Glycolic acid, a kind of alpha hydroxy acid present in meals, is successful within the skincare world. Many individuals with zits or boring pores and skin embrace glycolic acid of their skincare routine. However have you learnt that this pure acid derived from sugarcane can be useful in your hair? Whereas netizens have been rooting for glycolic acid on account of its capability to eliminate dandruff, it could actually work wonders for individuals with oily hair and people coping with hair loss as effectively. However it’s worthwhile to watch out in relation to the focus of glycolic acid in addition to length if you wish to get pleasure from these advantages. An excessive amount of glycolic acid could cause scalp irritation. So, earlier than utilizing glycolic acid for hair, understand how a lot is nice sufficient and use it safely.

What’s glycolic acid?

Glycolic acid is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid that comes from sugarcane. It’s mostly used as an exfoliating agent, as per a analysis printed in Beauty Dermatology in 2009. It’s broadly utilized in skincare, as it could actually assist to take away lifeless pores and skin cells, promote cell turnover, and enhance pores and skin texture and tone, says dermatologist Dr Mikki Singh.

What are the advantages of glycolic acid for hair?

Listed here are a few of the glycolic acid advantages for hair:

1. Dandruff removing

On TikTok, customers have been selling a glycolic acid ‘hair hack’. They claimed that the acid helped take away dandruff, which is principally a build-up of lifeless pores and skin. Nicely, they weren’t flawed. One of many important advantages of glycolic acid is its exfoliating property, which helps alleviate frequent scalp points comparable to dandruff, itchiness, and flakiness, says dermatologist Dr Pawan Singh. By breaking down the bonds that maintain lifeless pores and skin cells collectively, glycolic acid permits them to be simply shed.

2. Controls oil manufacturing

Glycolic acid is nice for individuals with an oily scalp, as it could actually cast off extra sebum. This manner it could actually assist to regulate oil manufacturing and maintain the scalp cleaner, says Dr Mikki. Additionally, its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties assist cleanse the scalp, lowering the presence of dangerous micro organism.

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3. Hair development stimulation

Glycolic acid enhances blood circulation within the scalp, nourishing hair follicles and selling hair development. Improved blood circulate can ship important vitamins and oxygen to the hair roots, supporting the hair development cycle.

4. Improved hair texture

Utilizing glycolic acid can enhance hair texture by smoothing the hair cuticles. This makes the hair seem smoother, shinier, and extra manageable. Easy cuticles mirror gentle higher, leading to more healthy and extra vibrant-looking hair.

5. Enhanced product absorption

This acid can improve the absorption of hair care merchandise. When integrated right into a hair care routine, it could actually optimise the effectiveness of hair conditioners, serums, and coverings by permitting higher penetration into the hair shaft, making certain most advantages from these merchandise, says Dr Pawan.

What ought to be the focus of glycolic acid?

For hair and scalp remedies, a focus of glycolic acid between 5 to 10 % is mostly efficient, says Dr Mikki. Decrease concentrations are safer for at-home use. They’re efficient but light to be used.

How one can use glycolic acid for hair?

You may apply a low-concentration glycolic acid serum on to your hair and scalp. Gently therapeutic massage it in, look forward to 20 to half-hour, after which wash it off together with your common shampoo. It’s best to make use of it within the night or cowl your head in case you exit within the solar after utilizing it, as glycolic acid could make your scalp extra delicate to sunburn, says Dr Pawan.

What are the uncomfortable side effects of utilizing glycolic acid for hair?

It’s typically secure in your scalp and hair in case you use a glycolic acid hair care product with a focus of beneath 10 %. You must also not use glycolic acid greater than a few times every week, and less than 20 or half-hour at one time, says Dr Pawan. Exceeding the really useful focus, utility length, or frequency could cause sure uncomfortable side effects –

Glycolic acid can enhance your hair well being. However extended publicity to it could actually injury your hair and scalp. It will possibly result in adversarial reactions, comparable to scalp irritation.