In various chemical peels, alpha hydroxy acid lotion is used. The concentration of alpha hydroxyl acid in the lotion is decided according to the person's skin on which it will be applied. The products having alpha hydroxy acid must have concentration of less than ten percent. Expert dermatologists can use the alpha hydroxy acid lotion having a concentration level of 20 to 30 percent. The chemical peels having alpha hydroxy acid in them work similar to micro dermabrasion in removing fine lines and giving a softer and smoother appearance to the skin after one to three applications. However, to maintain the same appearance of skin, this treatment should be repeated in every three to six months.

Doctors can use the products having fifty to seventy percent of alpha hydroxy acid lotion. These products can also be used to remove surface scratch marks and fine wrinkles. The effect of these products can last up to two to five years. If more quantity of alpha hydroxy acid lotion is used in chemical peels, it can cause inflammation and irritation on skin. At a quantity of fifty to seventy percent concentration, a person may suffer from serious redness, shedding and discharging skin that could last for one to four weeks.

The alpha hydroxy acid is found in many skin care products such as moisturizers, skin cleansers, eye lotions, sunscreen creams, foundations etc. If one has decided to use alpha hydroxy acid lotion then he/she can take help of guidelines, which are as follows. It would be better to choose a skin care product containing proper quantity of alpha hydroxy acid lotion as an exfoliant, and then opt for cosmetic or skin care product, which does not have alpha hydroxy acid in it. This will reduce the possibility of skin irritation and/or redness.

The best combination of products, which one should use, can be the moisturizer base and alpha hydroxy acid lotion. Those cleansers that contain alpha hydroxy acid lotion are not so effective because it is necessary for the skin to soak the hydroxyl acid to function properly. However, the cleanser is washed off from the skin before absorption occurs. There are no effective products, which have a combination of alpha hydroxy acid, and sunscreen, as sunscreen is not constant at the pH needed to make the alpha hydroxy acid effectual.

While using alpha hydroxy acid lotion, the sunscreen should be used generously. The sunscreen must have an SPF of minimum fifteen for UVB protection and contain avobenzone, titanium oxide or zinc oxide for UVA protection. Effective results can be achieved when five to eight percent of concentration of alpha hydroxy acid and pH of three to four is used. Unluckily, there is no requirement of providing concentration information on label of cosmetics by manufacturers. The only way to check the pH of a product is to use a pH strip for doing the test. In this way, one can ensure about the level of alpha hydroxy acid lotion available in a cosmetic product.