Acid Test: Are you Afraid ?

One of the most important ways to keep your skin looking young is encouraging cell turn over. Cell turn over is just a fancy way of describing the process of exfoliation. As we age our bodies stop manufacturing the things that make our skin soft, supple, smooth and plump. The outer layer of our skin,in turn, becomes drier, less elastic and dull. That doesn’t mean that we need to surrender to the natural process of aging. We can help shed that dead layer of skin with at home skin care and in office skin peels by using one or a combination of several specific acids. With that dead layer of skin removed the skin is more open to absorbing other products making them much more effective.
I know, acids sound scary but if you know a little more about the different acids that are used in skincare, you can confidently utilize and benefit from them.
Probably the most familiar acid used for skin health is Alph hydroxy acids,water soluble acids, which include: glycol,lactic, citric and mandolin acid. Alpha hydroxy acids are used in consumer skincare products and in chemical peels to cause surface exfoliation to smooth the skin surface and for softening fine lines. Chemical peels administered in a physician run skin care clinic can have higher percentages of acid which will penetrate deeper and cause more dramatic results-lightening hyper pigmentation,softening scars and reducing fine lines more effectively. For a more effective at home skin care regime, medical grade products can contain up to 20% glycolic acid as opposed to the 10% or less limit that is set for department and drug store products.
Beta Hydroxy acids are lipid (oil) soluble and are more suited for an oily complexion with clogged pores. The Beta Hydroxy acid can penetrate the oil allowing it to go into the pore and exfoliate from within it.
Retinoic acid or Retinol is a form of vitamin A that, in the right formulation, can dramatically speed up cell turnover, stimulate deep cellular repair, boosts collagen and increases blood circulation which will give your skin a youthful glow. Retinol can be found in many over the counter products but for maximum effectiveness a prescription with .05% to .1% is recommended.
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in people and animals but more abundantly in young skin. Hyaluronic acid is responsible for firm, moist,healthy looking skin and, yes dammit!, the aging process stops the production of it naturally.The beauty of hyaluronic acid is that it absorbs water and plumps up the skin. There are at home products that can deposit it back into your skin but again, medical grade products will be more effectively. It has also been proven that vitamin c can assist with penetration.
So you see, a sin care regimen that inludes any of these acids, can really turn back the hands of time for your skin and there isn’t anything scary about that!