If you are scouring the internet for answers to your questions about glycolic facial peels, you have come to the right place. Keep reading to find out the answers to many frequently asked questions about glycolic acid. Q: How many uses will I get out of Skin Rx Clinic glycolic acid products? A: This answer will vary based on a few different factors including how often you use the products and what amount is used each time. If you use Skin Rx Clinic glycolic acid products as suggested, a standard 8 oz. supply of glycolic acid should last for about six months, or 25 – 30 peels. Q: Can I use glycolic peels on parts of my body other than my face? A: Yes. Skin Rx Clinic’s professional strength glycolic products are safe for other body parts such as the neck, knees and elbows, legs, hands, feet, and chest area. The best glycolic acid to start with is a 30% glycolic treatment if you plan to use it on other parts of your body. Q: Do you recommend cleansing my face with regular soap before applying the glycolic acid exfoliating products? A: No. Because soap is an alkali, it will almost certainly neutralize any effects of the glycolic treatment. It is best to use a mild facial cleanser such as Skin Rx Clinic’s Arnica Facial Wash. This will ensure you start with a fresh, clean surface with no soap residue left on the skin so that the Glycolic Facial Polish can provide optimal results. Q: What is the reason that I should alternate between facial exfoliating moisturizers & non-exfoliating moisturizers? A: Your facial skin is more sensitive than other parts of your body and therefore needs time to rest and renew its skin cells between glycolic acid exfoliation treatments. Skin Rx Clinic recommends alternating between the Glycolic Facial Polish and the Herbal Moisture Crème. Q: Do glycolic acid exfoliating products produce immediate results? A: After just one glycolic treatment, you are not likely to see any significant results. Even with our professional strength glycolic acid, it takes several uses. Our best advice is to be patient and stick with the glycolic treatment skin regimen to obtain the dramatic results you desire. Q: Does the use of a glycolic acid peel produce skin color changes? A: Glycolic facial peels will not usually change the color of your skin. A glycolic treatment is a light peel which just removes the dead, dull layers of skin cells and unclogs the pores. Glycolic peels can, however, even out your skin tone to make the color of your face more uniform in color overall. Q: Will my face breakout if I use glycolic acid products? A: As you begin to cleanse your skin properly with exfoliating products such as Skin Rx Clinic’s professional strength glycolic acid, you may experience a breakout in the early stages as you start to peel away clogged and dead layers of skin. This is due to hidden debris and bacteria which are now being released onto the skin’s surface. It is important to cleanse and exfoliate and keep up with your glycolic treatments to get rid of all those impurities to get to the beautiful, healthy skin underneath. Q: What are the major differences between glycolic acid facial peels in concentrations of 30%, 40%, and 60%? A: Concentration: Skin Rx Clinic’s 30% glycolic peel contains 30% professional strength glycolic acid. Likewise the 40% glycolic peel contains 40% professional strength glycolic acid. The higher the concentration, the shorter the leave on time will be for your glycolic treatment. Concentrations higher than 40% unbuffered glycolic acid should only be used by skin care professionals or dermatologists. Even with these mild concentrations, we guarantee that if used as recommended, you will achieve significant results due to our high quality ingredients. Q: How long does a chemical peel take? A: Glycolic peels should take no more than 15 minutes total from start to finish. Q: After a chemical peel, how soon can I go back to work? A: In most cases, there is no down time associated with having glycolic facial peels. Work activities can be resumed immediately. Q: Is it painful to get a chemical peel on my face? A: There is no pain associated with glycolic facial peels.  Though you may feel a slight tingling sensation when the glycolic acid is applied to the skin, your face will feel refreshed, calm, and free of discomfort once the peel is neutralized and rinsed away. Q: Am I allowed to go out in the sun after a facial chemical peel? A: You can expose your face to the sun, however, Skin Rx recommends using a quality sunscreen for the first few days after a glycolic acid peel due to increased sensitivity to sun exposure. Q: How often and how many chemical peels do I need to have for best results? A: For best results, Skin Rx Clinic recommends doing a glycolic treatment about every four to six weeks. Glycolic acid peels can be used in combination with glycolic acid exfoliating and moisturizing products which can be used on a daily basis. The short term exposure of a higher concentration of glycolic acid on a periodic basis helps maintain skin health and appearance. Q: How much improvement will I see in deep lines or wrinkles after having a chemical peel? A: Glycolic facial peels do have their limits. A glycolic acid peel will provide improvement in skin’s texture, tone, smoothness and overall appearance but it will not remove deep lines or wrinkles. As long as you have realistic expectations, you will be very happy with the results of a glycolic acid skin care regimen.

