Scroll down to read all Frequently Asked Questions, or click on a question below for the answer.
Lower strength Glycolic Acid (8% or lower) does not go deep enough into the skin to actually penetrate into the bloodstream, so is supposedly poses no risk to a fetus.
However, since the stronger glycolic acids (stronger than 8%) do penetrate deeper into the skin, I advise against using while pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or while lactating. Although it has not been proven, theoretically I think it could be possible for some glycolic acid to penetrate into the bloodstream and reach the baby. Some Doctors say it is OK to use, but some say not to use it while pregnant. We advise not to use while pregnant.
Although Glycolic Acid is simply a fruit acid, and theoretically should do no harm even if it does reach the blood stream, we would rather play it safe and not use at all while pregnant or nursing.
I have not heard one report of a problem with using Glycolic Acid while pregnant though.
Products you can use while pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or while lactating:
Do not use Salicylic Acid products stronger than 2%Return to Top of Page
I have not received my package yet. How do I track my package?
Please read the following important information regarding shipment of packages.
Occasionally, a package may be lost or delivered to the wrong address by mistake.
If you have not received your package within the delivery times listed below, please E-mail us at:mail@homepeels.comso that we can check on your package for you.
We have no way of knowing if there is a shipping problem with your package unless you E-mail us to let us know.
Usually, we can file a claim with the Shipping Company and send a replacement package to you.
Please do not assume that we have not sent your package. We send all packages within 24-48 hours if all items ordered are in stock.
Contact us at mail@homepeels.comto let us know if you have not received your package within the normal delivery times listed.
Please do not call our phone ordering line and leave a message. Messages left at that phone number will not reach us. The phone ordering line rings to an order fulfillment warehouse and we will not receive your message.
For orders going to the Continental US, please allow up to 10 business days for your package to arrive before assuming it is lost.
For orders going to Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, other US Territories, Military Addresses; Please allow at least 14 business days before assuming the package is lost.
Orders going Overseas usually take 2 weeks, but can take up to 8 weeks or more to arrive due to Customs delays and other delays beyond our control.
A business day is defined as Monday through Friday, excluding Holidays.
If you have not received your package within these delivery times, please E-mail us at:mail@homepeels.comto let us know.
Orders placed for delivery within the United States are usually processed and mailed within 24-48 hours of receipt (Monday-Friday).
Most orders placed for delivery within the Continental United States are shipped via FedEx** (however, another carrier may be used) and should arrive within approximately 2-7 business days AFTER being processed and mailed, unless another shipping method was selected (such as Overnight or 2-Day shipping).
Orders going to the Continental United States are sent via FedEx. You should have received an E-mail from FedEx with a tracking number for your package and an estimated delivery date. Using your FedEx tracking number, orders can be tracked at the FedEx web site at:www.fedex.com
If you have selected Overnight or 2-Day as your shipping option:
2-Day and Overnight shipping are processed and delivered on Business days only. This means normal business days of Monday through Friday, excluding Holidays.
Orders placed after 12 Noon Eastern Time are processed and shipped the next business day.
FedEx Standard Overnight delivers the next business day (Monday-Friday) by 3 PM to areas where Overnight shipping is available.
FedEx 2-Day delivers the second business day by 4:30 PM where available.
A signature is usually required for Express Shipping (Overnight and 2-Day), so please be prepared to be available on delivery day to sign for your package. If you will be at work during delivery hours, you might want to ship to your work address where you can accept your package and sign for it.
**FedEx does not deliver to PO Boxes and Military addresses. Orders sent to PO Boxes, Military Bases (AP & APO addresses), Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and US Territories will be sent via US Post Office. Please allow an average of 5-14 business days for these orders to arrive. Tracking information for orders sent via US Post Office is not available.
Attention International Orders: International Orders are usually shipped via US Post Office and usually arrive within 2-3 weeks, depending on the country. However, delays beyond our control can occur (such as customs delays). Please allow up to 8 weeks for delivery of International orders to certain countries. Tracking information for orders sent via US Post Office is not available.
If you used your credit card for this purchase, it will appear on your credit card statement as "Skin Care".
Orders cannot be cancelled or refunded due to misdirected or lost packages. This type of situation is beyond our control and has to be resolved with the shipping company.
Ownership of the Product/Order passes to you upon delivery to the carrier (Post Office or Shipping Company) and risk of loss and breakage passes to you upon delivery of your Product/Order to the carrier. We have no control over the shipper/carrier. Perri Skin Care will not replace lost or misdirected packages or be responsible for breakage unless a successful claim can be filed with the carrier to replace the package.
