The best substitute I've ever tried for a chemical peel is the Fresh Appleseed Resurfacing kit. I tried it out at the Fresh store on my left hand when it first came out. My skin was noticeably smoother and less blotchy/red a week later when compared with my untreated right hand.
The best part about this kit is that it's SO gentle. You don't have skin peeling off like you would when you get a chemical peel.
ETA: I just looked at my left hand right now and I may have gone insane, but I can still tell the difference right now...it's been about 5 months since I did the little test.
The best substitute I've ever tried for a chemical peel is the Fresh Appleseed Resurfacing kit. I tried it out at the Fresh store on my left hand when it first came out. My skin was noticeably smoother and less blotchy/red a week later when compared with my untreated right hand.
The best part about this kit is that it's SO gentle. You don't have skin peeling off like you would when you get a chemical peel.
ETA: I just looked at my left hand right now and I may have gone insane, but I can still tell the difference right now...it's been about 5 months since I did the little test.
-- Edited by Lilykind at 17:14, 2006-12-16
wow! that's amazing. I heart Fresh products so I may have to try that out.
I've been using one called Glymagic for about a year now. It's the exact same concentration (30%) as you'd get from a glycolic peel at a spa. It burns a bit as you're using it and your skin does tend to peel a bit for a day or so afterward, but again it's exactly like getting it done at a spa but for about 5% of the cost. I've had great results with it (old acne scars/hyperpigmentation).
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
Elle, was I in the right place? That stuff starts at $5 and doesn't get much more expensive!
-gd
Yup! I got the kit (peel+brush+neutralizer) the first time I bought (I think it's maybe $8?), and then got the peel by itself thereafter. The brush is just a little fan brush, and the neutralizer is just baking soda, so you could easily track down those items yourself and avoid buying the kit altogether.
One small bottle lasts me about 6 months of regular use. My guess is that it would cost many hundreds of dollars to get that many treatments at a spa!
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
Thank you so much. I am going to start trying to do the peels myself. I am noticing a little brown spot on my left cheek that is getting a little larger and I want to nip it in the bud.
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The directions say to do it no more often than once every 7 days, and to do it 6 weeks on/6 weeks off. I do my full face maybe once every 3-4 treatments, and just the 'problem areas' everytime. I've usually not done them quite that often because my skin looks pretty gnarly for a day or two afterward, so I don't like to do it if I know I have plans coming up. If your skin tends to be dry or the air is dry where you live, you might need to do it less often.
If you're not using it for acne managment, I'd definitely keep it to the necessary areas and away from nostrils/around the mouth/chin area at least until you know how your skin reacts.
It does great on skin discolorations though, so your spot will likely be totally gone in 2-3 treatments, Bloomie! I developed a little brown spot on the tip of my nose from too much sun on my honeymoon, and it took it totally away just like that.
-- Edited by Elle at 17:35, 2006-12-18
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
Well, I placed an order and I;'m super excited to try it. I got the 1 oz. 30% kit for myself and my sister, and a 2 oz. 70% bottle for myself too. I have Keratosis Pilaris and I have decided that some of my red bumps/marks are similar to acne marks, and it said that 70% was good for below the neck line. So, we'll see!
Well, I placed an order and I;'m super excited to try it. I got the 1 oz. 30% kit for myself and my sister, and a 2 oz. 70% bottle for myself too. I have Keratosis Pilaris and I have decided that some of my red bumps/marks are similar to acne marks, and it said that 70% was good for below the neck line. So, we'll see!
Thanks for the recommendation Elle!
-gd
Just be very, very careful with this stuff GD! Even the 30% solution is super burny, and below the neck skin would likely react badly if you started out right away with the 70%. I'd do a test patch first with the 30% (below the neck too), and if that doesn't seem to bother your skin too badly use the 30% for everything for your first few weeks. After that if you need something stronger switch up to the 70%. I even end up with crusty/oozy burned areas if I put the 30% on for the full 4 minutes after not using it in awhile .
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
Thanks for the tip, Elle. I don't want to be crusty!
My MIL is an estitician (sp?) and I'm going to have her do the first one. She works from her home and doesn't have the facility to do these treatments for her clients, but I'm going to have her do it to be on the safe side. I plan on mixing the 30 with the 70 after using the 30 and building to the 70 for my bod.