True glycolic acid comes from the natural acids of fruit, also called alpha hydroxy acids. As a skin treatment, glycolic acid products are used to renew a person’s skin through peeling old, dead sun-damaged skin cells on the surface. Overall, glycolic acid is the most commonly used form of alpha-hydroxy-acid used for glycolic acid facial peels. There are 5 common fruit acids used for facial peels: citric acid peels (derived from the citrus fruits), lactic acid peels (derived from sour milk, but it’s still considered a fruit acid), glycolic acid peels (derived from sugar cane), malic acid peels (derived from apples), and tartaric acid peels (derived from grapes). Lactic Acid Peels - Lactic acid peels are a derivative of sour milk. Lactic acid is sometimes said to be a more mild chemical peel compared to a glycolic acid peel, though it is similar to how a glycolic facial peel works. People with super sensitive skin, such as those with Rosacea, sometimes prefer to try lactic acid peels first before moving on to glycolic acid products. Citric Acid Peels - Citric acid peels are easy to use, minimally invasive, but take many treatments to see significant improvement on the skin. Malic Acid Peels – Malic acid is used in the same way as a citric acid peel in that it is only mildly invasive and requires several treatments to get significant results. A malic acid peel is also used for acne treatments as it can open pores to allow the sebum to be cleared out which helps reduce blemishes. Tartaric Acid Peels – Tartaric acid is a derivative of grape extract. This type of peel is very similar to all other fruit acid peels and works to improve the skin and reduce acne with repeated treatments over time. Buffered Glycolic Acid - Buffered glycolic acid peels are neutralized to some degree to about a 2.1 on the pH scale. For the home user, a buffered glycolic acid product is considered safer. Unbuffered Glycolic Acid - Unbuffered glycolic acid peels have a lower pH and are known to be more aggressively and to produce faster results when applied to the skin. Unbuffered glycolic acid products should only be applied by a skin care professional or dermatologist for best results. Alpha-hydroxy-acids including the lactic acid, fruit acids, and glycolic acid, are a safe alternative to chemical peels which home users can use to obtain smoother, younger-looking and more even colored skin for those who do not want to or can not afford to get a peel from a physician or dermatologist. AHA facial peels can treat and improve the appearance of fine wrinkles, dryness, uneven skin color, and also acne. Different concentrations of an alpha-hydroxy-acid peel can be applied at regular intervals to achieve significant results. Skin Rx Clinic offers the very best glycolic acid products with high quality ingredients formulated to give home users the same results that can be achieved from a doctor strength glycolic peel. Skin Rx Clinic has 15% Glycolic Acid, 30% Glycolic Acid, and 40% Glycolic Acid products and a variety of Glycolic Peel Kits for beginners and experienced glycolic facial peel users alike.