Shipping fees are not refundable for lost, misdirected, or late arriving packages.
The cost of the order including shipping charges is not refundable due to lost, misdirected, unclaimed, or late arriving packages.
The costs of shipping and handling will be shown on your purchase receipt or invoice. Perri Skin Care will not be responsible for delays in delivery due to events beyond its control, including shortage of materials, labor strikes, transportation failures, Customs delays, or acts of God.
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I have combination skin in the winter and oily skin in the summer. I do not necessarily have acne, but I have a lot of blackheads. Can you please recommend a regimen for me?
So many people have this combination skin type! Fortunately, there are products that can keep your skin looking good all year!
The first thing I recommend is a cleanser that is really good for blackheads - The GlyMed Serious Action Salicylic Acid Cleanser.
The special deep cleaning micro beads help to loosen and lift out blackheads and other impurities clogging the pores. 2.5% Salicylic Acid is physician strength! Over the counter products contain only 1-2% Salicylic Acid.
Secondly, use a nightly treatment product with Salicylic Acid. We have one which is a 2% Salicylic Acid gel called:
Exfol Serum - 2% Salicylic Acid.
It is located on our Web site at:
Acne Products
This is simply a Salicylic Acid gel. We also have a Salicylic Acid Gel combined with Copper Peptide Serum: Super CP Serum with 2% Salicylic Acid
It is located on our Web site at:
Acne Products
Combining both products will give the fastest and most complete results and really smooths the skin and helps pores look smaller. The Salicylic Acid increases cell turnover and exfoliates the top layer of skin cells as well as deep cleans the pores preventing and removing blackheads and future breakouts. The Copper Peptide actually removes the damaged proteins from the skin and stimulates new collagen and elastin deep in the skin to replace the damaged collagen. This makes the skin look smoother and tighter and the pores will look smaller.
Another really great product for controlling and soaking up oil throughout the daytime and keeping blackheads and blemishes under control is our Blemish Control Gel, with micro-sponge oils absorption. This is a product to be used during the day to keep pores unclogged and gives the skin a matte finish that lasts for hours. It is located on our Web site at:
Acne Products
We have lot's of other products for acne and oily skin, including oil-free moisturizers on our acne page at:
Acne Products
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What purpose does alcohol have as an ingredient in skin care products? Is alcohol drying to the skin?
ALCOHOL FREE
For many years cosmetic manufacturers have marketed certain cosmetic products that do not contain ethyl alcohol (also known as ethanol, or grain alcohol) as "alcohol free."
Some consumers select "alcohol free" products because they believe ethyl alcohol dries out their skin or hair.
However, "alcohols" are a large and diverse family of chemicals, with different names and a variety of effects on the skin. This can lead to some confusion among consumers when they check the ingredient listings on cosmetic labels to determine alcohol content.
In cosmetic labeling, the term "alcohol," used by itself, refers to ethyl alcohol. Cosmetic products, including those labeled "alcohol free," may contain other alcohols, such as cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl, or lanolin alcohol. These are known as fatty alcohols, and their effects on the skin are quite different from those of ethyl alcohol.
Isopropyl alcohol, which some consumers may think of as drying the skin, is rarely used in cosmetics. It is used in our Skin Prep Toner however. The purpose is for prepping the skin for a peel which involves deep cleaning and oil removal on the surface of the skin.
To prevent the ethyl alcohol in a cosmetic from being diverted illegally for use as an alcoholic beverage, it may be "denatured." This means that it contains an added "denaturant" that makes it undrinkable.
Denatured ethyl alcohol may appear in the ingredient listing under several different names. You may see the abbreviation SD Alcohol (which stands for "specially denatured alcohol"), followed by a number or a number-letter combination that indicates how the alcohol was denatured, according to the formulary of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF). Among the specially denatured alcohols acceptable for use in various cosmetics are SD Alcohol 23-A, SD Alcohol 40, and SD Alcohol 40-B.
The term "Alcohol Denat." was introduced in Europe as a generic term for denatured alcohol in the interest of harmonizing ingredient names internationally. It frequently appears on products that are marketed both in the U.S. and abroad. You also may see a dual declaration, such as "SD Alcohol-40 (Alcohol Denat.)."
My skin is extremely oily. Do you have anything that will keep my skin looking matte and shine-free throughout the day?
