Glycolic Peel
What is Glycolic Peel?
A glycolic peel is a type of chemical peel that is very popular and also the mildest type. The glycolic acid that is used in the peel is all natural, derived from sugar. Glycolic acid is part of the alpha hydroyx acid group. This type of peel targets the top layer of the skin that is considered to be a superficial peel. It is a clear liquid that comes in various strengths starting at 30%, and goes up to 75% in concentration.
Glycolic Peel Benefits
Glycolic peels can help benefit the skin in many ways. They will repair the skin by helping reduce any acne on the face. They will deep clean the pores, shrink the pores, and eliminate blackheads. Glycolic acid is known to even out skin tones, brighten the skin, and smooth out rough skin. Fine wrinkles and lines can be diminished, and existing acne marks will be faded. Hyper pigmentation of the skin will be faded, and collagen production will be stimulated.
A glycolic peel can be done in the office of a dermatologist and is considered to be an outpatient procedure, meaning you will be able to leave once the procedure is done. Your skin will be thoroughly cleansed to begin with, and then a solution of glycolic acid will be applied to the face. The glycolic acid will be allowed to sit on the skin to penetrate it for a determined amount of time and then will be washed off. Usually with the first treatment, the solution will only be left on for a minute, and gradually the time will be increased, as your skin tolerates the glycolic acid. The skin may feel a burning or stinging sensation but will not last too long. The skin will turn red, and can continue to be red for a few hours to a few days after the peel is performed. If a peel is done in a dermatologist’s office or at a spa, a cooling fan will most likely be used to cool the skin and reduce the burning sensation.
Glycolic Peel at Home
Glycolic peels may also be done at home. These are a great solution for the skin to help repair them. Some good ones on the market today include:
• Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel- This do it yourself peel is relatively inexpensive, and the pre-soaked pads are easy to use. The pads are designed to remove dead skin cells to leave skin feeling fresh, smooth and clean.
• AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel- This peel is perfect for those with oily skin. Skin will feel fresher, cleaner and more tone after using it. Has a nice fragrance that will give a radiant glow to the skin.
• Principal Secret Reclaim Age Braker Enzyme Peel and Mask- Brighter skin will be seen after using this peel/mask. Inexpensive treatment that will not dry out the skin. Great for those that have combination skin.
• Philosophy the Microdelivery Peel- A glycolic peel that will exfoliate the skin, removing any dullness. It is a two part treatment that delivers the results of some professional treatments.
• Kiehl’s Overnight Biological Peel- This peel works overnight to leave a fresh faced skin in the morning. Perfect for sensitive skin as it will not irritate. Helps to fade redness, dull skin and acne scars.
• O.R.G. Skincare Organic Mineral Peel Face- This organic peel is wonderful for sensitive skin. Skin will not be stripped of oils. Leaves skin feeling smooth and soft.
• Skin Obsession 30% Glycolic acid chemical peel- This peel will increase cell turnover to reduce acne outbreaks. Fine lines will be smoothed away, and skin tone will be evened out. Helps to remove sun damaged skin.
I use at home treatments for my glycolic acid peels. One that I have fallen in love with and use religiously is Peter Thomas Roth Un-wrinkle Peel pads. For under $50, I can get 60 pads, which I feel is a good amount. This is a 20% solution, which is gentle enough for my sensitive skin I feel. It has green tea extract in it which I love, as well as vitamins A, C, D, E and F. My skin has gotten so much clarity from using these pads, and I like the fact that they are very convenient for me to use. My pores have gone down in size, and my sister has noticed and begged me to let her know what I am using. I feel more confident now, and it is all because of some pre-soaked pads in a container! Thank you Peter Thomas Roth!
I love what glycolic peels do for my face. I have had a few done in the office of my dermatologist’s office. There was some discomfort from the stinging but nothing that could not be helped with the cooling fan. I would recommend getting a peel done if you have large pores, lots of acne, have dull or lifeless skin, or just want wrinkles to look smaller if they are fine. My results were not seen immediately, however, I did see results within a week. The first time when Dr. Rodgers told me that the glycolic acid was only going to be left on my skin for a minute, I was like how can that be enough time. But I am working my way up to leaving it on longer, which I do feel is a very smart move. This will ensure that your skin will be able to tolerate the glycolic acid, and really does make sense.
I have just started doing glycolic peels. Here is some info that my dermatologist shared with me. You need to start off with a smaller concentration of glycolic acid so you do not burn or damage the skin. The skin needs time to tolerate the solution and starting off with a 75% mix will only harm the skin, not help it. The stronger the peel, the more discomfort one will feel. At my dermatologist office, after the treatment is done, a cooling steam will applied to the face for about 30 minutes or so to help ease any discomfort and to reduce redness and irritation.
