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Approximately 25%-35% of tattooed people desire to have their tattoos got rid of within 5 years. Tattoo pigmentation goes deep and requires a series of treatments to remove. Most green ink holds titanium dioxide, which is very difficult to remove with laser treatments, but having little impact with chemical peels. Removal of red or black tattoos ordinarily takes four or five laser treatments, at $150 to $500 each. Green tattoos may still be visible after up to 20 laser treatments, costing you time and $$$$. Ankle tattoos are among the toughest to remove with laser because the skin is so thin in that area. Skin bleaching creams do not give substantial results on tattoos and take everlastingly to be effective on most types of discoloration. Chemical peels are the choice of many, due to the lower cost per treatment and the comfortableness of new at-home chemical peel kits. Tattoos and semi-permanent makeup gradually lighten with each chemical peel treatment depending on the type of peel solution used. WHAT IS A CHEMICAL PEEL? A chemical peel is the application of an acid to the skin to achieve a controlled burn in order to remove the top layers of skin. Chemical peels are oftentimes used to remove fine lines, little scars, discolorations such as tattoos, semi-permanent makeup, freckles or liver spots, sun damaged skin, and spots of precancerous keratosis which are removable at the top layers of skin (the epidermis). Peels may be used to the entire face or to isolated areas, such as the upper lip. Peels may be used to most areas of the body, using caution on thinner skin areas such as around the eyes. Various peel solutions are used by physicians to remove warts, moles, and calluses. The type and concentration of acid controls the depth of the burn applied to achieve light, medium, and deep peels. PEEL CLASSIFICATIONS Chemical peels come in 3 basic categories – Light, Medium and Deep. TCA falls into the medium category (depending on %) and is the most desired type since it gives quicker results over the lighter alpha hydroxy acids but is not as traumatic as the heavier phenol peels. 25% TCA is considered a medium strength of TCA and works well on superficial skin imperfections. Strengths and Applications Light – AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) including Glycolic, Salicylic and Lactic Acids Medium – TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) and Jessners solution Deep – Phenol, which requires application by a physician WHERE TO BUY AT-HOME PEEL KITS Until recently, you had to visit a skin care specialist (dermatologist, esthetician, or cosmetic surgeon) to get a “TCA Peel” (chemical peel treatment using trichloroacetic acid). The specialist would have you come in for consultation, advise you on how the peel is done, and give you a mild alpha hydroxy acid lotion (AHA) to employ for one to two weeks prior to the peel treatment. The AHA lotion or gel conditions the skin and begins the exfoliation process. On your next visit your specialist would utilize the TCA solution and remind you of the post treatment care … avoiding sun exposure and keeping the treated skin protected with an antibacterial ointment, then he’d send you on your way. Well now you may buy at-home TCA Peel Kits designed to give you everything you need to implement a peel treatment yourself in the privacy of your home, saving you the expense of office visits and money. Yavonae Skin Care offers TCA Peel Kits that include everything you’ll need from TCA peel solution, cotton pads, and alpha hydroxy acid prep lotions to ointment, sunblock, fans, and concealers. These kits come with finish instructions including how to employ a patch test to determine your skin’s reaction to the peel solution and what strength to use. Unlike deep peels, medium peels may be performed safely on people with darker skin tones TCA is a outstanding substitute when milder peels stop devising desired benefits. |
Most helpful customer reviews
370 of 373 people found the following review helpful.
This product is my Holy Grail
By Mrs Coltutt
My skin and I haven’t been on speaking terms for years. Horrible, brutal, stubborn, disfiguring cystic acne, so viciously tenacious that I had to go through…yes, count ‘em…not one, but TWO rounds of Accutane to rid my self of it, and I STILL get a nice cyst on my back or chest every once in a while. I had pockmarks on top of pockmarks…forehead, cheeks, temples, chin, bridge of my nose even. I hate my skin, I really do. I’ve gone through 2 deep dermabrasions (through a plastic surgeon, not the micro kind), plus about 30 DEEP chemical peels. My scarring improved a lot.
But professional options get expensive, and taking weeks at a time off while my skin healed wasn’t feasible. So I tried other methods to get rid of the rest of the scarring.
Over-the-counter products like Mederma didn’t help. Then as I aged, I got grayish, blotchy, dull, oily-here-wrinkly-there skin to add to my scars.
Lovely.