A really great product for controlling and soaking up oil throughout the daytime and keeping blackheads and blemishes under control is our Blemish Control Gel, with micro-sponge oils absorption. This is a product to be used during the day to keep pores unclogged and gives the skin a matte finish that lasts for hours. It is located on our Web site at:
Acne Products
We have lot's of other products for acne and oily skin, including oil-free moisturizers on our acne page at:
Acne Products
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Will my skin show visible peeling when using the Glycolic Acid Peels? Will I have to hide out for a few days? Will my skin be red?
When using the Glycolic Acid Peels, you do not actually see visible peeling. However, several layers of skin are being lifted up and sloughed off.
That is why the Doctor's offices call this type of peel a "lunchtime peel" because you can get it done during your lunch hour and go back to work looking the same. The results start to show a couple of days later when the skin is stimulating newer, fresher cells to push to the surface. Plus, with regular use, the peeling action also stimulates new layers of collagen and elastin deep in the skin to smooth and tighten the skin on the surface.
If the peel is doing its job correctly, it should not leave any skin cells on the surface. Incomplete peeling or too rapid of a peeling is what causes the skin flakes and peeliness on the surface. When you peel up and dissolve several layers of skin on the surface, there should be no visible skin flakes left over, just smoother skin.
There may be some redness for a few hours after doing a peel. This is normal though and the redness should fade within a few hours. If the redness persists, try cutting the timing of the peel application down or discontinue use and consult a physician.
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Your Web site states that a ph below 2.5 can cause skin damage. Another website states that they have the best quality glycolic acid peels with a pH of 1.9. Can you explain to me why I would be better off and safer to use your products? Also, does the skin need a special soothing solution after a peel?
Our peels are formulated by a physician, and it has been determined that the proper pH for a peel should be between 2.5-3.0 for the most effective (UL)and(/UL) safe peel.
For this reason, we only sell peels with the proper level of pH. Lower pH levels mean more acid, but more acid does not make a more effective peel. More acid strips the skin and causes an imbalance of the skin natural acid barrier, which in turn damages skin instead of stimulating the skin to rejuvenate itself.
There has to be a balance of the pH with the skin to actually get the best results. Others are selling low pH peels to uninformed consumers thinking that the lower pH makes it sound like a stronger or better peel. They do this to make money and sell to people who think that more acid means a better product. This kind of advertising is not only irresponsible but dangerous.
Obviously, we could have peels made with a lower pH or with a higher strength of glycolic acid, such as 50% or above. We could do the same thing as some of the other companies in order to make money, but we are more interested in creating and selling a safe and effective product and educating our customers on the proper and most effective way to rejuvenate and maintain their skin. We are first and foremost concerned with our customers improving their skin and with the safety of our products.
Normal skin is pH 4.5 to 5.5, meaning it is moderately acidic. The pH of the skin certainly differs throughout different parts of the body. If something comes into contact with the skin that is either too acidic or too alkaline, the skin's natural protective barrier (the acid mantle) is affected. Barrier recovery is slowed, damage is prolonged, and skin problems will arise, such as skin peeling, rashes, irritation, etc. Average pH of the skin is different for everyone because not everyone’s skin is exposed to the same conditions such as weather and harsh detergents.
Most good skin care products are formulated for the skin with a pH that falls within a range that should not affect your skin adversely. Your skin will usually normalize itself within a couple of minutes to a couple of hours after using such products. pH-neutral is 7. This is the pH of pure or distilled water. A product with a pH of 7 will not affect the pH of the skin at all! Most skin care products fall within a range that allows them to affect the skin slightly to achieve the desired affects of the product without irritating the skin or not allowing it to normalize within a short period of time.
That is why we stress using Glycolic Acid peels falling within the pH range of 2.5-3.0! There are some Glycolic Peels and other products on the market with a very low (acidic pH) and these products are actually doing more harm to the skin than helping it!
For soothing the skin after a peel, first, rinse the skin thoroughly with cool water and apply a moisturizer. A lot of people like to apply the Cucumber Ice Sorbet Mask after a peel to soothe the skin and minimize any mild inflammation, but a simple moisturizer is just fine to use too. The Cucumber Ice Sorbet Mask contains a small amount of Salicylic Acid, which acts as an anti-inflammatory on the skin, calming down the inflammation and speeding healing of the skin. Salicylic Acid is a component in Aspirin, so it is like using an Aspirin on your skin after a peel.
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I have dark skin. What products are safe to use for dark skinned people?
Any of the Enzyme products are great to use on darker skin types. The Fruit Enzyme Peel, the Enzyme Soft Mask, and the Pineapple Scrub are customer favorites.
