Q. What is the Difference Between Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid?

A. Lactic acid is a gentler more moisturizing peel that only penetrates the first few layers of skin. Ideal for rosacea, light wrinkles and fine lines, freckles, acne and overly sensitive dry skin. First time peel users should consider using lactic acid first to determine tolerance levels. After a lactic acid peel is applied, the acid penetrates the skin and help to kill bacteria and germs. It also reduces the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, this leads to a reduction in age spots. Glycolic penetrates the skin for a deeper peel and is good for more severe wrinkles, scars, age spots and hyperpigmentation.  Glycolic can be rough on those with super sensitive skin types.

 

Q. What is the PH of your acids?

A. Planet Eden only sells unbuffered acids (for deeper peels) acid with the PH around 1.0 - 3.5 - Peels of higher strength are intended to be diluted with water to reach a strength appropriate for your skin type. A patch test is required to determine this. 

 

Q. I have never done a peel before, what strength do I need?

A. Start with nothing higher than a 30% peel, work your way up to a higher strength and let your skin adapt to the acids. remember ALL acids can/should be diluted with a water to help weaken the acid that is appropriate fro your skintype.

 

Q. My teenager has severe acne, what do you recommend?

A.  A 10%-30% salicylic peel is recommended for severe acne, the ingredients in the peel will "calm" the acne and help it to heal. It will likely take 3-4 applications before acne is gone (repeat once skin is back to normal). The skin may peel and cause the acne to disappear.  If your child has scars from the acne (once the acne is under control) proceed to a low strength glycolic peel to lighten the pink/red marks. 

Q. How Often do you Recommend I use the Peel?
A. Until you can gauge your skins tolerance to the acid, 1x every 10-14 days to help condition the skin, then no more than 1x per week after that. Space out your peels to allow your skin time to heal and rejuvenate. Use high SPF to protect from skin, as unprotected skin can result in hyperpigmentation (brown spots). Overdoing skin peels will cause the skin to look overly dry and tight. Your skin will tell you when too much is too much!

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Q.How long do you recommend leaving the acids on your skin?
A. First timers should try for no more than 30-60 seconds, testing your skins tolerance (PERFORMA PATCH TEST, do not skip this step!). As you use the acid your skin will let you know the time it can tolerate the product. I do not recommend anything over 10-15 minutes for highly experienced peel users. Leaving on long periods of time can cause blistering.

Q.What does the peel feel like once on the skin?
A. Tingling, burning sensations can occur, or you may feel nothing at all. No sensation DOES NOT indicate it is not working, you may just be less sensitive to the acids. Some people may experience light to heavy "peeling" (flaking of the skin) and others may not get any peeling. The product will still remove dead skin cells and old sebum regardless of peeling or sensations. Redness and sensitivity is normal and will subside. Using a fan helps tolerate the peel longer. 

Q. I overdid the peel and now my skin is super red and flaky and blistering, what do I do now?
A. Use aloe vera gel and antibiotic cream to help soothe the skin, use only gentle cleaners and creams (Cetaphil or cleansing oil is recommended) after your peel. Redness can last up to a few hours to several days depending on your skins tolerance. Cool compresses will relieve pain. Don't forget to wear your sunscreen!

Q. Nothing happened, what now?
A. Lower strength lactic and glycolic acids may NOT make your face "peel". It will still remove weeks/years of dead surface skin and reveal brighter skin with a even toned texture. This generally occurs for several reasons; the peel was not left on long enough or the strength was not sufficient for your skin type or proper prepping of the skin was not performed. Be sure to prep your skin prior to a peel, using a mild skin scrub and a non soap cleanser will help the peel penetrate better. Increase the time on your skin by 60 seconds each application until you peel.  Troubled skin does not happen over night,  you will need to do consistent treatments to reap the benefits. Some users see results in 1 treatment while others take 5 or more to see benefits.

Q. Can the  acids be used somewhere else besides the face?
A.ABSOLUTELY! You can use the acid anywhere you have skin damage or concerns. I have found using the acid on my hands has gotten rid of sun spots and scars! Use on stretch marks as well. You will need to increase the timing on tougher spots to see an improvement, in most cases using a stronger acid on knees/elbows and feet would be needed. Using a skin scrub on these areas will increase the success of your peel, peeling may not occur on other locations of the body. 

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Q. My face totally broke out after a peel, help!

A.    This   is normal, the peel is bringing up oil/dirt from your pores to the surface. You are purging your pores and it may cause breakouts, this is common and normal,  apply  a mix of tea tree and coconut oil to breakouts.