I’ve used salicylic acid, makes my skin red and papery. I’ve used Mederma, nothing.
Sorry for the big lead in, but I wanted to give y’all a good idea of what I was already “facing” (sorry for the bad pun).
I saw this Skin Laboratories 35% Glycolic Acid peel advertised, decided it certainly couldn’t hurt.
Bought it, received it very quickly, followed the easy-to-follow directions, love it. The lifeless, grayish appearance of my skin is gone. My smaller scars and pores are much diminished, after only 5 weeks of use, so much so that I can actually COUNT the number of scars I have left. (There were so many before, it was useless to count).
I will admit, I modified the instructions to fit my needs. I leave it on ten minutes at a time. Remember, I am a veteran of strong deep (EXPENSIVE) professional chemical peels, so my skin is quite tolerant to acid. I don’t get a visible see-your-skin-flake-off “peel” from this product either (something a few of you have complained about), but that’s so much the better! I don’t have to miss work for a week at a time to let my skin heal, like with the strong chemical peels. But believe me, the skin cells ARE sloughing off and being replaced. You know how that 10 pounds just snuck up on you after the holidays, and you didn’t notice? The skin rejuvenation you will get using this product is the same way: you don’t notice it until it’s done it’s work.
I use this product once a week. After next week (my 6th), I’ll wait a month before I go through the cycle again.
I’m also going to start using this product on my chest, which of course, is also scarred and weather-beaten.
Skin Laboratories, I Bow Before You. This is a superior product.
114 of 114 people found the following review helpful.WOW… WOW.. WOW
By Emmly
I always tend to stay away from chemical peels because of the horror stories I hear and because I have fair, oily, acne prone skin.
I purchased the 35% peel just to try it; to see if I’m missing anything. I’m sorry I didn’t have the guts to try it sooner. 
)
It is absolutely fantastic. I had a couple of breakouts I could not, for the life of me, get rid of. I put this on with a cotton ball, and I did wait the full 4 minutes; it tingled, but did not burn in any way. I washed it off and thought “okay, no miracles here”. My face did feel smoother but that’s about it.
The next two days I noticed quite the improvement. My chin cleared up and my face was, again, smoother, and more even and most importantly, no breakouts. I did not need to even put on powder (which I did not live without).
You do have to use a moisturizer after the peel. I did the first time, but because my face is oily, I didn’t use one the second time. BIG mistake! My face was red and it still tingled 20 minutes after I rinsed off the peel.
As soon as I put moisturizer on, my face felt better and the redness went away.
This peel works wonders for me. I will keep on using it. It’s definitely worth the money.
70 of 70 people found the following review helpful.Glycolic Acid 35%
By Mish
Have been using Natura Bisse Glycopeel for years and decided to give this a try. Definitely not as gentle as the Natura Bisse product, but equally effective if you don’t mind a little faster peel and the accompanying redness (which goes away in a day or so). And, what a value compared to Department store product prices!! Will purchase again.
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Truth in Advertising?
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I’m looking for a TCA peel and notice this and shake my head- This company states that
“Glycolic acid…It’s small molecule allows it to slip beneath the epidermis to reach the collagen fibers below and results in 15%-25% thickening over 12 weeks.”
And-
“Lactic: “The Lactic acid molecule works to pull moisture into the cells”
And
Glycolac: “It is generally well tolerated because the lactic and glycolic work on different levels or the skin.”
Wow! REALLY? Glycolic acid is a small molecule which slips beneath the epidermis to reach the collagen fibers below? The only cosmetic peels that penetrate any deeper than sloughing off the first superficial layer of skin, are the phenols and TCAs. This is why phenols are only done by a doctor and under anesthesia. The strong TCAs are done by a doc or licensed esthetician. You can buy the lower strength TCA peels online albeit with a caveat of warnings and disclaimers (so if you use a higher strength than you should or leave it on longer than you should, apply it incorrectly, et al, and give yourself a nice chemical burn, you can’t sue the merchant.) Still, these peels do not reach the dermis, where collagen is located. So unless your glycolic acid peel is a modern day miracle, it cannot “slip” beneath the epidermis. Chemical peels can help to stimulate the body’s production of collagen due to the necrosis (yes, death) of the top layers of skin cells IN the epidermis. The skin reacts to the cell death by stimulating the collagen production just as exposure to sunlight stimulates the production of melanin thus giving people a tan. It has nada to do with gently slipping ‘neath the skin and petting the “collagen fibers”. Your glycolic acid peel would be a miracle of chemistry if it did what you claim. It would also get people really ill, but that’s beside the point I guess. My Lord, even the injectable collagen fillers are made up of molecules that are too big to be absorbed, hence the injectable part. If any topical cosmetic product contained a molecule small enough to actually penetrate the dermis, it would be a prescription now, wouldn’t ya think?
