question about chemical peels
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free skin care · Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:09 pm

I want to do a chemical peel at home. I am on retin a right now if that matters. The problems I want to improve are fine wrinkles and some pigmentation problems like old acne scars (mostly coloration scars, not so much textured) and very light sun damage coloration, the tiniest bit of melasma. I have some overall texture issues...pores showing on my cheeks around my nose is probably the worst...but also visible pores filled with junk on my nose, and more scattered here and there, gunk in them that retin a doesn't seem to get out, they look enlarged...gunk is really in there. Years of picking. I could pick all day and not get it out. When I do get any out, it fills back up immediately. I have done the crushed aspirin mask and it doesn't seem to help me. Basically I have every skin common problem imaginable, but none of them are bad...collectively they all have the overall effect of bad skin, a little bit of every problem. I think from my reading a TCA might help me, and I would love to do a medium peel...but I cannot afford more than 5 days off work, and I can't work with any kind of bad peeling. I could afford a sunday through a thursday at most. The peel I think would help me a lot would be probably a good 10 days off work. I could cover with makeup, but snakeskin is not an option. Flaking is pushing it. I want to do something asap about this. What are my options...a high strength glycolic? I do not have an issue with having to repeat a peel over and over, as long as it gets the job done. Would numerous light peels have the same effect as a medium strength peel...or do they just effect the same layer of skin and never quite get the same results?

Here is a pic....
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/Mex0050/lindsayeds.jpg

free skin care · Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:33 pm

I would try some less aggressive options first to see if you can deal with some of your skin's issues without the big guns of TCA peels and their side effects. So, have you thought about combining a BHA lotion with a physical exfoliation for the nose pore issues? BHA should help loosen the plugs, and manual exfoliation sweep them away. Lots of people have had good luck with microfiber facecloths--PSF makes some very cheap ones available online at EDS, and there are others as well. Another physical exfoliator that has gotten good reviews here is Epidermx--a slightly abrasive cream, also available here on EDS. Then of course there's the Clarisonic for those of deep pocketbooks. Again, you can order it here.

As for the hyperpigmentation, you can try adding vitamin C serum and or whitening agents like kojic acid or mulberrry extract products or the gold standard for hyperpigmentation--hydroquinone, which is controversial but which many people swear by.

A board search on any of these may help you decide if you want to give them a try. Then, if all else fails, you can give a deep TCA peel a try. I have never done so myself, but my impression is that a deep peel is not simply the equivalent of several shallower peels--it is quite different in effect. (But then again, as you noted, there is the downtime associated with a deep peel, too.)

free skin care · Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:21 pm

Eek. Your skin is pretty nice. For fading those hyper-pigmentation marks and (tiny) blackheads you might want to try a C serum and an LED or I can suggest Alpha Beta Peel by MD Skincare for pigmentation and pore size. Take good care of your skin - it's quite nice and you don't want to destroy it!

free skin care · Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:29 pm

I would suggest doing a Lactic Acid peel. Lactic Acid is very good for the skin. I use the 65% from Makeup Artists Choice. It's very easy to do. Just be careful though - don't leave it on for too long because of the fact that you're using Retin A.

Before you try that though, why don't you have a series of microdermabrasions. I also suffer from congested pores, lumps and bumps. Microdermabrasion can do wonders in cleaning out the pores. I was so impressed with my treatment that I've ordered a home microdermabrasion machine so I can vacuum away to my hearts content!

free skin care · Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:06 am

Would suggest spot treating the clogged pores area with BHA peel (I've used 8%, its stings alot)and then all over lactic peel (get the least % to start).

I've purchased both of these from MakeupArtists Choice. Definitely go very slow and listen to your skin. Results will be cumulative.

I would stop retin-a atleast they day before you do the peel, 3 days is really ideal.

free skin care · Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:53 pm

Thank you so much for the compliment callalily! And thanks to all of you for the great information. I feel confident in what to do now as all of your suggestions basically point in the same direction, which is very nice for me because I am new to skincare and totally confused.

Ok, so gathering all the great info from these comments, it looks like I should try some AHA/BHA combo before trying the TCA and see what I can get accomplished. I'm definitely going to be making a diy c serum soon too.

I do have a couple of questions for anyone who might know:

1. Are the at home dermabrasion kits (eyeing olay/philosophy) even comparable to professional treatments? What about the cloths? I just can't afford $100 microderm treatments at the moment, but if the AHA/BHA peels aren't enough, I will add this before TCA, but I'd like to know if it's worth trying the cheaper options.

2. I'm tempted to buy the 65% lactic acid and the 8% BHA, and dilute it to a lesser strength to begin so I don't have to do a repurchase...I can dilute these with water correct? Also...how many treatments do you get per ounce generally?

You guys are awesome! Thank you so much!

Very Happy

free skin care · Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:53 am

mex0050 wrote:

1. Are the at home dermabrasion kits (eyeing olay/philosophy) even comparable to professional treatments? What about the cloths? I just can't afford $100 microderm treatments at the moment, but if the AHA/BHA peels aren't enough, I will add this before TCA, but I'd like to know if it's worth trying the cheaper options.

2. I'm tempted to buy the 65% lactic acid and the 8% BHA, and dilute it to a lesser strength to begin so I don't have to do a repurchase...I can dilute these with water correct? Also...how many treatments do you get per ounce generally?

IMO the home microdermabrasion kits aren't nearly as effective as a professional microdermabrasion treatment. But if you are strapped for cash I would do a Lactic Acid peel first - it comes in different strengths so you can start off with a weaker one first. One little bottle of LA will last you absolutely ages and do a large number of peels so it's very economical. After you've done a peel and your skin has recovered, then you could look at using a home dermabrasion kit.

free skin care · Sun Sep 20, 2009 6:40 pm

As far as at home type peels are concerned would this be the level of intensity:

3. Lactic
2. Glycolic
1. TCA

Thanks!

free skin care · Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:28 am

Whatever you do be careful! I suggest going to realself.com. I love looking at the before and after pictures and different peoples advice. I think it's better to be safe then sorry.

http://www.realself.com/Chemical-peel/reviews

You are a real cutie! I don't think you would need to do much to get your skin in optimum shape.

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