alpha hydroxy acid will burn the years off your face

As winter draws to a close (I'm going to ignore the fact that it's snowing as I type), my skin has grown so pale that I can now clearly see that I have, what some in the beauty industry refer to as, “age spots” (ouch), or “photo damage” (“damaged” - double ouch). Personally, I prefer to refer to them as “freckles gone wild”.

Jan, you basket case, I blame you for starting this whole freckle/age spot bashing epidemic.

Thus I decided to try Paula’s Choice 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acid Gel (for normal to dry skin).

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are naturally occurring molecules found in fruit and milk that soften and exfoliate skin. (In higher concentrations, in dermatologists’ offices, they’re called chemical peels).

They cause the cells of the epidermis to become "unglued", allowing the dead skin cells to slough off, making room for younger, new ones. (Kind of like what Hollywood does with actresses.)

AHAs reduce wrinkles, roughness, and mottled pigmentation of photo-damaged skin, after months of daily application.

But there’s a catch (isn't there always), AHAs make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. So, it’s imperative to wear sunscreen while using this product and for a week afterward. 

I used Paula’s Choice 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acid Gel before bedtime. It stings a bit, but my, oh, my is this stuff good. 

First off, my skin immediately looked younger, smoother, firmer and more even toned. By day 3, I swear my wrinkles had already started to be burned off my face. My crow’s feet were reduced and even my marionette lines and brow cleavage, were slightly less deep.  And while it specifically says "avoid contact with eyes and eyelids", I specifically went out of my way to apply it to my eyelids and it drastically reduced the wrinkles and loose skin there (although I might lose my vision at a later date).

As for the "age spots", "photo damage", and "mottled pigmentation", I never had them in the first place, I had “freckles gone wild”, which it appears to maybe be helping a teeny, tiny bit so far (but that could just be wishful thinking). This is a truly great product and it’s only $19 for a 4 oz bottle.   

Check out Paula’s Choice website because you can get samples, for 80¢ (plus shipping).

Anyone else, besides Jan Brady, have any other pigmentation-reducing recommendations?

Comments

[Gitte]

I have been using this exact stuff for a year now and it helped me to get rid of little wrinkles. I love this stuff. I wish that it still tingled for me too, though I know, I know, burning doesn't equal better.
Have fun.

[MB]

you have the most fun skin!!!! just like gitte i never get any tingle to indicate that my products are actually working. oh well. i think i am going to try this!!!! somehow i will squeeze it in among my 800 other face creams.

[jenny]

Hey Gitte,
Glad to hear it still works after a year. I hear you on the burning=better thing. I swear if they made a product that did absolutely nothing except sting, I'd probably buy it.
thanks
jenny

[jenny]

MB,
Yes, I do have fun skin. It's nice to have brow cleavage, and freckles gone wild. I get to try every product on the planet to see if they help:) If you try the Paula's Choice, let me know what you think. I says not to use it with other exfoliating products though (just in case that's one of the 800 products you use:)
jenny

[LL]

Hello,

Love your site. :)

I haven't tried Paula's Choice but for age spots I am a big fan of Shiseido's White Lucent line as well as SK-II's facial treatment essence (Cate Blanchett swears by this!).

[jenny]

Hi LL,
Thanks for the tip! I'll check them out.
Jenny

[Kathleen]

I swear by AHA lotions and use every single day. My skin is so dry and flaky, it does wonders getting rid of all that yucky skin. I don't like gel products, so I ordered the Paula's Choice 10% AHA for the body to try. I asked their customer service and was told that it is safe to use on the face. My skin has been SO much better since using AHA lotion every day, and it helps get rid of acne scars so much faster. Love, love, love!

[Ajlouny]

You have nothing in here about facial scaring. I wonder if it can help with those type of pigment variations?