How To Treat Nodular Acne
How To Treat Nodular Acne
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Acne Treatment - What Are AHAs in Acne Treatment?
AHAs are a key ingredient for unclogging pore clogs and brightening acne-prone skin. They work by breaking down dead skin cell accumulation to promote newer, fresher cells, and preventing future clogs.
Formulating topical AHAs necessitates meticulous attention to various key factors that significantly impact their efficacy and tolerability. Maintaining the optimal pH range, along with vehicle selection and concentration, amplifies their exfoliative attributes while mitigating potential adverse reactions.
Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is known for its mild yet effective exfoliating properties, which promote skin’s natural shedding and loosen the “glue” that holds dead cells on the surface of the skin. This helps unclog pores and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improve overall skin texture and tone.
Interestingly, topical glycolic acid has also been shown to stimulate the production of collagen, which is critical in maintaining skin’s firmness and elasticity. It is important to note, however, that because glycolic acid can stimulate the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, it is essential to wear sunscreen when using any products containing this ingredient.
Dermatologists pay careful attention to the formulation of products containing AHAs in order to optimize their efficacy and tolerability. Formulating AHAs with the appropriate vehicle, along with pH and concentration considerations, allows for optimal skin penetration while minimizing potential adverse reactions. This is particularly crucial for patients with sensitive skin, since AHAs are known to be mildly irritating.
Lactic acid
Lactic acid is found in many over-the-counter skin care products and some stronger professional peels and treatments. It has the lowest molecular weight of all the AHAs and is able to penetrate deeper into the skin, where it is more effective at unclogging pores and exfoliating.
Like glycolic acid, it also stimulates collagen synthesis, which helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles botox for migraines and improve skin texture. Additionally, it has moisture-retention properties, which makes it more suitable for drier skin types than other AHAs.
The extensive body of clinical data substantiating the efficacy of topical AHAs supports their utility in a wide range of dermatological afflictions and aesthetic concerns. These include intricate skin rejuvenation procedures, attenuation of fine lines and wrinkles, lightening of hyperpigmentation, therapeutic intervention for actinic keratosis, and acne management [2]. Optimizing the formulation of AHAs by balancing pH, concentration, and vehicle selection further enhances their therapeutic potential. These careful considerations enable dermatologists to deliver safe and effective treatments that provide superior clinical results.
Mandelic acid
Mandelic acid, derived from almonds, is another member of the AHA family and is a popular ingredient in products that help treat acne. Its larger molecular size means it penetrates the skin more slowly and gently, which can reduce the potential for irritation. It’s also less likely to trigger redness and other skin sensitivity issues, making it suitable for sensitive skin types.
Mandelic Acid is thought to help reduce inflammation and boost hydration. It works by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to shed and reveal fresher-looking skin. It also helps reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
Formulating topical products with AHAs requires a precise balance of key factors that significantly impact their efficacy and tolerability. In particular, the pH of an AHA formulation has been shown to play a critical role in its ability to promote exfoliation and enhance skin tone and texture. Achieving this optimal concentration is a challenging goal and requires meticulous attention to the various factors that impact the formulation process.
Citric acid
Citric acid, found in citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, is a mild AHA. It’s less irritating than glycolic or lactic acid, making it more suitable for sensitive skin. It also has astringent properties, helping to dry out excess oil.
Like other AHAs, citric acid can be used in chemical peels and daily active/maintenance treatments to exfoliate the skin and promote cell turnover. It can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, as well as fine facial lines.
It can also increase the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, which play an important role in strengthening the skin barrier function. This helps to avert trans-epidermal water loss, and maintain optimal hydration levels in the skin [35].
AHAs can be combined with soothing ingredients such as ceramides or hyaluronic acid to improve their tolerability. They can be incorporated into daily active/maintenance skincare through cream or serum formulations. This allows practitioners to tailor their AHA treatments based on patient needs and preferences, with the flexibility of choosing from different treatment intensities or concentrations.