances photodamage by ultraviolet light, Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine, vol. 19 (2003), issue 1, pp. 21-27).

These findings second the previous industry research indicating that applying AHAs to the skin increases UV sensitivity. After four weeks of AHA application, volunteers' sensitivity to UV-induced skin reddening increased by 18%. Similarly, the volunteers' sensitivity to UV-induced cellular damage doubled on average, with significant individual differences. However, the studies have also shown that this increase in sensitivity is reversible and does not last long after the AHA cream is stopped being used. Researchers discovered no significant differences in UV sensitivity among the various skin sites one week after the treatments were stopped.

The studies did not determine how AHAs increase UV sensitivity, but the effects did not appear to involve dramatic increases in UV-induced DNA damage in the skin. Previous FDA studies found that an AHA solution with a cosmetic-type cream base penetrated deeper into the skin than an AHA solution without the usual cosmetic ingredients. However, more research is needed to determine the influence those cosmetic-type ingredients have on the AHA-related effects on UV sensitivity. 

Its nearly 20 years that this study has been researched and with the increase of products including different levels of acids in EVERY part of their skincare lines, more effective testing needs to be done, and with much concern children as young as 15 flocking buying influencers or celebrity skincare it's not know how damaging the effects can be on such tender skin who has remarkable regeneration to begin with and absolutely no discipline in SPF application, this a reason for concern.  Taking into the new research linking Alcohol consumption and sun sensitivity and cancers. As the founder of Real Skin Retinue, I have deep concerns about young skin health and its future.  

For healthier skin!

When it comes to keeping our skin looking young and healthy, there are a lot of different factors to consider. We all know that we need to drink plenty of water and eat our fruits and veggies, but there are also a lot of different products out there that claim to be the best for our skin. With so many choices, it can be hard to know what to use. However, one potential solution that is gaining popularity is fasting for the skin. This approach involves abstaining from all food and beverages (with the exception of water) for a set period of time, usually 12-16 hours. During this time, the body is able to focus all of its energy on repair and regeneration, leading to better-looking skin. Additionally, fasting for the skin helps to promote the production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that are essential for youthful skin. While fasting for the skin may not be right for everyone, it is definitely worth considering if you are looking for ways to improve your complexion. 

The FDA has also collaborated with the National Toxicology Program (NTP) to assess the long-term safety of AHAs. This study found that glycolic acid had no effect on photocarcinogenesis (the development of cancer cells associated with light exposure) in mice, but salicylic acid had a photoprotective effect (protected against light effects).