Glycolic acid peels are often used by people who want to improve their skin's appearance and overall condition. Glycolic acid renews the skin by removing old skin cells from the surface and allowing new skin to regenerate. Glycolic peels can also be used to help clear up acne by removing debris from clogged pores and to reduce hyper-pigmentation of the skin. Glycolic acid peels are often performed at spas but can become quite expensive after repeated treatments. Fortunately, a glycolic acid home peel can be easily purchased online and are now readily available. Glycolic acid home peels are much more affordable for the average person. As a precaution, anyone who will be performing a glycolic acid peel at home should be sure to perform a skin patch test beforehand to ensure no allergies to the product exist. Step 1: Wash Your Face With a mild cleanser, wash your entire face where the glycolic facial peel will be applied. Rinse thoroughly to remove all of the cleanser and then gently pat your face dry with a towel. Before applying any glycolic treatment to your face, you need to make sure you start with a clean surface to ensure the product penetrates the skin evenly. Step 2: Apply a Toner Apply a toner to your skin with a cotton pad or cotton ball and allow it to dry on your skin. This extra step will wipe away any dirt or residue which may have been left after cleansing your face. Do not rinse the toner off, as it contains ingredients to refresh and calm your skin before you apply your glycolic facial peel. Step 3: Apply Glycolic Acid with Applicator Brush Preferably using the applicator brush in the Glycolic Peel Kit, apply an even coat of the glycolic treatment to your face. Leave the peel on your face for the recommended time - no more and no less. Leaving glycolic acid products on your skin for too long can damage your skin and not leaving it on long enough will not produce the desired results. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Step 4: Rinse and Wash Rinse the glycolic peel treatment off of your face thoroughly, and then apply a mild cleanser. Wash your face gently to ensure the glycolic facial peel is completely washed away from the skin so that irritation does not occur from any residue. Special Tips When applying a glycolic acid peel, keep the product about one quarter-inch away from the eye area and mucus membranes. If your skin becomes irritated after glycolic acid products are applied, immediately rinse your skin and consult with your personal doctor. Do not attempt to use glycolic peels on any open wounds or otherwise irritated or highly sensitive skin. Avoid being exposed to the sun for at least one full day after applying the glycolic treatment. Additionally, do not apply a glycolic facial peel to skin that has been shaved within 24 hours. When using a peel, it is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation but if it hurts too much or is extremely uncomfortable, rinse it off immediately. Your skin might be a bit red after using glycolic acid products, however, the redness will gradually fade away as your skin calms. Before you buy glycolic acid for home use, be sure to purchase from a reputable source that only sells high quality skin care products.

40% Glycolic Peels are great for people who have either used 30% Glycolic Peels several times and wish for more dramatic results or for those who have mature skin, over the age of 35. A chemical peel has many benefits, but you should know what to expect beforehand. Having realistic expectations will ensure you are happy with the results. When using Glycolic Acid for your skin, you can expect to see an improvement in the way your skin care products penetrate and work on your skin overall. As you exfoliate the top layer of your skin, you will notice that your topical products penetrate more deeply and evenly and produce a better result as they are able to get deeper into the derma.   You can also expect with a 40% Glycolic Peel to see a reduced appearance of mild scars. The scars will not completely disappear, but they will fade and be less noticeable. A 40% Glycolic Peel is an effective treatment for removing stubborn blackheads that have otherwise not gone away with other methods. If your face is holding a lot of blackheads which makes your pores very noticeable, the removal of these blackheads may help your pores to appear less pronounced. As for sun damage and wrinkles, a 40% peel is a good choice. The treatments will be able to correct much of the sun damage and reduce the depth and appearance of some wrinkles for a younger look. If you plan to continue exposing your face to the sun however, glycolic acid peels are not a good choice for you as you will be at an increased risk of sun damage. You must protect your new layer of skin with sun protection products. Keep in mind that using Glycolic Peels is a process. While one treatment will result in some improvement to your skin, you can’t expect a miracle overnight. Expect to repeat the process about six to eight times for optimal results. If you are ready for a 40% peel, Skin Rx recommends the following complete kit: Glycolic Peel Kit #3 – Includes Pre-Peel Prep, 40% Peel, an Applicator Brush and a Dispenser Dish.

