Pics! Skin remodeling w/CPs, emu oil and acids! My journey!
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

free skin care · Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:19 am

I wanted to give some feedback to anyone who is currently using CPs/acids or considering them for skin remodeling. About a month or two back, I decided to really hit the skin care with a vengeance and mind you, I've been taking care of myself ever since I can remember but not necessarily with the best products.

Fast forward, I discovered Dr. Pickart and copper peptides and the journey began. I started out slowly and am currently up to 6 drops CP Serum/2 drops water mixed each night along w/Night Eyes Premier, TriReduction on neck and BND Cream on decollétage. I use Exfol under my eyes and around my lips, LacSal on my neck and decollétage, and 5% BHA 2x each day for exfoliation. I add Mandelic Acid in the AM, as well and do a 35% fruit acid peel every 1-2 weeks. I also use a microfiber cloth, Clarisonic brush, PSF Pumpkin mask and microdermabrasion cream.

I have a rather involved regime but it doesn't take me long and boy, oh, boy, has my skin improved and so have a myriad of issues I wanted to address (uneven texture, scarring, mole removal, control the VERY oily-nature of my skin, thicker lashes and especially eyebrows and lastly, broken caps - these I'm still working on with my BabyQ but need to be more diligent).

I have been seeing what is called "remodeling" where you see the skin changing, which indicates that collegen is being produced and new skin is forming. One of the signs of this is that scars look "wider" or old scars suddenly resurface. They do go away and new skin is pushed upward and this is a good sign of things improving. Well, I decided to add a bit of abrasion to the mix, which in my case was to gently rub a soft toothbrush after I applied my BHA 5% to "work" the product further into the skin as well as abrade the skin, which kicks things up a notch. Well, it started working almost immediately!

In fact, I think this also helped kick my exfoliation into gear from my last 35% fruit acid peel! My skin was "sheeting" last night and the new skin was nice and pink!!! Yay! Now, for the scars, the one mole (you can see it in the before and breakdown pics and it's almost GONE). In fact, it's pink, too and I cannot even feel it anymore. I know where it was, naturally, and can see the faintest outline but for me, that is killer cool as it was so annoying before! I'm sold on acids and CPs for remodeling! On my cheeks, where the bulk of the orange peel and ice pick scars are, they are actually remodeling almost before my eyes! In fact, I currently notice:

-A little deeper line where crow's feet are (normally, I have just the tiniest line here)
-Scars appearing "wider"
-My neck lines are more noticeable (I've been treating them w/LacSal or Exfol and TriReduction)

I have also added the Zenbiotics products into my AM routine and this is my big time HOLY GRAIL for oil control!!! Here is an updated pic after this morning's routine (no makeup except touched up brows and curled lashes):

Here's a breakdown of some of my targeted areas. Notice how great the brows are looking and my lashes are out of control (thanks, Jan Marini). You can see the new skin and compare to the more "golden" color of skin still around my eye area! I am VERY pleased with my progress so far!:

Before dated August 25, 2006. The color's a little off but I was more "golden". You can see how much my brows, lashes, skin tone and texture have improved in just ONE month!!!:

free skin care · Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:55 pm

kalegr wrote:

I have been considering using CPs for awhile, your results are inspiring! I am definitely interested in your skincare routine.

For kalegr and others who may be interested, here is my current routine. Yes, it's involved but I've noted comments to help clarify:

This doesn't take as long as you might think. The only real time length is for the 30 minutes after applying my acids. I've added times to give you an idea of how long it all takes. I won't give up what BHA/Mandelic has done for my pores so choose to continue "sacrificing" the time as it solves so much for me. I make breakfast (usually a health shake, pop my supps, brush teeth, get dressed during that time) so it's not wasted.

