Hi there, I'm thinking of trying a glycolic peel (30% or 50%) but i need some advice... I'll tell you abt my KP story 1st...

I'm 21 & have KP for my whole life... worst on my arms, bumps & redness & extremely rough... also on my legs & back... so I tried md formulation pedicreme about a year ago as recommended by a beautician, it has 18% glycolic acid in it, so i used it twice daily, but the improvement was very little, and i slowly stopped it... (that lotion is dear too, about AUD 70, i finish one bottle in just 2 weeks time!!!)

after reading about coconut oil here about a few weeks ago, i bought myself a bottle n gave it a go! my skin is a lot smoother and softer, though still bumpy, so i put on some pedicreme, incredibly, this combo seems working for me! coconut oil is helping the GA to kick into action? anyway, in about 1 week time, my bump on my arms is about 50% less, (though not bumpy but the dot is still there) and much less general redness as well! i could see the improvement every day on the first few days, then it just stopped (or perhaps slowed down... probably the lotion has reached its limit) so i quickly bought a 25% Glycolic acid serum, but it hasnt done much so far... and only my arm respond to the glycolic acid so far! there's just very slight improvement on my back and no improvement at all on my legs!!! *sigh* im thinking if the KP on my back & legs are too tough and need stronger GA to tackle!

so now, im thinking of starting a 30% glycolic acid peel (perhaps every week...) then increase to 50% to help speed up the improvement! i googled for the whole day and found some online stores selling home peeling kit! (much more ecomomic! as one 25% peel in Australia is at least AUD60!!! now just GBP11, can get a bottle for one year supply!) but i've got some questions about the peels before i start & hope some of you may be able to help me out!

as i read a site saying if you're receiving intensive glycolic treatment, you shouldn't use the peel as your skin is more sensitive... you will be more susceptible to side effects like scarring... but i think most people suggest you use glycolic product on a regular basis before you 1st use the peel... can my 18% GA twice daily regimen still go on before and inbetween peels? is my current regimen intense? cause im afraid once i change regimen my KP will be worsen... (my skin has never been this good though still far from perfect... wouldnt it be sad?) i have to at least find out how often i can use before carrying out my plan right?

hope someone who has experience with it or has a beautician friend can help me out... as you know, not all beauticians know what KP is, & they wont feel my pain of never ever had non-bumpy skin for my whole life...

also anyone who's tried GA peel before, it would be good if you can share your expereince with me!

THANKS A LOT

Hey hun,


Coming from someone who has made many mistakes thru this process and has learned a great deal....be very very careful, pateint, and gentle with your skin. I would not approve of doing chemical peel home kits no matter what anyone says. Unless maybe you have done it under the supervision of a doctor and get into a normal routine where he knows exactly what you're doing but you've gone to him already for a while and are ready to take full responsibility and do it at home. Especially, if you have been using chemicals....any chemicals on those areas lately...then don't add more! The skin is very sensitive to using one chemical and then another. Even most soaps you have to stay away from if you're suing a glycolyic cream or doing the peel. After you do the peel you must keep applying vasaline and nothing else....maybe cetaphil to wash your body...not even any other soap much less another cream or chemical.

The lady that used glycolyic acid cream 15% then 20% on the forum was pateint and gave it a long time. You have to use the cream for at least like three months consistently to see results. WE live in a world of instant service and instant satisfaction....but the skin is the most slowly adapting and changing organ of the body. And yes, it's considered an organ. It's crucial and people like us with a skin condition realize this and adjust accordingly.


If you have been using chemical crea, then give your skin like over a month to readjust and rid itself of the effects and re-strengthen to be able to take another chemical blow. And believe me a chemical peel is a big blow to the skin. And please go to a cosmic doctor first and tell them how you feel and that you would like to try this and let them do a test spot. What ever you do, always do a test spot first and be patient for a few weeks or more to see the aftermath of the test spot.


Hope this helps, and please let me know if I could help in any other way. From someone who has made lots of mistakes and has suffered the consequences, I don't want anyone else to regret somthing rested in their hands.


Hope this helps, and please let me know if you have any questions. If all this hardship should give me one positive and fulfilling thing, it should be the ability and opportunity to help others.


Daze

Sorry, i didn't have time to read thru your post completely the first time...but honey.....definitely you can't put the cream on right before or during using hte peel. I don't know what kind of skin you have and how it will react to the chemical peel......but most ppl with kp have very sensitive skin. Peels can cause big brown burn spots......and when you do a peel, you can't even use regular soap much less be applying a potent cream right before or during.

But you probably figured that one out from my first post. Please please consult a cosmetic doctor and if they decide to be cruel and stupid and say...well....i can do it, but ppl with your condition....it just keeps cming back and coming back and its not worth it....then tell them, please let me try it in a safe and supervised way and don't worry about anything else...tell them you have done your research and have full awareness.

If the peels are successful then there are ways to maintain the skin afterwards without doing peels for the rest of your life....the peel should just be a "primer"....but we'll get to that when the time comes

I agree with Daisy - I believe that AHA and retinoic acid do help with KP, however they are acids and in this case putting on more cream won't make things work faster it will only end with sore red skin. A little and often is the best way to go. Those that like a 'quick fix' will find these frustrating to use as you need a little applied over a period of up to 3 months to see results.

The skin is a living organ and needs to be treated carefully and patiently. I believe Turquoise who posted on this board recently had such great results as she was patient and persistant with the AHA treatment.

Your skin has taken a long time to build up the Keratin and resultant KP - it is not going to take kindly to having it stripped off in one go. In the 80's when I was your age (oops... hope I haven't given my age away too much) - my derm tried to treat the KP and redness on my face with liquid nitrogen. My skin was on my face was 'burnt' off - yes the redness and bumps went temporarily but they soon returned.

If you want to try AHA type treatment stick to a little and often for a start and be prepared to have to wait for results - this will hopefully provide some relief to the KP and continued use of the cream will hopefully maintain any improvement. Good luck with your future treatments.