At My Skin Pharmacy, we’re excited to empower you to achieve beautiful, radiant skin from the comfort of your home. Medical peels can significantly rejuvenate your skin when done correctly. This easy-to-follow guide will help you choose the right DIY medical peel, prepare effectively, and care for your skin post-treatment.
Types of DIY medical peels Offered
- Solution Acid Peels
· Options: Lactic, Glycolic, Salicylic, Jessner, TCA, Mandelic, and Resorcinol
· pH Level: Low (1-2) – requires neutralisation post-application
· Best For: Fitzpatrick skin types I-III and safe for pregnant/breastfeeding women - Mask Peels
· Includes: Tretinoin and cream peels (Lactic, Glycolic, Jessner, TCA)
· Application Duration: 6-8 hours; no neutralisation needed
· Suitability: Suitable for all Fitzpatrick types, especially those IV and above. Tretinoin peels cannot be used by pregnant/breastfeeding women.
Achieving Optimal Results
- Series of Treatments: Aim for three peels, spaced six weeks apart for the best outcome.
- Purging Phase: The first peel may bring a temporary purging effect, especially if battling acne or pigmentation.
- Skin Preparation: Use only gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen for five days leading up to the peel.
Please note that whilst a “peel” is satisfying you may not necessarily see a skin peel.
This is particularly common for users who are experienced peelers. You may experience a varying scale ranging from mild dryness or flaking to an intense peel. Especially with lower strength peels or our mask peels you may only experience tightness.
Rest assured, your skin will still be drinking in all the benefits of our medical ingredients!
Choosing the Right Peel for Your Skin Concern
- Acne/Oily Skin: Lactic (excellent), Salicylic (good), Glycolic (excellent), TCA/Jessner (excellent)
- Collagen Growth: Lactic (excellent), Glycolic (excellent), TCA/Jessner (good)
- Uneven Skin Tone: Lactic (excellent), Glycolic (excellent), Salicylic (good)
- Dry Skin: Lactic (excellent), Glycolic (good)
- Gentle Approach for Rosacea: Choose cream peels.
Pre and Post Peel Guidelines
2 Weeks Before Peel
- Schedule any laser treatments to allow for skin healing.
5 Days Before & After Peel
- Stick to gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen only
- Moisturise, moisturise and keep moisturising after your peel! Your skin is working hard to absorb and utilise all the powerful ingredients in the peel.
- Stop using active products (tretinoin, retinol, AHAs, BHAs)
- Refrain from shaving, waxing, or exfoliating
You may feel itchiness, redness, or tightness; that’s normal! Use a healing moisturiser and high-SPF sunscreen (50+).
- Avoid touching your skin as it can cause scarring!
- Avoid hot showers, or saunas.
- Resume your skincare routine once your skin feels normal and/or 7 days after your peel.
Your Step-By-Step DIY Peel Procedure
SOLUTION PEELS
What’s in Your Peel Kit?
- Prep Solution: Prepares your skin by gently exfoliating dead skin cells and thoroughly cleansing the face.
- Peel Solution: This is the main exfoliating agent that will help renew your skin.
- Neutraliser: Stops the action of the peel once you achieve the desired results.
How to Use:
- Preparation: Gather tools: hair bands, cotton pads, cleanser, timer, neutralizer, peel solution, fan brush.
- Cleanse: Double cleanse your skin.
- Degrease: Apply the Prep Solution to a cotton pad. Apply even pressure across your skin to ensure that it is clean and prepped. Allow to dry.
- Protect: Apply Vaseline around sensitive areas (eyes, lips, nose).
- Prepare Neutraliser: Soak a cotton pad with the neutraliser. Set it aside.
- Mix Peel Solution: Pour your chosen peel solution into a dish and moisten a fan brush.
- Application: Apply the peel evenly using the fan brush. Avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, lips and corners of the nose.
- Timing: Set a timer for 1-3 minutes. If discomfort exceeds a 7/10 and/or if frosting (white patches) occur, neutralise immediately with the solution made in Step 5.
- Repeat Step 7-8 only if tolerated.
- IMPORTANT: Follow Pre and Post Peel Guidelines above
MASK PEEL
What’s in Your Peel Kit?
- Prep Solution: Prepares your skin by gently exfoliating dead skin cells and thoroughly cleansing the face.
- Mask Peel: This is the cream peel that treats your skin concerns over a longer duration.
How to Use:
- Gather Supplies: Hairband, cleanser, Vaseline, degreasing solution, and mask peel.
- Cleanse: Double cleanse your face.
- Remove Oil: Use a degreasing solution.
- Protect: Apply Vaseline around sensitive areas.
- Apply Mask Peel: Apply 2-4 pumps of the Mask Peel using your fingers, massaging it gently into your skin. Apply a further 2-3 pumps and pat onto the areas with hyperpigmentation or specific concerns..
- Rinse Off: Leave on for the recommended time (typically 6-8 hours); if you experience intense discomfort, rinse off immediately
- For experienced peelers: Can be left on overnight.
- Peeling may occur 48 hours after washing off.
- IMPORTANT: Follow Pre and Post Peel Guidelines above.
Final Thoughts
DIY medical peels can effectively transform your skin, and with proper guidance and care, you can achieve the glowing results you desire. Visit us at My Skin Pharmacy in Brisbane or contact us online to book your personalised skincare consultation today. Enjoy your peeling journey, and here’s to lovely skin!
Lane Khin, the compounding pharmacist of My Skin Pharmacy, brings a wealth of knowledge from the worlds of pharmacy and dermatology to the table. With degrees in Pharmacy and Applied Science from QUT, Lane combines a deep understanding of compounding and skincare with a friendly, accessible approach. Through My Skin Magazine, Lane shares her expertise, offering readers practical advice and insights into personalised skincare solutions. Lane has a real passion for helping others achieve their best skin.