AM
· Cleanse with Zenbiotics cleanser, exfol with microfiber cloth, rinse (0 minutes - do in shower)
· (occasional) Spot treat scars w/TCA 20% applied w/cottoned toothpick then neutralize w/baking soda/H2O and rinse (3-5 minutes)
· Zenbiotics Oxy Toner (skin prep) sprayed on face (1 minute)
· BHA 2% all over then 5% on problem areas (nose/forehead) - rub this in gently with a soft toothbrush to scarred and blackhead-prone problem areas (2 minutes)
· Exfol serum around eyes, lips; LacSal lotion on neck, décolletage and hands (1 minute)
· Mandelic acid all over (about 10 drops) - WAIT 30 minutes (1 minute)
· PSF Browtox on forehead and in between brows (using 2x day for first month and see results already in muscle relaxation)
· PSF DMAE Toner on face/neck then pat in (wonderful, actually chiseling cheekbones)
· PSF Cranberry Phyto-Lift eye gel followed up by PSF Stimucol-C under eyes (both fabulous!!!) (2 minutes for above 3 steps)
· Zenbiotics Phyto Moisturizer sprayed on face (recently added these products and really, really impressed)
· Zenbiotics Cell Renewal Serum - 1 drop lightly all over while face is damp (additional cell turnover) (1 minute for above 2 steps)
· ISC Super serum (face, neck, chest and hands - for antioxidant and sun protection, this is a Vit. C serum) (1 minute & 5 minute wait)
· Zenbiotics Oxygen (soothe and detox) sprayed on face/neck (this balances my still semi-oily skin - a HG for me!)
· SPF 30 Shiseido, if sunny and going to be out a lot - otherwise, I rely on antioxidants (Super serum), which is most of the time so this step is normally skipped

17 minutes + 30 minute wait after BHA/Mandelic

PM
· Cleanse w/Devita Aloe cleanser to remove makeup (use Clarisonic brush - manual exfoliation) (3 minutes)
· Jan Marini eyelash treatment (0 minute)
· BHA 5% all over - rub this in gently with a soft toothbrush to scarred and blackhead-prone problem areas (2 minutes)
· Exfol serum around eyes, lips; LacSal lotion on neck, décolletage and hands - WAIT 30 minutes (1 minute)
· CP Serum (6 drops CP/2 drops water) to face (working up to full application) (1 minute)
· Night Eyes Premier around eyes (no problems w/this as others have reported w/other CPs)
· TriReduction on neck/BND on décolletage/Folligen to brows (seeing remodeling w/all CPs - very happy - applying all of my CPs takes me about 1.5 minutes; let absorb)
· Ultra Emu oil w/HA lightly applied to face and neck (this is fab for healing and preventing breakouts; another HG) (1 minute)
· Spot treat scars w/SuperCop 2x (used in conjunction w/TCA acid to remove scars/moles) (1 minute)
· Katee's Eye potion or Cellcosmet eye cream (for eye moisturization; not in love w/either at this point so still up in the air right now)
· Castor oil to lashes then blot excess (part of my lash growth routine; fantastic) (1 minute)

12 minutes + 30 minute wait after BHA/Exfol

Every 1-2 weeks, 35% DY fruit acid peel with PSF Oxygen toner to help with irritation sprayed 2x/day after peel (I love this peel; excellent results).

free skin care · Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:10 am

fifi wrote:

Scalawaggirl, your skin looks great, and I certainly wouldn't take you for 40 (I'm 40 myself and find that I automatically put people into a "younger than me" or "older than me" category when I look at their skin)!

I just took a look at the DY products and am kind of overwhelmed - I'm actually pretty happy with the skincare routine I have now (Organic Pharmacy serums in the morning and Remergent DNA Repair in the evening) and plan to stick with it for a while but do have some sagging of the lower face and jawline starting that could do with being addressed (I don't think anything in my current routine is designed for that). Do you have any idea which of the CP products might work best for that? And are they easy to slot in with another routine?

Thanks, fifi! I am extremely pleased with my progress and can't tell you how wonderful it is that so far, it's only been 2 months! I may be wearing diapers when I reach my utopia, I'll look so young... hmm

, could be the old-girl diapers, too. I'll have to rethink that one. Laughing

I would suggest doing some research into CPs. They certainly can help with sagging issues and there are some fantastic before/after pics onwww.skinbiology.com, the inventor's (CPs) site for just this issue. You can peruse that and I can help answer your specific questions (or atleast try really hard).

