Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Alpha-hydroxy acids: unapproved uses or indications.

Marcia Ramos-e-Silva1, Maria Cristina Ribeiro de Castro, Sueli Coelho da Silva Carneiro

  • 1Sector of Dermatology, HUCFF and School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ramos.e.silva@dermato.med.br

Skinmed
|May 11, 2004
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Vitamin E in dermatology.

Clinics in dermatology·2026
Same author

A probable case of hyaluronic acid injection-induced MAST cell activation syndrome with refractory vasoplegia: A rare complication reversed with hyaluronidase.

JAAD case reports·2025
Same author

Ultrasound-Based Differentiation of Esthetic Abscess: Insights From Clinical Practice.

Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine·2025
Same author

Carcinogenesis: An Alternative Hypothesis Comparing Mutagenic Versus Metabolic Models.

Biology·2025
Same author

Management of Hyaluronic Acid Filler-Induced Refractory Sterile Abscess With Modified Munhoz-Cavallieri Lavage Protocol: A Case Series.

Journal of cosmetic dermatology·2025
Same author

Competing and Noncompeting Risk Models for Predicting Kidney Allograft Failure.

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN·2025

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are used in cosmetics for skin rejuvenation and peeling. This review examines their unapproved uses in dermatology, highlighting the need for more scientific data to confirm efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Cosmetic Science
  • Chemical Peels

Background:

  • Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) have a long history of use in cosmetic applications for skin rejuvenation.
  • Glycolic acid and lactic acid are common AHAs in cosmetics, often used in combination with others.
  • The cosmetic field sees rapid growth in products and treatments, necessitating a scientific approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the unapproved (off-label) uses of alpha-hydroxy acids in dermatological and cosmetic treatments.
  • To highlight the increasing number of cosmetic products and adjuncts available.
  • To emphasize the need for a scientifically-grounded approach to evaluating these uses.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies and data on alpha-hydroxy acids.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of reported off-label indications for cosmetic rejuvenation and peeling.
  • Assessment of the current scientific evidence supporting these uses.

    • Main Results:

    • Alpha-hydroxy acids demonstrate efficacy as peeling agents and for rejuvenation at specific concentrations.
    • Several off-label uses of AHAs in cosmetic dermatology are prevalent.
    • There is a recognized need for more published data to validate the scientific merit of these unapproved indications.

    Conclusions:

    • While AHAs are effective for rejuvenation and peeling, their off-label applications require further scientific investigation.
    • A rigorous scientific approach is crucial for evaluating the efficacy of numerous cosmetic products and treatments.
    • More research is needed to establish the effectiveness of unapproved uses of alpha-hydroxy acids.