Glycolic acid is a very commonly used active ingredient in facial chemical peels. Glycolic acid works well on nearly all skin types to boost skin cell turnover, improve elasticity, reduce the appearance of scars, and to restore natural moisturizing properties within skin cells. Using a glycolic acid peel should not be taken lightly, however. Your skin needs to be prepared for such a treatment with a skin care regimen of products such as Retin A, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, or other similar treatments. Glycolic Acid peels work well as effective anti-aging treatments, scar minimizing treatments, and even acne treatments, or to just rejuvenate the skin from time to time. You may have already heard that exfoliation of the skin on a regular basis is necessary to promote new skin cell regeneration, especially since this natural process begins to slow down as we age. In order for your skin to continue to renew however, exfoliation alone will not do the trick. After you have prepared your skin properly, you can use a 30% glycolic acid peel for these purposes. For sensitive to normal skin, a concentration of 30% is recommended until your skin acclimated to this ingredient at which time you may be able to graduate to a higher concentration to yield more dramatic results. If you are thinking about trying a Glycolic Peel at home, Skin Rx recommends trying the Glycolic Peel Kit #1, which is a professional strength peel kit that comes with everything you need including a Pre-Peel Prep, the Peel, an Applicator Brush, and a Dispensing Dish.

Q: I want to improve the firmness of my skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Are there any products which give immediate results? A:If you are looking for immediate results, a proven ingredient to look for is Matrixyl.

The pores you have are important to the health of your skin as they work to provide oil in order to keep your skin soft, hydrated, and supple. Not that you want to be reminded of them each time you look at yourself in the mirror, especially if you have large, visible pores that you hate to look at. Your pores can appear larger when they are clogged with oil and dirt or bacteria, so it is important to keep your skin clean and use the right products to keep your pores from getting clogged in the first place. Blackheads are a major factor to large pores. If your pores get clogged with dirt and bacteria, the oil inside the pores will start to build up, causing the pores to expand in diameter. What Else Causes Visible Pores? Besides your pores being clogged, there are two other things which can mean visible pores: age and genes. Those who have naturally oily, thick skin are the ones who tend to get stuck with large pores. That is all genetics and there’s nothing you can do about that! Also, as we age, damage from the sun as well as a natural decrease in the skin’s elasticity can cause pores to open up or dilate. The skin then begins to thicken, causing the tiny skin cells to build up around the edges of our pores which ultimately makes them appear larger.

Can Pores Really Shrink? Sorry but no – there is no magic trick that will permanently shrink large pores. Fortunately, though, the appearance of visible pores can be significantly reduced in a variety of ways. Just by cleansing your face of dirt, bacteria, and excess oil will greatly reduce their appearance. Exfoliation is another method to minimize the prominence of large pores. You can do this by using an at-home microdermabrasion treatment. Microdermabrasion works to gently scrub off the dead visible layers of the facial skin to reveal softer, smoother, and healthier skin below. Skin Rx recommends Microdermabrasion Peel Kit #1 – A unique combination of microdermabrasion crystals and glycolic acid in one which is a great solution to visible pores.

What is Melasma? Melasma is a skin disorder which can affect both men and women; however it is more common for women to have the condition. It is often seen on women during pregnancy and is sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy”. It appears on the face as a skin rash which is darker in color than the rest of the skin and has irregular borders. Melasma usually looks like a symmetrical pattern on the cheeks, nose, lips, and/or forehead. It may also appear on the upper arms. The skin darkening can be greatly varied in color. Melasma has been seen in all ethnicities and cultures but it is much more common in Arabs, Hispanics, Asians and North Africans or in those who have higher levels of melanin in their skin. People with fair skin may also experience melasma, albeit a lighter shade which is not always easy to spot. Alternatives to Laser Skin Resurfacing Microdermabrasion Microdermabrasion is a common and effective treatment option for melasma. Microdermabrasion is a good option for you if:

