Acne Treatment with Lactic Acid Peels

       Lactic acid is an Alpha-Hydroxy acid derived from milk sugars and occurs naturally inside the body. Since lactic acid is a natural substance inside the body, it is less irritating and highly unlikely to cause allergic reactions. Lactic acid has skin hydrating property that attracts and traps moisture in the skin. It is ideal for treating dry skin with acne. Lactic acid also stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis or deeper layer of the skin. The anti-acne action of Lactic acid relies on its ability to loosen the glue that holds the dead skin cells together. By exfoliating or peeling the skin, the formation of whiteheads and blackheads is reduced.

Precautions and Side Effects:

Lactic Acid can be used by pregnant women and is safe during pregnancy. This acne treatment product is not intended to be used on children.

Mild skin irritation. Higher concentrations of lactic acid peels may burn the skin.

Effectiveness:

       In an open clinical study, efficacy of 5% aqueous solution of lactate for preventing acne was evaluated in 22 patients. Lactate lotion was used topically all over the face twice a day and continued like a cosmetic for 1 year. Systematic antibiotics were given for periods of 4 weeks whenever the disease was severe. The effect of the treatment was evaluated by counting the number of comedones, inflammatory lesions and cysts separately once a month and recording them graphically. The greatest reduction in the lesion counts was achieved in 8-24 weeks for the inflammatory lesions and 8-30 weeks for the comedones.

(Source: Garg T, Ramam M, Pasricha JS, Verma KK.; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, India.)

Product Information:

Lactic acid peel is available in topical serums, creams or gels with varying concentrations.

50% Lactic Acid (pH 2.0) - this formulation is good for wrinkles and mature skin.
40% Lactic Acid (pH 2.2) - this is recommended for first time users of lactic acid peel.
30% Lactic Acid (pH 2.3) - recommended for sensitive skin.

Reviews and Comments:

“Youghurt can also be applied on the face if you want a very mild form of lactic acid peel”

References:

1. http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/2511/1/Chemical-Skin-Peels-Defined-and-Benefits.html ( By David Maillie last update 5/26/2006 )
2.. http://www.skincareguide.ca4. Hydroxy acids and retinoids in cosmetics. Clinics in Dermatology, Volume 19, Issue 4, Pages 460-466 M. Ramos-e-Silva
3 . Desai A, Moy LS. The role of -hydroxy acids in the treatment of photoaging. Photoaging. Marcel Dekker, 2004: 117-140.

Last updated: May 18, 2008