lactic acid

Lactic acid is a naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) with diverse therapeutic applications depending on its concentration and route of administration. In dermatology, topical lactic acid (typically in 5-15% concentrations) acts as a keratolytic and humectant, used to treat conditions such as atopic dermatitis, plaque psoriasis, ichthyosis, and xerosis. It is also employed as a non-specific irritant to stimulate hair regrowth in patchy alopecia areata. In gynecology, it is a key component of feminine hygiene products (e.g., Sanofi's Dermacyd line) to maintain the physiological acidic pH of the vaginal mucosa. A novel application involves the intradiscal injection of lactic acid (as the investigational agent STA363 by Stayble Therapeutics) to treat chronic discogenic low back pain and radiculopathy; in this context, it induces connective tissue transformation within the nucleus pulposus to stabilize the intervertebral disc and reduce symptoms.

Brand names

Dermacyd

Other names

2-hydroxypropanoic acidL-lactic acidDL-lactic acidE270E-270E 270