The lower strength Glycolic Acid Treatment products are great for darker skin. I don't know if you have used any Glycolic Acid products before, but our 15% Glycolic Acid Treatment Gel is a good product to start with. You would use it every night.
A lot of people like to combine a Glycolic Acid product with the Copper Peptide product. Copper Peptide actually removes damaged proteins in the skin to repair and rejuvenate the skin, plus it builds a new layer of collagen and elastin deep in the skin to tighten and smooth the skin. This combination of Glycolic Acid and Copper Peptide will help the facial skin with the spots, lines and so forth, as well as help with stretch marks.
The Copper Peptide product I suggest for you is the CP Serum. It is an oil-free serum.
Combining both products will give the fastest and most complete results. The Glycolic Acid increases cell turnover and exfoliates the top layer of skin cells as well as stimulates new collagen production deep in the skin.
The Copper Peptide actually removes the damaged proteins from the skin and stimulates new collagen and elastin deep in the skin to replace the damaged collagen.
The use of both products will treat your facial skin as well as treat stretch marks from deep in the skin and smooth the surface of the skin.
Use both products together. Simply mix a pea size amount of each product together and apply to affected area nightly. The skin will start to remodel within a couple of weeks and continue to improve over the next several months.
The Copper Peptide Serum is located on our Web site at:
Copper Peptide ProductsThe Glycolic Acid Gel is located on our Web site at:
Glycolic Acid Products
The CP Serum can be used by those with sensitive skin. The 15% Glycolic Acid Gel can be a little harsh for those with sensitive skin. If you have super-sensitive skin, you might want to try the Exfol Serum instead. Like the Glycolic Acid, it is an exfoliant, but the active ingredient is Salicylic Acid, which is more gentle on the skin than Glycolic Acid.
It is located on the Web site at:
Copper Peptide Products
For evening out the skin tone, another great product we suggest is the GlyMed Derma Pigment Skin Brightener. It is a skin brightening gel which does not contain any hydroquinone, and evens out skin tone and reduces the spots really fast!
It contains a unique complex of Glycolic Acid, Kojic Acid, Phytic Acid, and Citric Acid to provide powerful skin lightening for visibly noticeable results within 30 days. Time release liposomes transport the active ingredients to the cells below to protect and work from the inside.
It is located on our Web site at:
Skin Lighteners
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What are the best products to get rid of stretch marks? What is the fastest way to get rid of stretch marks?
The best and fastest strategy for reducing Stretch Marks is a combination of a high strength Glycolic Acid Product, such as the 30% Glycolic Acid Peel, or the 30% Glycolic Acid Cream, combined with a Copper Peptide Product, such as the CP TriReduction with Retinol.
Combining both products will give the fastest and most complete results. The Glycolic Acid increases cell turnover and exfoliates the top layer of skin cells as well as stimulates new collagen production deep in the skin.
The Copper Peptide actually removes the damaged proteins from the skin and stimulates new collagen and elastin deep in the skin to replace the damaged collagen.
The use of both products will treat your stretch marks from deep in the skin as well as smooth the surface of the skin.
Combine the 30% GlyMed Physician Elite Treatment Cream with to be used nightly along with the Copper Peptide TriReduction with Retinol Cream. This is my favorite combo of product to attack stretch marks.
Simply mix a pea size amount of each product together and apply to affected area nightly. The skin will start to remodel within a couple of weeks and continue to improve over the next several months.
Both Products are located on our Stretch Mark page on our Web site at:
Stretch Mark Products
The 30% Glycolic Cream is formulated to stay on the skin all night without burning the skin, and can be used by first timers who do not have sensitive skin.
The peels are different. They stay on the skin for must a couple of minutes and then have to be rinsed off. Those who want to use the peels have to prep their skin first for a few weeks with a 15% Glycolic Acid product.
This is truly your best bet for stretch marks!
You can use the TriReduction on the face as well, but it is better to use a Copper Peptide product formulated for the face such as the Protect & Restore Classic (use this one if your skin is normal to dry), or the CP Serum (use this one if your skin is normal to oily).
The Copper Peptide Protect & Restore and CP Serum are located on the Web site at:
Copper Peptide Products
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My skin has lots of Sun Damage. Is there anything that can make my skin look better?
For sun damaged skin, and for aging skin, the best strategy is to combine a Glycolic Acid product with a Copper Peptide product.
