When and How to Use a Glycolic Acid Peel at Home in 12 Simple Steps
Chemical exfoliation is one of the easiest ways to correct various skin conditions including uneven skin tone, sun damage, scarring, blemishes and skin aging. Among the available chemical peels, more people go for glycolic peels, which are milder. Although a chemical peel is a procedure that often takes place in a dermatological clinic or center, you can do a glycolic acid peel at home.
Bear in mind that if you decide to apply glycolic acid yourself, there are certain guidelines that you need to follow to make sure that you will not damage your skin. Try to stick to these guidelines as much as you can to minimize any skin damage and maximize the effectiveness of the glycolic peel.
Let’s start with the basic steps, but be sure to read all the way to the end, so you can avoid the common mistakes people make when doing a DIY glycolic acid peel themselves.
Getting Started with Your DIY Glycolic Peel: 12 Simple Guidelines for First-Time Users
Before you apply the peel on your skin, you should conduct a spot test. All you have to do is apply a bit of your DIY peel on the inside or your arm or your hand. Wait a minute to see if there is any reaction, then wash it off. Wait another 10 minutes after washing it off to make sure there is no allergic reaction.
Once you have done that, follow these steps to do your own glycolic acid face peel:
1. Wash your face with a soap-free cleanser and pat it dry.
2. Apply alcohol all over your face in the same manner that you would apply a toner.
3. Air dry the alcohol and while waiting for it to dry, combine baking soda and water to form a neutralizing solution. You will need this later, so be sure to set it aside.
4. Next, grab some petroleum jelly and apply some to your eyebrows, lips and nostrils.
5. Using a fan brush, apply the solution from the forehead down to the nose and the rest of your face. Be sure to wear gloves during this process. It is normal to feel a burning sensation when the acid touches your skin.
6. Apply one layer evenly but avoid contact with the eyes and be careful not to put too much near the eye, nose, and neck area. You should also avoid where there are acne and breakouts.
7. Allow the peel to sit on your face for about a minute before washing it off with your neutralizing solution. It is normal for your skin to look red and blotchy, but if it is too red, you should apply the neutralizing solution right away. You can either splash the solution on your face or use a soft cloth. Either way, you may experience more discomfort when neutralizing the acid peel.
8. You can neutralize skin again after a minute until you are sure that no more acid peel is left. After that, rinse your face thoroughly with water.
9. Pat the skin dry afterward and apply a generous amount of moisturizer.
10. If you happen to have skin problems such as rosacea using special products such as Skinception Rosacea Relief Serum could be helpful. However, check the product first to make sure that you don’t have allergies to it and it will not cause further skin irritation.
11. If you still have time to spare, use a soothing mask to nourish the skin. When doing peels at home, the evening is the best time to avoid sun exposure.
12. For the next few days, it is advisable to steer clear of direct sun exposure which could damage your sensitive skin.
Now that you know how to do a DIY facial peel at home, it’s time to learn what glycolic acid is and why it can help improve your skin. Be sure to read to the end to get some home peel treatment recipes, too.
A Closer Look at AHAs: Reasons Glycolic Acids Are Not as Harsh as They Sound
Photo by Krestavilis / CC BY-SA
Glycolic acid is a sugar cane derivative that is widely used in skincare. This acid can penetrate into the epidermis. It cannot penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin but it can produce positive results in the topmost skin layer.
The most common cosmetic peels make use of alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs. AHA may take the form of fruit, lactic or glycolic acid. A single AHA treatment may be enough to bring out your skin’s radiance. Depending on the concentration of the acid, you may feel a tingling or stinging sensation on your skin.
Glycolic acid is an AHA which is prized for its exfoliating abilities. Ideal for both men and women of any age, glycolic peels are noninvasive. Procedures involving glycolic acid peeling are so mild, you can wear makeup right after treatment. Using glycolic is the perfect choice for individuals wanting quick recovery time.
Fortunately, you do not have to visit your dermatologist all the time if you want to have regular glycolic peel sessions. You need to observe the necessary precautions, however, to avoid skin damage.
