What is the efficacy and safety of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) in dermatological practice?
Glycolic Acid AHA Serum (Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2024, PMID 39050562) — however, the precise optimal concentrations for therapeutic efficacy with minimal side effects are not yet defined. No numeric effect size is reported for Glycolic Acid AHA Serum in the source abstract.
Source: Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2024, PMID 39050562 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: low
Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol · 2024 · PMID 39050562 · DOI 10.2147/CCID.S453243
Alpha-hydroxy acids are effective for skin rejuvenation and treating various skin conditions, but more research is needed to determine optimal concentrations for safety and efficacy, and regulatory compliance is crucial.
The question
What is the efficacy and safety of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) in dermatological practice?
What they tested
AHAs are effective in skin rejuvenation and treating various skin conditions, but their optimal concentrations and safety require further research and regulatory adherence.
How they did it
This study was a comprehensive clinical and legal review of the dermatological applications of AHAs, focusing on their use in cosmetic formulations like chemical peels.
What they found
AHAs, including glycolic and lactic acids, enhance skin rejuvenation by promoting apoptosis in skin cells, boosting collagen and elastin synthesis, and improving skin texture and luminosity. They are useful in treating conditions such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and photoaging. However, the precise optimal concentrations for therapeutic efficacy with minimal side effects are not yet defined.
What it means
AHAs are effective in cosmetic dermatology, but continued research is needed to define optimal concentrations, and rigorous regulatory adherence is essential for their safe and beneficial application.
Limitations
The review indicates that optimal concentrations for therapeutic efficacy with minimal side effects are yet to be precisely defined, necessitating further research.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids in Dermatological Practice: A Comprehensive Clinical and Legal Review. |
|---|---|
| Journal | Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol |
| Year | 2024 |
| PMID | 39050562 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.2147/CCID.S453243 ↗ |
| Topic | Skin, hair & photoaging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
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Glycolic Acid AHA Serum
Randomized and controlled human trials, together with histologic and in vitro studies, suggest that topical glycolic acid and related AHAs can improve skin texture, discoloration and some markers of photoaging: in one 22-week vehicle-controlled trial an 8% glycolic acid cream gave modest but statistically significant…
Glycolic acid is the smallest alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), a water-soluble compound originally derived…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). What is the efficacy and safety of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) in dermatological practice? [Plain-English summary of Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2024, PMID 39050562, DOI 10.2147/CCID.S453243]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s183.html@misc{magellan_s183,
title = {What is the efficacy and safety of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) in dermatological practice?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s183.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 39050562; DOI 10.2147/CCID.S453243; Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2024. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
}https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s183.htmlRelated studies in the Magellan library
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- Collagen supplementation in skin and orthopedic diseases: A review of the literatureHeliyon · 2023 · PMID 37064452
- Topical delivery of l-ascorbic acid spanlastics for stability enhancement and treatment of UVB…Drug Deliv · 2021 · PMID 33620008
- A Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Hydration, Elasticity, Roughness, and DensityNutrients · 2019 · PMID 31627309
- Daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins improves skin…Nutrition Research · 2018 · PMID 30122200
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