Moving on to your Lactic Acid claim…Exactly how does a lactic acid molecule “pull moisture” into cells? Lactic acid is a hydroxy acid derived from milk. It is not a humectant which attracts and retains moisture from the environment. Is that what you meant by pulling moisture in? A lactic acid peel (or any peel) can help to increase the skin’s ability to retain moisture by dissolving the glue-like substance made of sebum, dirt, old makeup, etc…that holds the dead skin cells together. This results in the dead skin cells sloughing off. The skin can now take in moisture better instead of the moisture sitting on top.
And what exactly is “Glycolac” and how does this product (or is it a new molecule?) work on “different layers of skin”? Which layers? I take it the Glyco part of it can slip beneath the epidermis as well?
Sorry but this kind of advertising really gets my goat. I am trying to find a decent TCA peel on Amazon and it’s frustrating to have to wade through all the c-r-a-p and the false claims made by some vendors. Maybe you have a decent product but I wouldn’t bother to actually purchase it after reading the pitch.
You think acne is bad….
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
Despite using a timer and neutralizer this peel has left my face with scabs on my cheeks, redness all over, new emerging postules and a lot of pain. This is not a no down time peel!!! I had to go to work like this which is far more embarrassing than acne. I have tossed this peel and suggest those who purchase it use it with extreme caution.
these reviews seem to be sales pitches
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
Most of the reviews on this product seem to be sales pitches. They are not believable to me. How could the molecular size/ composition of this product be as small as the product description suggests?
great product
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I tried this product after a lot of research, i found it did just what it said it would my face is Sooo smooth and i could not be happier.
Think it’s working
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I’ve used the peel twice so this review may be premature. I am seeing an improvement in my skin tone. I am African American with very oil skin and hyperpigmentation left from using Proactive serveral years ago. My scars are primarily on my cheek & a few on my forehead. After meeting with an esthetician who suggested I spend $980 on Obagi & an additional $500 on chemical peels, I thought I’d try this peel first. I also purchased the Salicylic peel which I have not tried yet, and Kiss My Face Pore Shrink which I’ve tried and LOVE. I did not experience a lot of stinging, I left on my face for no more than 2 minutes. I put Coconut Oil on my eyebrows & around my eyes & mouth, as a protectant. I applied with a Q-tip, this seemed easier than using a cotton pad. I washed with baking soda to deactive the acid. I will write another review after I’ve completed the series (using 6 times) but right now, I am very pleased.
Review From A Guy
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought this to use on a surgery scar on my body with hopes of lessening the scar’s appearance. I have a few scars on my face that I didn’t even think of using it on, as they are small and have faded a bit. I’m just used to them.
I have applied this 6 times in two months. I left it on longer each time and I did follow up with lotion, which is necessary, no question. It burned a bit when I left it on longer, which was a contrast to the lack of feeling the first few times I used it for less than 1 minute. After all this time, it has made an enormous difference in my skin. The scars are much fainter, my skin is less oily and it is more even colored. I wasn’t in bad shape before, but the change is enough that my male friends are noticing and asking what I did. It’s not night and day, it is a subtle change and it has my skin looking great.
One time I had a cut from shaving and I used this. The cut burned and as the skin was broken, I should have waited for the cut to heal, but I’m not that bright. Anyway, I had some spots where I had the cut, but they disappeared in few days. If anyone else has this happen, don’t freak out.
Now I like to look my best and I can’t believe how well this works. My skin is clear, smooth, less oily and just looks good. I look young anyway, but this really impressed me. I am not a user of this type of product and never knew something like this even existed. We are all different and have different skin, but I have a medium complexion and my skin tends to be on the sensitive side. I haven’t had more than 1 pimple since using this. I don’t get a lot, but more than I had been getting.
Other reviewers have given some good tips and I will be another voice in the chorus that says what a great product and results this has given me.