The best products for your situation would be a nightly Glycolic Acid product, such as the 15% Glycolic Cream (or Gel if you prefer the oil-free version), combined with the Copper Peptide product called Protect & Restore with Retinol, or use the CP Serum if you prefer an Oil-Free version. Simply mix a small amount of each together and apply nightly to the skin.
So, try using just the 15% Glycolic Acid Cream or Gel combines with the Protect & Restore Classic or CP Serum every night for a few weeks, and later, if you want to boost your results, add a 30% Glycolic Acid Peel once a week to your skin care routine.
Also, apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 every day!
If you find that your skin is getting dry or flaky, cut the Glycolic Acid Treatment product use down to every other night.
I like to combine a Copper Peptide product with Glycolic Acid because the Glycolic Acid works on the surface of the skin to exfoliate a layer of dead skin cells as well as speed cell turnover. It also stimulates collagen production deep in the skin for firmer, smoother skin. This will help with the look of the large pores as well.
The Copper Peptide actually removes damaged proteins from the skin to repair daily sun damage and the effects of aging, and stimulates new collagen and elastin production deep in the skin to firm and smooth the skin from the inside out!
So, the combination of Copper Peptide and Glycolic Acid is just about the best skin care routine around for rejuvenating and maintaining your skin!
The Copper Peptide Protect & Restore is located on the Web site at:
Copper Peptide Products
The 15% Glycolic Acid Cream or Gel are located at:
Glycolic Acid Products
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What do you recommend for thinning hair/hair loss? My hair has been shedding a lot lately.
How much can regain the hair loss really depends on the cause of the hair loss.
Sometimes stress or hormone changes can cause hair loss, and loss from these causes can usually be recovered. Dyeing the hair excessively can cause hair loss as well, and this type of hair damage and loss can also be recovered.
The best products to use are the Copper Peptide Shampoo and Conditioner, and the Folligen Lotion.
A lot of people have had success using just the Shampoo and Conditioner, but for hair loss that is major, it is good to also use the Folligen Cream at night and shampoo it out in the morning with the Copper Peptide Shampoo.
It takes 4-6 months to really see the new growth starting to come in, but it is worth the wait!
So, if the hair loss is mild to moderate, try using just the shampoo and conditioner, and lengthen the time between hair dye touchups.
For more severe hair loss, like you can see patches of bare scalp, use the shampoo and conditioner but also use the Folligen Lotion daily.
For more information on hair loss and hair growth, please go to our Hair Loss/Growth page.
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What can you recommend for aging skin? Especially wrinkles and loss of firmness?
For aging skin, and sun damaged skin, the best strategy is to combine a Glycolic Acid product with a Copper Peptide product.
The best products for your situation would be a nightly Glycolic Acid product, such as the 15% Glycolic Cream (or Gel if you prefer the oil-free version), combined with the Copper Peptide product called Protect & Restore with Retinol, or use the CP Serum if you prefer an Oil-Free version. Simply mix a small amount of each together and apply nightly to the skin.
So, try using just the 15% Glycolic Acid Cream or Gel combines with the Protect & Restore Classic or CP Serum every night for a few weeks, and later, if you want to boost your results, add a 30% Glycolic Acid Peel once a week to your skin care routine.
Also, apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 every day!
If you find that your skin is getting dry or flaky, cut the Glycolic Acid Treatment product use down to every other night.
I like to combine a Copper Peptide product with Glycolic Acid because the Glycolic Acid works on the surface of the skin to exfoliate a layer of dead skin cells as well as speed cell turnover. It also stimulates collagen production deep in the skin for firmer, smoother skin. This will help with the look of large pores as well.
The Copper Peptide actually removes damaged proteins from the skin to repair daily sun damage and the effects of aging, and stimulates new collagen and elastin production deep in the skin to firm and smooth the skin from the inside out!
So, the combination of Copper Peptide and Glycolic Acid is just about the best skin care routine around for rejuvenating and maintaining your skin!
The Copper Peptide Protect & Restore is located on the Web site at:
Copper Peptide Products
The 15% Glycolic Acid Cream or Gel are located at:
Glycolic Acid Products
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I have fine lines, bags, and circles under my eyes. What can I use on the eye area?
For the eyes, the most effective product we have the CP Night Eyes. It is a Copper Peptide product. This is a very strong product so you just need to use a small amount. The CP Protect & Restore Classic can also be used around the eyes and is less harsh than the Night Eyes.
My other favorite for the eye area is the GlyMed Eye Calm. Eye Calm gently tightens and firms around the eyes with Alpha Lipoic Acid, a wrinkle-reducing, anti-inflammatory agent.
