A diy home glycolic acid peel can be the perfect solution for individuals who want to improve their skin tone and reduce the signs of aging, including wrinkles and fine lines. The most important part of the process is to choose the right peel and ensure that you apply it correctly to avoid any harsh side effects.
In general, peels come in three strengths: superficial, medium depth and deep. The stronger the peel, the further the acid will penetrate into the skin and the harsher the side effects can be. The deepest level of peels, usually done to correct specific issues such as removing freckles or pre-cancerous growths, should only be performed in a doctor’s office.
The milder form of face peels can be performed in the comfort of your own home provided you proceed carefully and read and follow all instructions. This is extremely crucial to help avoid any potential damaging side effects, including redness, swelling and severe flaking or peeling of the skin. But done correctly, a home glycolic acid peel can be perfectly safe and quite effective.
Check out this video to see how to do your diy glycolic acid peel safely.
The strength of the peel you choose will be dictated by what type of results you are looking for and what type of skin you have. Medium depth peels can be used to smooth out fine surface wrinkles, remove superficial blemishes and correct pigment problems. These peels can be used anywhere on the body and are usually preferred for dark skin.
Superficial peels are milder and usually use glycolic, lactic or fruit acids. They are easily tolerated by all skin types, including sensitive skin, and can smooth out rough skin, repair sun damage and help to control acne.
While using a glycolic acid peel is perfectly safe, it is important that you carefully follow the directions to avoid problems. You’ll want to have a solution of ½ cup baking soda and 2 cups water on hand to rinse off the solution and you’ll need a fan brush or gauze pad to apply it.
The first thing you want to do before even doing your peel is to give your face a good wash to get rid of any makeup or sweat and get it nice and fresh for your peel treatment.
Step 1: Start by thoroughly cleansing the skin and then applying rubbing alcohol as a toner.
Step 2: After you let your skin air dry, apply Vaseline to the eyebrows, lips and nostrils to prevent the acid from damaging these highly sensitive areas. Now you are ready to apply the peel, using your gauze pad or fan brush.
Step 3: Apply it quickly and evenly across the face in a single layer, avoiding the eye, lip and neck area. Begin timing as soon as you apply the first stroke and as soon as one minute is up, begin using the baking soda solution to rinse the solution off your face.
Step 4: Once you have thoroughly rinsed your face, gently pat it dry with a clean towel and apply a layer of moisturizer or oil, as skin that has been freshly treated with a peel is primed to absorb all of that healing moisture.
You’ll probably notice some stinging and redness while applying the peel and afterwards but this is normal and should subside after a short amount of time. Your skin will be particularly susceptible to sun damage after applying a peel so be sure to use a sunscreen for several weeks afterwards.
There is really no reason to avoid using a diy glycolic acid peel provided you proceed carefully, choose the right product for your skin type and follow all of the directions on the package. As long as you take all of these precautions, you’ll be able to enjoy brighter, smoother, healthier skin in no time at all!