Risks and Rewards: What to Expect After a Glycolic Peel
Why do glycolic peels get so much attention? How does the skin benefit from these peels?
Great skin is the best description for what a glycolic chemical peel can give you. Individuals using glycolic peels may notice that their pores are smaller. The chemical in the peel unclogs pores and removes bacteria in the face to improve overall appearance.
People with acne could also benefit from using a peel since it attacks the skin layer containing bacteria and impurities that could clog the pores and increase breakouts. This way, you gain even complexion and brighter skin.
Since peeling promotes the growth of new skin cells to remove the old ones, it would also be helpful to get a peel to reverse the damaging effects of the sun. By exposing a fresh skin layer, the effect of sun damage would be less visible. Another wonderful effect of glycolic peels involves reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Glycolic peels strengthen the skin’s deeper layers which help soften fine lines on the skin to give it a younger appearance. Having glycolic peels every three to four months is ideal to maintain its anti-aging benefits. With proper application, the results of glycolic acids can last for months.
Although it is milder compared to other chemicals used as peels, glycolic peels may still lead to redness and increased sensitivity among other side effects. After the treatment, there may be peeling or flaking on the area.
Limiting sun exposure is necessary after a chemical peel. Applying sunscreen and wearing protective clothing to avoid exposure of treated area is also wise. Try to avoid cosmetics containing active ingredients such as retinol, dye, glycolic acid, and dye until the area has completely healed. In case of flaking, apply moisturizer on the area and avoid touching it all the time.
Prepping for Your Peel: What You Need to Do Before Exfoliating with Glycolic Acid
Since glycolic peels are mild, doing them every two weeks is acceptable. Setting a schedule every time you need to do a glycolic peel would be great. Keep in mind that even if you can apply a glycolic acid skin peel at home whenever you want, you will see better results when you prepare for these sessions.
A day or two before you do a peel, stay away from soaps containing sodium lauryl sulfate. Acid peels are more effective when you don’t wash your skin with alkaline cleansers.
Depending on how much time it takes you to recover from a peeling session, you might want to schedule some time off. Make sure that you have everything you need for doing the peel.
If this is the first time that you will be doing a glycolic peel, you need to do a spot test first. Using a small patch of skin, apply the peeling solution and leave it for a minute or longer depending on your skin’s reaction. Observe what happens to your skin in the next 24 hours.
If during the spot test, your skin did not have any adverse reactions to the solution, it’s safe to do the same for the rest of your face.
Choosing Your Peel: PH, Concentration, and Other Considerations
If you are new to using home peels, you could have thousands of questions. The biggest one would probably be how to choose the right peel for your skin. Some individuals use commercial solutions while others like to make a glycolic acid peel at home.
When buying a glycolic peel, consider a solution that has a pH level of two to three. It’s best to stick to this range because anything lower would be too acidic for skin and a higher pH is too alkaline. Keep in mind that the skin itself is slightly acidic with a pH level of 5.5.
Another major consideration is the acid’s concentration which must be between 30 to 50 percent. This range is the safest for those who will perform the peel at home. Don’t try to go higher since it would be too acidic and it could damage your skin.
Better yet opt for the lowest concentration, just to be on the safe side.
Glycolic Acid Peel at Home: How to Make a Milder Exfoliating Solution
Glycolic acid comes from sugar cane. Although you can buy a chemical peel solution at a cosmetic shop or drug store, you may want to use materials that are already in your cupboard. For those who love all natural DIY ideas when it comes to skincare, it would be economical to raid your food stores this time.
All you need are a few items from the kitchen to complete your skincare solution, such as:
- A quarter cup of white sugar
- Some fresh lemon juice for creating a paste
Mix sugar and lemon juice in one container until you form a paste. Lemon juice is also another type of AHA which makes it ideal for this purpose. After combining the two, you need to apply the solution directly on your face.
Since your homemade solution is not too acidic, you may use your fingers to massage it into your face. Stick to circular motions while applying the lemon and sugar solution since this could stimulate blood flow. Take care not to include your eyes while massaging the solution into your face and focus on your cheekbones and T-zone.
