• Exfoliating Benefits

Since AHA is exfoliating in nature, beauty products with AHA content come with certain benefits.

• Reduce Wrinkles

Dr. Satish Udare, Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, says that superficial wrinkles can be reduced by applying creams with AHA over a period of months, depending on the strength of the AHA content.

• Glow on Your Skin

By exfoliating and removing dead cells of the skin, beauty products with AHA bring a glow to your skin as well.

• Open the Pores

"Another benefit of AHA based products is that they open the clogged pores of the skin." explains Dr. Rekha Lanjekar, Dermatologist.

This in turn helps in reducing the formation of acne.

Treatments

Apart from being used in beauty products, dermatologists and cosmetologists use AHAs for beauty treatment as well.

According to Dermatologist Dr. Raj Parikh, AHA treatments known as mild dermal peal and mid dermal chemical peel are known to help reduce stretch marks. Just make sure these treatments are done under expert supervision only.

Dr. Lanjekar adds that these treatments do not suit every kind of skin. Hence, you need to have a thorough skin analysis before using them.

Keep in Mind

While small quantities of AHA benefit the skin, an overdose can be harmful. Dr. Udare recommends beauty products with six percent AHA.

According to FDA reports, in 1997, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel concluded that beauty products are safe to be used only when the AHA concentration is 10 percent or less.

• Side Effects

The major concern behind using AHA products is that their side effects.

• Sun Sensitivity

According to Dr. Parikh, as the outer layer of your skin is exfoliated with the AHAs, your skin tends to become sensitive to the sun and hence you need to be cautions that if you are using such products, then applying a sun block is a must.

• Unsuitability

Products with AHAs do not suit everybody. It can lead to redness, rashes and sometimes a burning sensation in the skin as well.