It does what it’s supposed to do!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I am a retired skin care professional. Glycolic Acid peel is really best at stimulating cell renewal. It’s excellent for older skin renewal that has become sluggish, thus tired wrinkled skin accumulates on the top. I used the product differently than directed. You want to get the product to penetrate the skin. I put it in my hand and massaged into my thoroughly cleansed face, being careful to avoid the eyes. Any left, I massaged into my hands to clean up old skin there. It takes weeks to finally see good results, but my skin does look smoother and younger. I also was able to remove several embedded blackheads with ease.
I Was So Scared To Use This…..
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
…I thought it was going to hurt and braced myself for some intense pain. You know what I felt? Nothing at first, then after being on my face for 8 minutes I started to get a very very very mild sting. I have photosensitive skin. It’s not only hypersensitive to the sun, it’s hypersensitive to many topical lotions(even a Clinique cream with sunscreen). I just hit the big 3-0 and have decided to fight aging problems before they become problems. I was more than thrilled after using this.
My skin was just a little red for a few hours. My pores seem smaller My skin is definitely smoother, it feels better than it would feel when I put top quality lotion on it–and there is no lotion on it! Also, don’t exfoliate after you use this. The day after I did it, I used my apricot scrub in the morning, as I have religiously since I was 13. Despite the fact my face wasnt red or seemingly sensitive, I felt the sensitivity when I did the scrub. Stay away from exfoliations for a week after the treatment to let the cells rejuvenate.
I will be using this every week til the bottle runs out as a sort of practice for TCA and applying it properly. I will also extend the length of time I leave on my face everytime I use it. Hopefully, after this, I’ll be ready for TCA 20% Chemical Peel solution, 30mL (Professional).
EDIT:
Did my second application 2 nights ago. The results this time were considerably better! My skin tone is evening out. The results seem to be accumulative and pronounced. Much more so than any other product I’ve used–and I’ve exfoliating daily since I was 13. Good product. Good results. But a bit too gentle for me as a starting point. I cant wait to see what the results from my next application will look like. That said, since I so thought Glycol 35 was too light weight, I ordered a Glycol 60(ordered the neutralizer too!)
Funnily, by using this peel, I think I found a use for Queen Helene Olive Oil Facial Masque 6 oz.. The other times I used Queen Helene Olive Oil Facial Masque 6 oz., it didnt seem to do anything. Just some moisturizing goop that really didnt seem to moisturize. I used the Olive Oil Masque the day after I did the peel, and it actually moisturized my skin in an even way. Keep in mind though that I have very dry skin with the exception of the T-Zone..so it might still give u zits if you have normal skin
The results seem to be accumulative and pronounced. Much more so than any other product I’ve used–and I’ve exfoliating daily since I was 13. Good product. Good results. But a bit too gentle for me as a starting point.
I love this product!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I love this product! It’s not harsh,but very gentle on your skin. I’ve had adult acne and it has cleared up since using the glycolic acid 35% gel. I’m very excited about that! Cuz I hate pimples! I’ve also noticed a reduction in the wrinkles around my eyes. I’m very pleased with the overall appearance of my skin. It’s softer and smoother.
I did not notice much, my skin was a bit smoother
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Maybe I don’t put enough on. I only used it for the first 6 weeks, and I still have lots in the bottle. I used a cotton ball, I was scared to put too much on. I am now in the break period. I have to start it up again. I only noticed that my skin was a tad smoother. It does feel like the same stuff I use to pay for, so I think it is a good product.
Great Retin-A Alternative!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This truly is an amazing product! I, too, have been plagued with problematic skin since I was 13 ( I am now 30 so it’s been a battle for over half of my life). I have undergone two treatments of Accutane in addition to the more mild topical treatments of Proactive, benzol peroxide, and Retin-A. I have been using the Glycolic Acid Peel for about two months now (well, for 6 weeks and now I am taking one month off as recommended). Even during this ‘down time’ my skin still looks great! The deeper scars from the cystic acne are still there, however, most of everything else from my enlarged pores to my furled brow creases are much less pronounced.
This is by no means a miracle cure, but for the price and convenience of a DIY home treatment you’ll really be amazed! The results are very similar to being on Retin-A (ie. faster cell renewal, increased collagen production, minimization of enlarged pores + wrinkles, and a more evened-out skin tone) but come with a fraction of the cost.
