Facial Peels

[Hawk Lady]

I am thinking about getting a peel to smooth out my complexion .  What types have you had, what did they do for you and, would you recommend it?

[Mim]

I had a TCA peel done on my face  at a derm's office - I think it was about 18-19%.  After about 3 or 4 days it seriously peeled.  The skin underneath was a little pink  - nice new skin. And, it did peel off keratosis like things. It cost several hundred dollars and I had to hide out at home for about a week because of the peeling.

Later I ordered a 12.5% peel  from MUAC.  I use it occasionally and it takes longer for the skin to start peeling - but it does work and doesn't cost a fortune and there is not the downtime like from the stronger peel.  I sometimes use it as a spot treatment on raised, rough areas. A very small bottle lasts ages.  I just apply with a qtip.

I also got a 40% lactic acid peel from MUAC and like to use it at least once a week.  No down time, no obvious peel, but makes my skin look fresh. A small bottle of this also lasts a very long time.  I apply with my fingers.

[makinalist]

Never had a professional peel.  I am using the MUAC 40% Lactic Acid, but when I finish it I think I'll try something stronger.

[anne]

I´ve never had a professional peel, either.

1) I´m a chicken
2) Could not afford the down-time
3) could not resist picking on the loose skin.

I am using Mandelic Acid 15 % (GoW) right now, though. I am hoping to get some of a peel´s benefits but in a slower, gentler and more inexpensive way. Also see 2) and 3). 

Mim, do you have to use a high SPF on your face forever now? Is the new skin quite normal colour or paler than you used to be?

Hawk Lady, what are your main reasons for wanting the peel, or rather, the issues you want to solve? I´m curious!  Also, if you decide to do it, please tell us what you thought about it, the results, etc etc. 

[marci65]

So glad to see this topic.  I have been wanting to try an at-home peel, but was afraid that I would have my skin coming off in sheets. 

Mim, the items you mentioned and how you use them seem to fit with what I was looking for.  I am going to keep my eyes peeled for the next MUAC sale so that maybe I can try samples or smaller sized bottles. 

I get so confused when I read on MUA about all the different peels and concentrations.  Also, I can't easily tell if the posters there have 40+ yo skin (I think younger = more resilient skin, so they would bounce back from peeling quickly or not peel as much as I probably would.)

Definitely subscribing to this thread. 

[makinalist]

The peel I have is quite gentle - almost anyone can use it.  I get a brightening effect but no peeling or flaking whatsoever.  The MUAC sample sizes are generous enough to use several times, so I started with the most gentle and intend to work my way up gradually.  I like not having to get the full size to see how it works for me. They have a sale just about every month and always free shipping.

Marci - Have you tried reading reviews on MUA using the age filter?  I always use only the top two ranges.

Does anyone know if there is something else I could use with the 40% Lactic Acid Peel to neutralize PH?  The bottles are the same size, but if you use the neutralizer both before and after the peel it won't last nearly long enough.

I don't have particularly sensitive skin, but I still play it safe!

[cara4art]

I haven't tried peels for the same reasons anne has, plus one more - reactive skin:( I think about it from time to time, but I'm just too afraid:( It might be yet one more perfectly good anti-aging, skin-improving type of product that I cannot use. Yet at the same time, my skin does not benefit from doing nothing at all, far from it!

[makinalist]

I can understand your hesitation.  Maybe you could get a sample and do a small patch test first.  Only if you really want to try something, of course.

[Mim]

Anne - the peel did not make my skin lighter.  I have fair skin with no sun spots.  I avoid sun and use a mineral makeup that has spf.  If I am going to be out in the sun very much, I do wear heavy duty sunscreen and a hat - but I would do that even without having a peel.

[Hawk Lady]

The reasons I am interested in a peel are:
1.  I want to remove some keritosis like things on my forehead
2.  I would like to even out my skin tone
3.  I would like to remove some of the fine lines I have
4.  I would like to shrink the size of some of my pores

I use an over the counter AHA cream every morning and an over the counter retinol cream every night without any skin reaction but also very little result.  I love this forum.........

[SusieQ]

I think each year, I think about getting a peel since I usually take two weeks on during the Christmas holiday but I get busy and next thing you know, it's back to work.  I, too, would be interested to know your feedback, Lady.

[anne]

Lady, those sound like very realistic aims.

I cannot believe no-one else here has had a peel, just Mim! I would have thought dozens would have put their hand up. Let´s hope there are some brave members who will share their experiences with us.

And, Lady, do find a GOOD derm to do your peel, if you decide to have one! I sometimes read a forum called Makemeheal, I imagine you´d find some references there. You are able to lurk and read without registering. You can also find horror stories there, and discussion about giving yourself Botox injections (!!!) so take with a pinch of salt.

Oh and this is something I would NOT do at home even though I am very happy to try lots of things DIY.

[christinedenice]

I've never had a peel, but have been using Retin-A (Renova or generic equivalent) for about 15 years. This has kept portions of my face, especially around the corners of my mouth and outer eye areas, in a fairly constant state of light peeling. The flakes are easily whisked off each morning with a disposable Buff Puff.

I really think some sort of regular peel is beneficial beyond the cosmetic results. It sweeps away a lot of the "bad" skin cells before they morpf into keratoses, or worse.

Anne, I'm a chicken, too!

[cara4art]

@Mim - if the peel "didn't lighten" your skin, and that you "didn't have sunspots" just what benefits DID you notice from your peel? It sounds like you had perfectly nice skin before. Just curious. Was it really worth all the peeling and redness, etc.? Sometimes, if it ain't broke don't fix it, and I think this can really apply to skin care as well. We're simply BOMBARDED with so many things that we supposedly supposed to use...

[Hawk Lady]

As you all can imagine, I've been researching peels.  It appears that you can't have a peel just once because the benefits fade and you are back to where you started ackkkk!  I think I will try a lighter at home peel from MUAC and if I need to go stronger in steps.  The sample program looks to be convenient.  I appreciate the discussion here.