Both are located on the Web site at:
Just for Eyes Page
Do not use peels or strong Glycolic Acid products on the eye area. We have an 8% Glycolic Acid eye and skin cream that is formulated for the eye area, but anything stronger than 8% is not recommended.
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I have bad cellulite on my thighs and butt. I want to wear shorts and a bathing suit this summer. Do you have anything for cellulite?
Yes, we have a Cellulite Cream and a Cellulite Serum. They are located on our Bath and Body page located on our Web site at:
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Can I use both microdermabrasion and an acid skin peel?
Yes, you need to alternate using each procedure every other week.
You should start with the Microdermabrasion first. For the first week, do several microdermabrasions as outlined below, then, wait a week without doing any microdermabrasions, and after 7 days of giving your skin a break, do your first Skin Peel. Then after that, do a microdermabrasion every other week alternating with a Skin Peel.
So, the maintenance schedule will be a microdermabrasion one week, and a Skin Peel the next week, which adds up to 2 microdermabrasions a month and 2 Skin Peels per month.
The microdermabrasion instructions are to use it at first for 7 consecutive days, but most people find this to be too hard on their skin, so, for the first week, you might want to try doing 2-3 microdermabrasions, and if your skin is holding up well, keep doing each night up to 7 consecutive nights.
So, try for 5-7 microdermabrasions that first week, but 1-3 is just fine if your skin is getting sensitive, irritated, or red.
If your skin is getting red during the treatment, you are using the microdermabrasion system too aggressively and need to use it on the lowest speed and with a very light touch.
Do not use your Skin Peels at all during this initial week of microdermabrasions. The week after you do your initial series of microdermabrasions, then you can wait a week and do a Skin Peel. Then, wait another week and do a microdermabrasion and alternate every other week.
In other words, when you are on your maintenance routine with the microdermabrasions, then you can alternate your Skin Peel into your routine every other week.
Do not do 2 treatments of either one in one week. Just do one or the other once a week.
Don't use either product on irritated skin. If your skin is peeling or irritated, skip doing either one for a week or so.
Make sure your skin is ready for a treatment before doing one. Give the skin time to recover after treatments (usually 1 week is good for most people).
Your skin will be red for a while after either type of treatment, but the redness should fade within a few hours.
Alternating the 2 treatments will give you the benefits of each type of treatment without overloading your skin with exfoliation!
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I use Retin A. Can I use your skin peels and products along with my Retin A?
Usually, when Retin A is first being used, it takes some time for the skin to get used to it.
So, it you are new to using Retin A, try using it for a few weeks and don't use anything else, and wait until your skin is accustomed to the Retin A. That is, you should no longer be experiencing any redness, peeling, or irritation.
If you get to a point where your skin is in pretty good shape, then you can try adding a mild Glycolic or Lactic Acid Peel once a week. Cut the timing in half though from what the directions state, and discontinue use if you have any irritation at all. Test the peel on a small area of your skin first and wait 24 hours to see if your skin reacts negatively to the peel. If it looks OK, then do a peel but rinse it off immediately if there is intolerable burning or redness.
Most people find that they can tolerate the peels once a week along with the Retin A, but some people find this to be too much on their skin.
So, discontinue use if your skin seems sensitive or red, or irritated after a peel and just stick with the Retin A.
The Copper Peptide products have been formulated to be used with other products such as Retin A. Simply mix a pea size amount each of the Retin A with a Copper Peptide Serum or Cream, and apply to the skin.
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I am currently using Accutane/I just finished using Accutane. Can I do the skin peels?
I don't recommend doing any Glycolic Peels or using any Glycolic Products without Doctor supervision for at least a year after you have finished your course of Accutane. I don't actually recommend doing anything but moisturizing to your skin while you are on Accutane. You can also use the Copper Peptide Products, but not if they contain Retinol. Retinol is too harsh to use on skin treated recently with Accutane.
Stay away from Glycolic Acid and microdermabrasion and other aggressive exfoliation treatments for at least 6-8 months AFTER you stop taking the Accutane. The Accutane makes your skin extremely delicate, like tissue paper. You could scar your skin if you use aggressive products on it at this time. The Accutane is already exfoliating your skin so you don't need any exfoliants.
So, 6 to 8 months after you stop treatment, you can begin Glycolic Acid products, but only with the approval of your Doctor, who can look at your skin and see if you are ready to resume such products.