Yes, you can add them into an existing routine quite easily, in fact, and CPs are superior at assisting in the skin's healing process. For my initial recommendation, I'd say start off with CP Serum, it is the weakest formulation and begin using it (evening is easiest, I find, because I use Vitamin C for sun resistence/antioxidant properties in the AM and they interfere when used simultaneously so I stagger them AM/PM). You would begin by diluting the CP Serum as follows (8 drop count, if you find you need more, use a 10 drop count, same rules):

Week 1 - 4 drops CP Serum/4 drops water
Week 3 - 5 drops CP/3 drops water
Week 5 - 6 CP/2 water
Week 7 - 7 CP/1 water
Week 9 - 8 CP straight onward

Now, the use of emu oil is quite beneficial and is also helpful in case you are sensitive to CPs and need to build up more of a tolerance. You can use emu first, then apply CPs to "buffer" them. Or, in my case, I use CPs first, let absorb, then apply emu/HA to "intensify" the effects of the CPs. Make sense? The Ultra Emu I use at night because it's heavier and I love the healing properties I get after the tirade on my skin! The Clear Emu I use during the day but only if I find I need moisturization - does happen with all the exfol, etc. but I am normally very oily. This is actually getting under control, though, so another battle I am winning! I mix either type of emu w/one blob of HA to assist with absorbtion.

Lastly, I would add some sort of exfoliation by virture of a BHA, AHA or Lactid Acid as this will assist with cell turnover. It all depends on your skin type and any other issues you have in regard to which one would be better to use. Are you sensitive? Dry/oily/combo? And so on. I happen to use Exfol, LacSal (Lactic Acid/Salicylic Acid), BHA and Fruit Acid peel but all for different areas as none can tolerate the same acids. Smile

For example, around my eyes, lips and neck (alternate w/LacSal), I use Exfol as it is very gentle. BHA on my face to attack congested pores, etc. and LacSal on my hands and decollétage.

A lot of info, huh? Very Happy

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:25 am

An update, all. Here are comparison pictures from about halfway into my CPs/etc. and a recent photograph. You can see that my changes are huge so just wanted to give some positive reinforcement that lines can be reversed. Smile

Taken 11/6/06 (3 months using CPs):

Taken 2/5/07 (6 months using CPs):

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:58 am

skincarefreak wrote:

Wow! That is so nice to see! I need to go back and look at your routine.

My routine right now is this (saving you the trouble as I change it around a bit here and there):

AM
· Rinse with water; Epidermix II (in lieu of cleansing)
· PSF Cranberry Phyto-Lift on upper lids
· Exfol Serum (under eyes and on neck); Mandelic acid 15% on oily areas - WAIT 30 minutes (occasional - maybe 3x a week)
· Candessence Triple C Serum (face, neck, chest and hands) - wait 10 minutes
· Candessence's Firming Serum, then DMAE 6% layered
· PSF Super Hydrating Eye Cream all around eyes
· Clear Emu oil/HA/Sea Kelp Bioferment lightly applied to face and neck
· Sofina Nuance, if sunny and going to be out a lot - I rely on antioxidants (Vitamin C and internal), if not

PM
· Cleanse w/Perfect Complexion's TCA Cleanser with Clarisonic brush
· Jan Marini eyelash treatment (once every 3 nights)
· Exfol Serum (under eyes and on neck); BHA 2% on face - WAIT 30 minutes
· CP Serum/Super CP Serum (8 drops mixed) to face, Night Eyes Premier under/around eyes, CP Serum on neck/BND on décolletage
· Ultra Emu oil/HA lightly applied to face and neck
· PSF Super Hydrating Eye Cream all around eyes
· Castor oil to lashes and brows (if I remember)

The consistent things have been use of copper peptides and exfoliation with Exfol serum (around eyes) and BHA for the rest of my face.

ETA: I also use chemical peels regularly, as well (once a month, normally).

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:29 pm

skincarefreak wrote:

Hi there,

Thank you for listing your routine. Out of curiosity, did you have signs of misuse? For example, for me after a couple of days I seem to have more lines and they look deeper. Did you ever see signs like that?

