How to do an at-home glycolic acid peel
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- Make sure I'm a good candidate for an at-home glycolic peel: no open acne or other lesions; skin color that is not prone to hyperpigmentation, able to wear sunscreen; completed allergy test on a sensitive area, such as under the chin, with no reaction; have not used any peeling agents (including my favorite vitamin C and retinol) within 7-10 days, have not shaved in two days the area to be peeled, and can wait an addition 24-48 hours to shave.
- Gather all my supplies: hand towel, peel, peel application brush, petroleum jelly, alcohol, swabs, cotton balls, glass dish, timer, water, moisturizer or copper healing lotion, physical sunscreen (zinc is known for healing too)
- Cleanse hands and face, and gently blot dry
- Go over area with alcohol on cotton ball(s) until it shows no more makeup
- Pore a small amount of the peel into a small glass dish; dilute if necessary
- Apply petroleum jelly around areas that MUST NOT get drips, such as eyes, eyebrows, lips, etc.
- Set the timer: start with 1 minute – by the time I apply the peel to my entire face, it will have been on about 30 seconds when the timer goes off. START with LEAST sensitive areas. This is a good amount of time to start with to make sure my skin can tolerate the peel in those areas that are more sensitive; I can work my way up during subsequent peels (at least one week apart)
- Using the applicator brush, I dip into the dish and apply in this order: forehead, nose, above lip, cheeks, mouth/chin area.
- When the timer rings, rinse with copious amounts of cool water for about 2 minutes.
- Apply the moisturizer or copper healing lotion
- Apply sunscreen if it's still daylight
- I do not use any peeling agents for at least one week. If my skin tolerates the peel well, I can do another in a few weeks if I'm doing a series.
NOTE: Glycolic acid peels make my skin insanely itchy immediately after rinsing. I've found that a fan blowing on my face helps or even ice cubes, but don't scratch!