• You are looking for a treatment which involves no down-time
• You prefer a treatment which is minimally-invasive
• You are seeking an option for melasma with little to no side effects

Microdermabrasion works by sanding the outer skin layers off in order to remove dead skin cells. This process renews the skin’s texture and pigmentation. It works by using tiny crystals (or other abrasive substance) which are applied onto the skin’s surface with a special tool. The crystals are removed, and immediately the skin’s appearance is improved. Since microdermabrasion treats only the top layers of skin, there is hardly any risk involved and little to no side effects at all. Microdermabrasion can be done in the comfort and privacy of your own home whenever you have free time. Skin Rx recommends Microdermabrasion Kit #4. Skin Lightening Cream Skin lightening creams work to lighten skin by decreasing the production of melanin pigment granules at different stages while also breaking down the melanin already present. Hydroquinone is the active ingredient in most skin lightening creams and can be purchased without a prescription at up to 2% concentration. This highly effective treatment for melasma is inexpensive, non-invasive, and typically has no side effects. If you want to try a skin lightening cream to treat your melasma, try Skin Rx’s Skin Lightener. If you are not ready for a laser skin treatment and want to try real alternatives with proven results, microdermabrasion or skin lightening creams may be right for you.

Whether mild or severe, Keratosis Pilaris is not a pleasant thing to deal with. Maybe you didn’t even realize you had an actual “skin condition” and just thought it was dry skin or ingrown hairs. The fact is, Keratosis Pilaris is somewhat of a mystery to many people who have it. It’s not a serious medical condition, and for most people, Keratosis Pilaris often resolves itself eventually. While you have it though, it can make you feel self-conscience about the appearance and texture of your skin. What is Keratosis Pilaris? According to The Mayo Clinic, Keratosis Pilaris is “a common skin condition that causes rough patches and small, acne-like bumps, usually on the arms and thighs.” The condition is often difficult to treat and is caused by the build-up of keratin which blocks hair follicles. Dry skin can exacerbate the problem. People with Keratosis Pilaris will notice small bumps that may appear like acne, rough patches, and skin-colored bumps which are generally painless. Treatment Skin Rx offers several products to help treat Keratosis Pilaris. With a bit of extra care in your daily skin care routine, you can smooth and soothe your skin. Microdermabrasion Peel Kit #1 – The microdermabrasion peel is a great treatment for Keratosis Pilaris as it exfoliates and smoothes the skin to balance out the uneven texture. Skin Recovery Crème – This non-greasy moisturizer is made to heal and repair sensitive skin and is free from oils, perfumes, and dyes.

Yes, ingrown hairs can be VERY itchy….No, it is not okay to reach into your bikini bottoms to scratch them out in public!! An ingrown hair is one that grows out into surrounding skin instead of directly through the hair follicle. Ingrown hairs irritate the skin, which creates papules (also called razor bumps). Because we want our readers to know how to prevent ingrown hairs and the embarrassing scenario pictured above, we are posting these useful tips: Exfoliate! Ingrown hairs can be easily prevented with regular exfoliation. Exfoliating sloughs off any dead skin cells and opens your pores. This allows the hair to exit the skin cleanly without curling back in. Shave Properly! You should be shaving in the direction your hair grows – not against it. Also, don’t use too much pressure, let the razor do the work. Try not to shave over the same spot repeatedly, either. Lastly, invest in a good razor. Dollar store disposables are no good! Moisturize! Daily moisturizing of the skin is a MUST in order to prevent ingrown hairs. Cleansing and proper moisturizing keep the skin supple and smooth which helps the hair grow in the right direction. Be sure to use a moisturizer that will not clog the pores. For ingrown hairs, Skin Rx recommends the following products for treatment and prevention: Tweeze Kit #4 – Includes pointed tweezers, Brow Fix Gel, and PFB Vanish roll-on gel. Herbal Moisture Crème – An intense moisturizer that lasts all day.