I would highly recommend this product to anyone else who has problematic skin. It really does an amazing job of giving your complexion a brighter, more supple appearance. You will also be amazed at how soft your skin feels to the touch. Just be sure to use a good moisturizer as well as an SPF to help protect your new radiant skin!
Nothing Happened After My Peel???
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
Ok after a friend had recommended this product and from reading all the positive reviews we decided to try it…. My friend and I tried it one evening and mind you we have had this done professionally so we know the process. After washing our faces thoroughly, we applied three layers of the glycolic peel and waited 6 minutes later. We did experience tingling and some redness but nothing uncomfortable. We washed our face thoroughly ensuring all the glycolic was removed and patted our faces dry. We looked in the mirror and said ok, feels like nothing lets see tomorrow. The next day it felt like we did nothing to our faces, day two, three, four, five…. NOTHING! We thought we would of had some type of evidence that we even did a mini peel… But nothing.
We are going to try this one more time, but we are reluctant too since the first one did nothing. I will let you know what happens in the next few days.
Disappointed Elizabeth
Good product
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I’ve been using this product for several weeks now. The first couple of uses it stung pretty bad and I had to take it off after a minute or less. After the 4th use I can leave on it as long as I want, but generally take it off after 10 minutes. My skin seems smoother after each use. I use it for scars, but it also seems to clear up my acne. While my scars are not gone, they do seem less noticeable. I like the product a lot and recommend it for people who have acne, large pores, and scars.
Smooth and Soft Skin
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
It really works!! I waited six months to write this review to see how my skin turned out and I am amazed at the results. I used the peel weekly for 8 weeks, then once a month along with the AHA 10% skin lotion to my face and neck. I’ve also added some of the Glycolic Acid 35% to the AHA lotion and have started to apply it to my arms and shoulders too. My co-worker swore by these products and she has great looking skin in her fifties, so I thought I’d try it now that I’m the big four O.
I have struggled with cystic acne since my twenties and have tried antibiotics, ProActive and Retin A for years with the acne returning and my skin dry and peeling. Now my skin is so much softer with a healthy glow and the acne has cleared up, except for the occasional pimple around that time, if you know what I mean! I also have sun damage to my face with brown spots and freckles and they have faded alot, but are still there. I’m going to try the TCA peel on my cheeks and brown spots for the sun damage and see how that works.
As far as application, I left the peel on for eight to ten minutes with mild burning,rinsed with cool water and applied the AHA lotion afterwards. There is some mild burning with the Glycolic Acid and mild tingling with the AHA lotion, but no other bad effects as mentioned by other reviews I read. But my skin has been used to the Retin A for YEARS, so it may be tougher than others. I am trying the lower strengths, because of my sensitivity to scarring with Asian skin.
AND Don’t Forget the Sunscreen!! That’s something I use alot of now along with a hat while I’m in the sun.
Great Mild Peel, Awesome Price
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I received this about three weeks ago and I have used it 5 times. The first time, I applied it with a cotton pad and left it on for about a minute. It definitely stings and tingles but it’s not painful and is worst when you first apply. I have a fairly high pain tolerance so it might be worse for those with really sensitive skin. I didn’t notice any redness after or during the peel. After the minute was up, I rinsed very gently with a cloth [not necessary] and a lot of water. Make sure to moisturize immediately after rinsing your face, I used Sunflower Oil but Safflower Oil is great as well.
I did notice that my skin felt a tiny bit softer and it seemed to improve a little bit over the next couple of days. I never experienced any flaking or peeling of my skin. I used it again a few days after that and then twice a week since. After the first time, I left it on for the full 4 minutes. My skin is noticeably clearer and has more of a new skin glow, like you get after a sunburn but without the redness. I’m sure the results all vary from person to person depending on your skin type, sensitivity, etc. but it has been great for me. I also exfoliate daily with this Facial Brush so that could be why I didn’t notice any peeling or dry skin.
If you are thinking of trying it, read the reviews first to get an idea of what results to anticipate and if the reviewers who like it have your skin type. Read all the instructions before you apply the peel and immediately wash it off if you experience burning or pain. To be safe, do not leave it on longer than the recommended time or use it more than once a week until you know your skin can handle it.
I definitely recommend it over a salon peel, especially because it’s low dose. Everyone recommends a series of peels to see results and you don’t want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars for results you could get at home.