I have done a round of the at home glycolic peels at home. However I was not a huge fan of the results they left on my skin. I have very oily skin and my skin felt very oily after doing the treatments. However, I see one was listed for oily skin above, the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel. I will look for this online as I would love to see the results of smoother skin, reduced pore size and radiant skin. So glad that I found this article as it gives me hope for some fresher looking skin!
What a great article on glycolic acid. I have never had any of these treatments done but am interested in doing them. I have large pores, and no matter what I do I can not shrink them. My skin is oily as well and I have had my fair share of acne, which has left scars on my face. I am ready to get rid of these scars, and would love to see my pores reduce. I never knew of the benefits of glycolic peels but I am determined now to have one done to see some good results.
There have been quite a few changes on my face. To tell you the truth, at first I thought it was the worst thing ever, because I started getting all these break outs, after each treatment. Just a bunch of little white and red dots all over my face, and they would stay there for a couple of days, and then my face would clear up. I was convinced it was the glycolic acid peel, so I wanted to stop undergoing the entire thing. Turns out, it was just some cream I put on my face after getting the peel, and you’re really not supposed to put much after the peel on your face, because it’s still sensitive. Now, I think that the skin peel is great, because when it removes all the dead cells, your face grows a new layer which makes you look great and glowy. No cream can give you that, just be careful with the products you use after!
The thing with any facial peel is that you have to be careful not to damage your skin while the new cells are glowing. For me, this type of a peel isn’t good, because it’s too mild, as the article states. But other kinds of peels work just fine, and it’s basically the only thing I get. The chemical peel cost is so affordable, so along with my little homemade creams, I keep my skin healthy and young.
A skilled dermatologist did the glycol peel for me, and I’m all for it. I can say only the best about it. Peels have been around since forever, so everyone knows about it. The only thing I wanted to share is the glycolic peel at home isn’t the same thing as getting it done by a pro. My dermatologist took a thorough examination of my skin, and then after determining all the kinds of problems I had, we sort of went systematically and came to the glycol peel, and I’m thrilled. It rejuvenated my skin and now I will never do a skin peel at home, ever again. Thankfully, I found the dermatologist of my dreams.
Can you recommend your dermatologist? I’m kind of lazy to look around the internet for review, and then again, you never know with these people who just blurt out names out there. There are various glycolic peel reviews so I ended up coming here, since AD is close to my home. I already read that the glyco peel is the best chemical peel there is out there. How mild is it actually?
Hello, I’m Katy, and I wanted to share a story related to chemical peels. Personally, I didn’t try the glycolic peel, but I have tried something else. I won’t name the clinic, or the doctor, because I believe it would be disrespectful but I had a terrible experience! I’m still recovering. Basically, the chemicals in the peels burnt of so many layers of my skin, that it damaged some areas to the point of no return. Now, I am desperate and don’t know what to do. Chemical peel side effects can be very dangerous. I have burnt areas, literally on some parts of my face, and this is no exaggeration. I don’t know what it is, is it the doctor or the ingredients, but it’s definitely not something I would recommend to other women. I’m speaking out because I don’t want this terrible experience to happen to anyone else out there! Home peels, blue peels, tca peels, glycol peels, whatever it is, it’s not good because it contains such toxic chemicals, which could destroy your beautiful skin forever! Couldn’t regret it more, seriously!
In my case the chemical peel in question was too harsh for me, because my skin seems to be prone to any kind of chemical, even the mildest on, like the glycolic peel. Too bad, because I got my hopes up that it would be the treatment that I could regularly include in my routine to keep my skin somehow in order. The reason why I want to do a face peel, because I heard it’s the least painful way to maintain your skin’s healthiness and keep those pores from clogging up. Any suggestions on other treatments?
I’m not really if the glycolic facial peel is the best thing for acne. Maybe it can make it even worse, because the skin is already sensitive and prone to infections. I don’t know. I’ve never had any acne issues, I’ve simply got the peels done as part of a beauty routine. The first time I tried the glycol peel was when I saw Samantha in Sex and the city, and she got a chemical peel, burnt her entire skin off, but looked gorgeous a couple of days later. I was terrified at first, but researched around, gathered a bit of courage and got the glycolic skin peel. Felt a little bit like Sam in the beginning, lol! Then after two days only, I’ve started to recover, and I began to see a dramatic change in my skin. Since I had clear skin anyways, I could only notice that it was beginning to look more beautiful and get that dewy finish, but without the foundation! I am a full supporter of the peels!