A theory for the mechanism of action of the α-hydroxy acids applied to the skin

doi:10.1054/MEHY.1998.0788

Paper

A theory for the mechanism of action of the α-hydroxy acids applied to the skin

Published Nov 1, 1999 · X. Wang

Medical Hypotheses

Q2 SJR score

50

Citations

1

Influential Citations

Full textSemantic Scholar

Abstract

A theory for the mechanism of action of α-hydroxy acids topically applied to the skin is proposed on the basis of an analysis with the experimental and clinical data. The α-hydroxy acids reduce the calcium ion concentration in the epidermis and remove calcium ions from the cell adhesions by chelation. This causes a loss of calcium ions from the cadherins of the desmosomes and adherens junctions, from the tight junctions, and possibly also from other divalent metallic cation-dependent cell adhesion molecules. The cell adhesions are thereby disrupted, resulting in desquamation. Desquamation is enhanced by cleavage of the endogenous stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme on the cadherins, which are otherwise protected from proteolysis by conjugation with calcium ions. The decrease of calcium ion level so brought about in the epidermis also tends to promote cell growth and retard cell differentiation, giving rise to a younger-looking skin. This property of α-hydroxy acids suggests that caution should be taken with excessive and chronic use of these compounds and studies in this regard are warranted. α-hydroxy acids may also possess anti-inflammatory capacities.

Study Snapshot

-hydroxy acids topically applied to the skin reduce calcium ion concentration, disrupt cell adhesions, promote cell growth, and may possess anti-inflammatory capacities, leading to younger-looking skin.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Sign up to use Study Snapshot

Consensus is limited without an account. Create an account or sign in to get more searches and use the Study Snapshot.

Create an account

Paper

A theory for the mechanism of action of the α-hydroxy acids applied to the skin

Sign up to use Study Snapshot

References

The role of divalent cations in epidermolysis.

Removal of magnesium from the epidermis causes epidermolysis, suggesting that magnesium deficiency is responsible for this skin damage.

A chelate theory for the mechanism of action of aspirin-like drugs.

Aspirin-like drugs may exert their therapeutic effects by chelating physiologically important metallic cations in the body, supporting the chelate theory.

Calcium binding and homoassociation of E-cadherin domains.

The four calcium binding pockets in E-cadherin are not identical, suggesting the N-terminal domain pair may play a role in calcium regulation of cell-cell adhesion.

Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid.

Topical lactic acid treatments improve skin smoothness and texture, with 12% lactic acid influencing both the epidermis and dermis, while 5% lactic acid only affects surface changes.

Effects of α-hydroxy acids on photoaged skin: Apilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study

-hydroxy acids significantly reverse epidermal and dermal markers of photoaging, increasing skin thickness and improving skin quality without inflammation.

Citations

Protein degradation in the stratum corneum.

Protein degradation in the stratum corneum plays a crucial role in skin barrier function and can be modulated to enhance barrier function and treat skin disorders.

Lactic Acid Chemical Peeling in Skin Disorders

Lactic acid is a safe and effective chemical peeling agent for treating skin disorders, with potential as a suitable treatment for Chinese skin.

Exploring the efficacy of AHA–BHA infused nanofiber skin masks as a topical treatment for acne vulgaris

AHA-BHA infused nanofiber skin masks effectively reduce inflammation, sebum production, and acne lesions, suggesting they could be a promising topical treatment for acne vulgaris.

The hydroxy acids: Where have we been and what's new?

Hydroxy acids have been used for treating various skin conditions for decades, and recent studies have improved our understanding of their applications and therapeutic benefits.

A Primeval Mechanism of Tolerance to Desiccation Based on Glycolic Acid Saves Neurons in Mammals from Ischemia by Reducing Intracellular Calcium‐Mediated Excitotoxicity

Glycolic acid treatment during reperfusion effectively protects against ischemic damage and improves functional outcome in stroke models, potentially reducing mortality and disability in stroke patients.

Avaliação da qualidade de produtos cosméticos contendo ácido glicólico

Quality control in cosmetic products containing glycolic acid is crucial to ensure safety and efficacy for users.

PLGA/chitosan-heparin composite microparticles prepared with microfluidics for the construction of hMSC aggregates.

PLGA/chitosan-heparin composite microparticles prepared with microfluidics improve the biological and functional profile of human mesenchymal stem cells, potentially facilitating MSC-based therapy applications.

Dermatologic reactions to disinfectant use during the COVID-19 pandemic

Disinfectants used against COVID-19 can cause skin reactions like irritation, inflammation, and burning, posing a risk to human health.

Glycolic acid adjusted to pH 4 stimulates collagen production and epidermal renewal without affecting levels of proinflammatory TNF‐alpha in human skin explants

Glycolic acid at pH 4 stimulates collagen production and epidermal renewal without affecting proinflammatory TNFalpha levels in human skin explants.