You can leave the peel on your face for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Pat your face dry afterward. Don’t forget to apply moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out.
Glycolic Acid Peels at Home: What to Expect and How to Take Care of Your Skin
Right after you had a glycolic peel, your skin will be red for the next few hours or days. You may place a cold towel on your face to ease redness.
For the next few days, expect that the top layer of your skin will be drier than usual. Applying moisturizer can do the trick. Do not pick on your skin even if it starts flaking.
For a week, do not exfoliate. If you are doing chemical peels at home, it may not be necessary to exfoliate. Chemical peels are already responsible for getting rid of dead skin cells and the growth of fresh new skin. Exfoliating might cause further skin irritation. At this stage, you should try to avoid the sun as much as you can or else your skin will suffer the consequences.
For the next few days, you need to avoid too much heat and harsh conditions which could damage your skin. If sun exposure is impossible during this period, wearing high SPF sunscreen could be your best protection from sun damage.
Glycolic Acid Peel at Home: Instructions on Increasing Acid Concentration
When it is your first time to have a glycolic peel, you need to start at the lowest concentration. Although there are glycolic acids with higher solutions, it is inadvisable to use them for your first time. It’s more beneficial to increase the concentration gradually.
For the first two to three treatments, stick to a 30 percent glycolic acid. Leave the solution on for a minute. Lengthen the time to three minutes and then to five minutes. Once you are comfortable with leaving the peel on your face for five minutes and you have done it for several treatments, you can proceed to a 40 percent glycolic acid.
If you want to go even higher, allow your skin to get used to a 40 percent solution. Until you are confident about leaving it on your skin for five minutes, you can proceed to use 50 percent acid solution.
It is worth pointing out that a lot of people get great results, even with just a 30 percent acid peel. A lower dose is ideal, as your skin does not undergo so much damage.
Home Chemical Peels: Maintaining Healthy and Young Looking Skin
Chemical peels are not necessarily the option for radiant and younger looking skin. However, no one can say no to a radiant complexion and a bright aura that could last for several days thanks to glycolic peels.
Some individuals shy away from using glycolic peels due to the stinging sensation. If you are a first time user, it pays to know that this is a normal feeling. The benefits of using chemical peels far outweigh the disadvantages, especially with regular peels.
It would take about four chemical peel sessions to see the long term benefits of using acids to get rid of dead skin cells. By this time, the skin’s surface is healthier and more radiant.
For a home chemical peel, you do not want to space the sessions too close or too far. Sticking to a two to the three-week interval between each session may be best. After observing great skin results, you can just schedule glycolic peels once or twice in a month. This will prevent your skin from hypersensitivity which is a consequence of using acids to peel off damaged layers of the skin.
It is always better to err on the side of caution when using glycolic acid peels at home. No matter how radiant your skin looks after a peel, do not increase the concentration right away or do chemical peels more often than recommended. Otherwise, it may cause more harm than good on your skin.
Common Errors and Quick Fixes: DIY Acid Peel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Applying a chemical peel may be a simple process but committing a mistake is still possible. One error that many people who use DIY chemical peels are guilty of is applying too much.
After the initial application, people might think that the peel is not working if it does not sting. Because of this, they often apply a second or third layer. As a result, their skin ends up with a different shade than the rest.
When applying chemical peels always follow instructions even if you think that it is not working. You can save your creativity for cooking food but when it comes to mixing chemical peels, stick to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t try to experiment with your face or else you might end up regretting for the next few weeks.
Another thing is not doing your research. You need to read up on glycolic acid peel at home reviews when trying out a new product. Learn what other users have to say before you decide to buy it.
Having a neutralizing solution on hand is also a must.
Mistakes happen all the time but when you are applying a glycolic peel, you want to eliminate as many errors as you can. Always follow instructions, doing this can spare you from so much heartache.
Doing a glycolic acid peel at home has numerous benefits. However, you need to know how to do it properly and to follow instructions to avoid skin damage.
Since acids are involved, you need to have greater precision when it comes to handling this solution. By observing the necessary precautions and knowing what to do, you can start doing a chemical peel safely even if you are only doing it at home.
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