What is the concentration of fruit acid?

Fruit acid creams can be purchased in various thicknesses. The starches are indicated in percent and refer to the percentage of fruit acid contained in the cream. The weakest cream has a share of eight to ten percent, depending on manufacturer and brand.

Then the concentration increases in steps of ten (20%, 30%, 40%, etc.). The strongest cream, which is available over the counter and therefore without a recipe, contains 70% fruit acid. Creams that contain a special form of fruit acids, so-called alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), have a particularly intensive effect.

Side effects of fruit acid cream

Just as varied as the positive effects of fruit acid cream are its side effects. One of the more serious complications is the allergic reaction to the fruit acid cream. This can be caused by the different components of the creams.

Often this only leads to redness and severe itching of the treated skin areas. In the worst case, however, an allergic shock can be caused, which is noticeable in the cardiovascular system and in rare cases can even become life-threatening. Regardless of the allergic reaction, the skin can be irritated by the fruit acid cream.

This is also indicated by reddening and swelling of the skin. The renewal of the skin cells desired by the fruit acid cream can present itself in the meantime in the form of scaling of the skin. In creams that have a special effect in the depths, the hydration of the skin may be intensified.

This can lead to oedema (water retention) in and under the skin. In the case of pronounced edema, this can cause congestion in the lymphatic vessels, which in turn can cause these vessels to become inflamed. Rarely does the application of fruit acid creams lead to a so-called keloid formation, which are adhesions of the skin that can result from excessive activation of skin cell growth. As the fruit acid cream stimulates the production of new skin cells, the skin is initially very sensitive to light after the treatment, as the new skin cells have usually not yet produced enough melatonin (skin pigment) to be protected against the sun.