Too much glycolic?
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free skin care · Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:59 pm

I am 25 years old and I have some acne scars, uneven skin tone, as well as underye eye wrinkles/the beginnings of crow's feet -- all of which have negatively affected my self-esteem lately.

I have started going to a skincare specialist who has put me on a program with glycolic acid. I use a 10% gel she gave me daily, and she has suggested I come into her office for higher concentration peels. I've had one peel so far (40% glycolic) and was pleased with the initial results but after about a week, my skin seems to have reverted back to the original problems.

Would it benefit me to get these higher concentration peels weekly for a little while? I am eager to see definite results. I also will be a bridesmaid for a wedding in about a month and a half and I would love for my skin texture and wrinkles to improve some by then so I can feel more confident about appearing in pictures.

Someone tell me, how much is too much with glycolic peels? Do more frequent peels create more benefits?

free skin care · Fri Feb 24, 2006 2:48 am

I had a series of glycolic peels, I think it was 6 but it could have been 4 - can't remember now - but I had them done once a week. I don't know the concentration of the peel, but I think it was a MD Formulations peel. They helped, but not enormously. A couple of times they broke me out worse than I had been before, but then the next weeks peel would help the previous weeks breakout.

I don't get the same kind of breakouts anymore, probably due to
1. me being happier
2. good skin care rutine, it's changed my skin and it's reactions.
3. contraceptives

So I don't really have a good answer for you Janis, sorry - only got my experience to share.

Good luck and try not to fret too much before the wedding.

free skin care · Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:02 pm

Hi Janis,
I think what is happening is that once you have a peel, the top layer of skin is being exfoliated. Well, pimples are usually deeper than just the top layer, so it will take more than one treatment to get deep enough, and until all of that bacteria has come up to the surface and disappeared.
I would suggest ( just suggest) you go to platinumskincare.com and buy maybe a 30% glycolic peel.
I've been using their 30% peel once a month at home and it works really well. It is not going to be as strong as the Dr's but that's because they don't want anyone burning their skin. Use the peel once a week on the same day until the week before the wedding. Your skin should have improved by then. Also expect it to sting a little bit.

It'll take a few weeks for the peels to have gotten out all of the bacteria that cause the pimples.
Hope that maybe this works, Good Luck.

Keep us posted!
Lola

free skin care · Sat Feb 25, 2006 12:10 pm

Hi Lola,

Just curious: what can you expect (peeling wise) when you use a 30% glycolic peel once a month? Does your skin flake or peel? How often is it safe to exfoliate?

I have been using IS Clinical for the past month or so but am looking into using peels like the one you are using...but first would like to understand and have an idea of what will happen to my skin.

TIA!!
Shelley

free skin care · Sat Feb 25, 2006 12:20 pm

You know, a lot of sources I trust have told me that any glycolic peel that's over 15% should only be done professionally -- i.e. not at home. So in the interest of not doing irreversible damage to my skin, I do think I'm going to stick with that. I have noticed that you can buy higher strength stuff on the Internet, but I'm a novice and I don't want to make any huge mistakes there. The risk doesn't seem worth it to me.

Since I posted, I've had another professional strength peel as well. I do like the subtle results I've been seeing, although yes, the treatment is pricey, and yes, I do feel like I'm going to have to get quite a few to experience max benefits. I'm at a point in my life where I have the money and desire to do so, though.

free skin care · Sun Feb 26, 2006 12:22 am

Hi Shelley,

As far as the 30% peel goes, I have not peeled once. I am also in my 20's, with very fair skin and freckles. The way it worked out for me was that I got my first peel at the doctor's office ( it was a 25% BioMedic salycilic peel). That one stung like hell, and I peeled a bit for a few days, but overall my skin reacted very well to it. So, I started doing alot of research and found platinumskincare.com. The first and only bottle of peel solution that I've ever bought was a 30%. I took all precautions, started slowly and applied it for 3 mins the first time. I thought it would really sting like the one at the dr's, but it really did not. What you buy over the counter is nowhere near as strong as what you'd get from the Dr's, well at least not the 30% from this website. So I really don't see anything wrong. The people at that website are very helpful and you can email them with all and any questions you may have.
I would suggest if you buy a peel to do a spot test in a tiny area behind your ear and see how you react ( I'm sure you knew that though) Wink

.
I hope this was of some help to you.
Also, I understand where Janis is coming from, and good luck to you. I would never apply something to my skin that would scar me (I'm a working actress in nyc and my career and income depend on my face and the condition of my skin, which I take very good care of).
Good luck Shelley!!!

PS. If you buy a peel you should think about getting the Emu oil to apply right afterwards. That really helps keep the skin moist and helps it heal better. It's also a great moisturizer during the cold winter months. Smile

free skin care · Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:54 am

i had used the 35% glycolic peels from makeupartistschoice.com for a couple of months and the results were good. I used it twice a week. My skin overall looked better and smoother but i had depressed acne scarring and fine lines on the forehead, and the peels didn't help much with those.

free skin care · Mon Feb 27, 2006 12:20 pm

Thanks Lola!!

Sharky suggested that I test a spot under the chin so that is what I have been doing so far! But thanks for the reminders and warnings….never hurts to say it again!! I think I will do what you did….go to a doctor first see how my skin reacts and then try platinumskincare.com. Right now I am in the research phase….oh, yeah! And the trying-to-save-money-to-afford-this-stuff phase so I won’t be taking any big leaps any time soon.

Thanks for the tip on emu oil! Will get some soon. I also just ordered PSF’s O2 serum to help my skin heal faster after using acids so will use that too.

Thanks again!!
Shelley

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