That is probably due to going to quickly with CPs. You should be starting with the weakest formula diluted and working your way up. Here's the mix I used:

Starting routine for CPs:

4 drops CP + 4 drops water - now
5 drops CP + 3 drops water - 2 weeks
6 drops CP + 2 drops water - 2 weeks
7 drops CP + 1 drop water - 2 weeks
8 drops CP

I started with CP Serum and am just now up to 6 drops Super CP/2 drops CP Serum. I did notice some sagging when I tried to go to Super CP too soon. When, I backed off, everything went back to normal. Oh, and when I first started, I put full strength CP Serum on my neck and immediately broke out. Now, I use a 50/50 mix of the CP/Super CP and have no issues - just takes getting used to them.

free skin care · Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:45 pm

yogi wrote:

Scalawaggirl -

Will you please have a look at this? And what if I added mandelic? Where would it go?

AM

Cleanse
PSF Cranberry on eyes
Lacsal Wait 30 min ???
Triple C – wait 10 min
DMAE
PSF Hydrating eye cream
Emu/HA

PM

Cleanse
CP Serum
Night Eyes
Trireduction
Emu/HA
PSF Hydrating Eyes

TIA!

Hi, Yogi. Hmm, the mandelic could go after the LacSal but I imagine you'd need another 30 minute wait due to possibly differing Ph levels (I know Exfol Serum/Cream is like this). Alternatively, you could use the mandelic every other day as a substitution for the LacSal or, at night, you could use it right before CP Serum (then 30 minute wait time) - you could also use it every other night in this same way, if every night was too much or you didn't want the wait time.

HTH,
Tricia

free skin care · Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:29 pm

Lisey wrote:

The fruit acid sounds nice.. I'm still in my early 20's, do you think it would be okay for me to use the 35% fruit acid peel?

Honestly, Lisey, I'd steer clear of peels at your age. The reason is that you are still producing a nice amount of collagen and skin turnover is generally good; however, if you need a refresher, the fruit acid is nice. I would try a sample, though, and please take care to only use for 1 minute at first. I had to play around with my peels until I ultimately settled on TCA, which my skin loves. Most others were just okay and some didn't work at all for me.

free skin care · Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:29 pm

yogi wrote:

Scally -
So I am mildly breaking out, and I'm getting blackheads on my chin. Unusual for me. Vit C is the newest in my regime:

lacsal
vit C
super sc serum
trireduction
emu
plus eye products

Last night I did oil cleaning, which didn't do much for my chin, tonight I'll try aspirin and yogurt.

Could it be the C Question

Yes, it could be the C. Sometimes, things just do not agree with us. I tried the Super Serum from ISC and used it for awhile but it caused blackheads for me so I switched. Take it out of your routine for a few days and then see, if you are continuing to break out. After that, you can reintroduce it to test and, if you do breakout again, and if so, there's your culprit. If you still break out with it out of your routine, it's likely another product or combination.

BTW, a quick breakout healer I've found (this stuff is incredible) is Grapefruit Seed Extract. I have used it for years to clean my fruit (I add a couple of drops to water and swish my veggies/fruit). Well, I saw on another board that people use it for clearing up acne, which makes perfect sense. So, on a wet face, I added about 10 drops mixed with water in my hand and applied all over, then rinsed. Some people experience burning but that's due to not diluting and applying on dry skin. Never do that. This will clear you up ASAP! Makes for a great tool when testing because you won't have to sit around for a week while you heal up. You can find it at health food stores. Oh, you should adjust the amount of drops to your situation. I'd say for you 2-3 drops would do it.

free skin care · Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:52 am

yogi wrote:

scalawaggirl wrote:

yogi wrote:

Hi Scally,

I'm interested in adding in one of Julie's products to the Skin Bio regime -- maybe the Latte or the complex? I wondered what your recommendation would be? TIA!

Hi, Yogi. I use both! When I want to do an all over peel, I use the TCA Complex. Then, the following two nights, I use the TCA Latte to push the process along. You can also use the TCA Latte for daily peeling to keep the skin fresh but I don't as I like to put some time between peels. HTH!

When you use the complex do you quit the rest of your products? Or do you continue to use them?

I use everything except emu oil and my retinoid (Ystheal Gel). So, I still cleanse and use my CPs. I skip emu or other oils to allow the peel to happen quicker.

Automatic Message

If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.

Click Here to join our community.

If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site.