When your skin is looking normal again (6-8 months after Accutane treatment stops), if you want to add the Glycolic Peels to your routine, your skin should be ready.
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I am new to Glycolic Acid Peels/I have not used a peel before. Which one should I start with?
If you have never done a skin peel at home, the best thing to do is to use one of the Glycolic Acid Treatment products, such as the 10% Cream, 15% Cream or Gel, for a few weeks first just to prep your skin.
If you want to do the peels, you can start out with doing peels at home at the 30% strength since you are new to Glycolic Peels.
You leave the peel on for only 1 minute on your first peel, then increase the timing by an extra 30 seconds the next week and so on for a maximum of 5 minutes. For best results with the weekly peels, it is recommended that you use a nightly Glycolic Acid product, such as the 15% Glycolic Cream or Oil-Free Gel.
After the peel procedure, you can apply a sunscreen if it is daytime, or a moisturizer. The peels themselves do not darken the skin, but increased sensitivity to the sun does occur, so you must wear a sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
If you find that your skin is getting dry or flaky, cut the Glycolic Acid Cream use down to every other night.
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What can I use to treat scars?
For scars, including acne scars, combine the CP Serum with the nightly Glycolic Acid product. Simply mix a small amount of each and apply nightly to the skin.
I like to combine a Copper Peptide product with Glycolic Acid because the Glycolic Acid works on the surface of the skin to exfoliate a layer of dead skin cells as well as speed cell turnover. It also stimulates collagen production deep in the skin for firmer, smoother skin.
The Copper Peptide actually removes damaged proteins from the skin to repair daily sun damage and the effects of aging, and stimulates new collagen and elastin production deep in the skin to firm and smooth the skin from the inside out! This really helps with the scars!
So, the combination of Copper Peptide and Glycolic Acid is just about the best skin care routine around for maintaining your skin!
The Copper Peptide Serum is located on the Web site at:
Copper Peptide Products
The 15% Glycolic Acid Cream and Gel are located at:
Glycolic Acid Products
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What is pH? Why is it important to the skin?
pH is one of my favorite subjects! Here is my fun lesson on pH:
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The pH scale ranges from pH 0 on the acidic end to pH 14 on the alkaline end.
Our bodies have a natural covering called the acid mantle. It's composed of fatty acids from our perspiration and amino acids from our skin tissue. This acid mantle fights infection from bacteria that gather on the skin. The pH factor is a measurement of the percentage of hydrogen ions in the acid.
The acidic pH of skin has been recognized for a century. However, the function of the ‘acid mantle’ of skin remains incompletely understood.
Normal skin is pH 4.5 to 5.5, meaning it is moderately acidic. The pH of the skin certainly differs throughout different parts of the body. If something comes into contact with the skin that is either too acidic or too alkaline, the skin's natural protective barrier (the acid mantle) is affected. Barrier recovery is slowed, damage is prolonged, and skin problems will arise, such as skin peeling, rashes, irritation, etc. Average pH of the skin is different for everyone because not everyone’s skin is exposed to the same conditions such as weather and harsh detergents.
Most good skin care products are formulated for the skin with a pH that falls within a range that should not affect your skin adversely. Your skin will usually normalize itself within a couple of minutes to a couple of hours after using such products. pH-neutral is 7. This is the pH of pure or distilled water. A product with a pH of 7 will not affect the pH of the skin at all! Most skin care products fall within a range that allows them to affect the skin slightly to achieve the desired affects of the product without irritating the skin or not allowing it to normalize within a short period of time.
That is why we stress using Glycolic Acid peels falling within the pH range of 2.5-3.0! There are some Glycolic Peels and other products on the market with a very low (acidic pH) and these products are actually doing more harm to the skin than helping it!
Glycolic Acid Creams and Gels stay on the skin without rinsing, so the pH of these types of products will be more alkaline, in the 3.1-3.6 range for maximum effectiveness.
Of course, the cleansers we sell are all pH balanced for maximum effectiveness.
Here is a partial list of pH Neutral or Moderately Acidic soaps (pH of about 7) that you can buy at the grocery store. Use these on your body, not on your face:
Liquid Soaps
Aloe Vera 80
Cetaphil
Dial
Dove
Gillette Wash
Ivory
Jergens
Lever 2000
Neutrogena
Noxema
pHisoderm
Softsoap
Bar Soaps
Caress
Dove
Oil of Olay
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What can I use to get rid of or minimize Acne Scars?
