Glycolic Acid 10% Peel & Lactic Acid 10% Instructions

How do I use Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid Chemical Peel? 

Instruction for using your Chemical Peel

Start with a patch test (even if you don't have sensitive skin), perform the test on your wrist or inner elbow, following the directions below on how to use this product, wait 48 hours. If you don’t have a reaction then you may now use it on the area you wish to treat.

Start your treatment with well cleansed & well rinsed skin, pat dry. DO NOT use an exfoliating cleanser, acid cleanser, cleansing wipes or a face flannel/cloth when cleansing before using this treatment, this is important as it could cause over exfoliation. From our range we recommend the First Cleanse Oil.

If you use our Revitalising Ginseng Toner, apply a little to a cotton pad and gently sweep over the skin straight after cleansing. Allow to dry and wait a couple of minutes, you can then apply your glycolic or lactic acid. This step is not essential and you can apply this acid to dry skin after cleansing.

Shake bottle before use. Place roughly quarter a pipette of acid in to a small, clean dish or apply a few drops directly to your application brush or hands, apply more product as needed. If you’re applying to a larger area than the face you will need more. Don’t allow the salicylic acid to come in to contact with any metallic objects as it could tarnish.

Using your brush or fingers, gently apply enough product to cover the area.

Keep the product away from eyes, lips and mucous membranes. Do not apply directly under the eyes. Do not apply this product to irritated, peeling or compromised skin.

Leave on for 5 minutes to begin. You may increase up to 15 minutes if you experience no irritation.  

To neutralise the acid (to stop it working) rinse well with plenty of lukewarm water (not hot).

If after leaving for 15 minutes you have no problems, you may use overnight under a moisturiser, but we do recommend rinsing to avoid over exfoliation. Leaving it on longer doesn’t give better results, we do actually find rinsing the product off before moisturising gives the best results as you're washing away the dead skin, enhancing the efficacy of your product.

Don't use your acid any more than every other day, less for sensitive skin, do not use daily. Avoid using another acid product after your exfoliator, instead use a gentle moisturiser such as our Azulene Moisturiser which is suitable for spotty, congested skin or our Collagen Moisturiser which is suitable for dry skin.

Although rare, some clients may experience mild sloughing, producing some weeping or scabbing, do not pick at any cuts or flakes on the skin as in rare occasions this may cause scarring or discolouration. This often occurs a face cloth or exfoliating cleanser has been used. 

To use this with another Bravura London exfoliator you’d alternate every other evening, for example Monday Salicylic Acid, Wednesday Glycolic Acid, Friday Lactic Acid and so on. This includes our chemical peels or the serums and moisturisers with a glycolic acid content of 10% or above. Overuse could cause over exfoliation.

For best results, perform your treatment in the evening, using the exfoliator no more than every other evening, 1-4 times a week depending on your skin’s sensitivity.

This Chemical Exfoliator can be used every other evening or whenever required. We recommend you use our high quality chemical exfoliator fan brushes to apply the product although a small, soft (clean) make-up brush will do. If you do not have either then you may apply with your fingertips, rinse the product thoroughly from your fingers as soon as you’ve finished the application. We don’t recommend using cotton wool or a cotton pad as this will absorb the product meaning you’d need to use more, but if you find it easier, you can use a cotton pad and buff the product on to the skin.

You may experience the following when using your glycolic or lactic acid, this is perfectly normal

• Itching or mild stinging whilst the acid is on your skin.
• Slight redness and sensitivity for roughly 24 hours.

Avoid shaving for 24 hours before using the peel as irritation and stinging may occur.

Please check through the ingredients of all the products you apply to your skin (even natural based products), if they contain any acids (salicylic, glycolic, lactic, willow bark etc) or active ingredients (such as benzoyl peroxide, retinol, Vitamin C, sulphur) DO NOT use for 12 hours before or after you use your chemical peel. You may use glycolic or salicylic products in the morning but avoid using them within 5 hours of your exfoliator.

Do not use this product within 12 months of taking the drug isotretinoin aka as Roaccutane. Avoid using products prescribed by your Dr that contain Retin-A or Vitamin A for the duration of your treatment. Do not use if you have an active cold sore.