I don't know if you have used any Glycolic Acid products before, but our 15% Glycolic Acid Treatment Gel is a good product to start with. You would use it every night. For maximum scar treatment, combine the Glycolic Acid Gel with the Copper Peptide Serum. Copper Peptide actually removes damaged proteins in the skin to repair and rejuvenate the skin, plus it builds a new layer of collagen and elastin deep in the skin to tighten and smooth the skin. This combination of Glycolic Acid and Copper Peptide will definitely help with the acne scars.
If you have used Glycolic Acid products, and were interested in trying a skin peel, the 50% Lactic Acid Peel is a great choice for your skin situation. It is the best product for exfoliation and irregular pigmentation. It works to even out skin tone, and is more gentle to the skin than Glycolic Acid since Lactic Acid occurs naturally in human skin.
Another great product I suggest for you is the GlyMed Derma Pigment Skin Brightener. It is a skin brightening gel which does not contain any hydroquinone, and evens out skin tone and reduces the spots really fast!
It contains a unique complex of Glycolic Acid, Kojic Acid, Phytic Acid, and Citric Acid to provide powerful skin lightening for visibly noticeable results within 30 days. Time release liposomes transport the active ingredients to the cells below to protect and work from the inside.
It is located on our Web site at:
Skin Lighteners
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What do you mean by “Buffered” when talking about the Acid Peels?
The buffered versus non-buffered debate is really a funny one. All Glycolic Acids for use on the skin are buffered, except for 100% Glycolic Acid. Also, all Glycolic Acids for use on the skin are Pharmaceutical Grade, which is 99% pure.
When it is a 40% Glycolic Acid solution (or any other strength solution besides 100%), that means that there is 40% Glycolic Acid, and 60% other ingredients to slow down the acid delivery.
A lot of other Web sites try to make an issue of buffering, and some even claim that their product is not buffered, but these people do not know what they are talking about. 100% Glycolic Acid means that it is 100% acid, with no other ingredients, and you could not put such a thing on your skin unless you are interested in seeing the bones of your skull!
We state that we do not buffer our solutions beyond the stated strength. This is another thing other companies will do. They will make a solution with a drop of 40% Glycolic Acid in there, but only a drop, and the solution is not a 40% solution. That way they can say it has 40% Glycolic Acid, but you are not really getting 40% Glycolic Acid. Ours is really 40% and 30% Glycolic Acid, not buffered below that and sold as 40%.
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Which is better or more effective for rejuvenating the skin – Microdermabrasion or Acid Peels?
Microdermabrasion and Glycolic Peels both basically do the same thing for your skin, and that is to exfoliate the skin. Both remove the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal fresher, smoother skin and both stimulate faster cell turnover to keep your skin fresher.
Microdermabrasion is a mechanical means of exfoliation, that is, it uses a scrubbing action to remove the dead skin cells. Glycolic Acid is a chemical means of exfoliation, that is, it uses a chemical - Glycolic Acid - to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Both do basically the same thing. It is just a matter of preference if you want to use a chemical, or use a scrubbing action to exfoliate your skin.
However, there is a difference between the 2 treatments, and that is that Glycolic Acid actually penetrates the skin to a certain degree and stimulates the growth of a new layer of collagen and elastin deep in the skin. Microdermabrasion does not do this. The new layer of collagen deep in the skin helps to tighten, firm, and smooth the skin.
Another thing to keep in mind, that to some people, Glycolic Acid is harsh on their skin. On the other hand, some people find Microdermabrasion to be too rough on the skin, and microdermabrasion has been known to stimulate acne breakouts, while Glycolic Acid tends to clear up the skin and keep it clear.
So, it is just a matter of preference as to how you like to exfoliate the skin. The both do the same exfoliating action, but each has its pros and cons along the way!
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My skin is blotchy and the skin tone is uneven. What can I use to even out my skin tone and fade the blotchy spots?
The 50% Lactic Acid Peel is a great choice for your skin situation. It is the best product for exfoliation and irregular pigmentation. It works to even out skin tone, and is more gentle to the skin than Glycolic Acid since Lactic Acid occurs naturally in human skin.
Another great product I suggest for you is the GlyMed Derma Pigment Skin Brightener. It is a skin brightening gel which does not contain any hydroquinone, and evens out skin tone and fades spots really fast!
It contains a unique complex of Glycolic Acid, Kojic Acid, Phytic Acid, and Citric Acid to provide powerful skin lightening for visibly noticeable results within 30 days. Time release liposomes transport the active ingredients to the cells below to protect and work from the inside.
It is located on our Web site at:
SkinLighteners
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