*sounds klaxon* 30% GA peel shizzle that you can do at home

[SeasonOfTheWitch]

thought i ought to do a public service and announce it properly as hardly anyone seems to know you can buy this stuff to use at home - and it works out sooo much cheaper than having it done at a salon even tho it's the exact same stuff.

i've only used it once so far (for 3 mins) but have been properly amazed by the results - as i posted on another thread, my 11s have reduced by 50% [holy grail] and my skin generally looks brighter and more even.

you do it weekly, building up the time over 6 weeks and then have a break.

the magic goo is here: www.bravuralondon.com/glycolic-acid-30.html

don't forget to get the neutraliser (apparently just bicarb but maybe has crushed fairies' castles in it too so your choice) and use sun block in the day.

anyone a veteran of the stuff and care to share your results?

p.s. i don't work for bravura and i'm a MN regular recently name-changed to separate my S&B chat with my over-sharing on other threads.

ah scabs - deffo a good sign cat

reikizen with this one, you wash the 2nd neutraliser off with water and then just leave it without any product on overnight (you can use oil if your skin is dry)

cyb i so agree. makes me a bit thinking about those slebs keeping it for themselves all this time. that lisa eldridge, a right selfish creature if ever there was one.

so year-old bottles aside... has anyone else got it yet?!

still waiting for mine to arrive

I ordered the Mac primer spf 50 too. What a total sheep

Hope I don't end up looking like The Singing Detective

The Singing Detective

That's me that is

Sorry not meaning to put anyone off

It's my own fault I've ended up like Freddie Kruger. I'm still optimistic about the results....

There, there catinboots, just think -you did a good thing reminding all of us stupid sheep that we need to do patch tests with our new beauty products.

just looking at this website and it says its good for scars and stretch marks, has any of use tried it for this yet? what were the results my stomach is covered in stretch marks wondering if this will help any

aaagh - I want some but website is driving me nuts!

I said 'yes' add neutraliser but then it disappears from summary and the price ends up less than it started for just the peel alone.

omg feel awful but between this thread and the burnt fanjo one, I can't stop laughing......

I have ordered some

I hope it helps with my hyper-pigmentation which I have had since I was pg the first time.

I have just watched Sali Hughes, she chunters on a bit!

does anyone know what the % of GA is in that sanctuary peel kit?

On the subject of Bravura peels, a quick shout out to all those suffering from blackheads, spots and acne etc. Try the salicylic acid peel. Glycolic acid is great at treating surface problems, but it's water soluble. So it will help congested skin in that it breaks down the dead skin that caps the pores that causes a sebum build up. But salicylic acid is lipid soluble so aswell as breaking down the dead skin 'cap' it can also penetrate through the oil and break down the nasty oily crap that's been trapped inside AND is anti inflammatory. And as a bonus it does all the other things that the glycolic peel does too.

As someone who's suffered acne for over 15 years and whose last hope was roaccutane from a dermatologist (which I wanted to avoid as it's nasty stuff) it's been truely life changing. My acne is gone, i only get a few blackheads in the most stubborn areas, my pores appear tighter, my skin looks more even and on the rare occassion when I do get a new spot they are now much smaller than they used to be and disappear overnight with normal spot creams. Once the last of the scars have faded I'll even be able face the world without foundation for the first time since childhood. I used a cheapy from eBay, but it's all the same stuff really.

do you think you can alternate salycilic with GA? or do you have to stick to one or the other?

the SA sounds fab!

no expert but i reckon you'd be better off alternating a 'course' of one then the other rather than alternating every week. no basis for thinking that tho tbh.

we're all gonna end up with wardrobe of acids at this rate

There shouldn't be any need to alternate, salicylic acid does everything that glycolic acid does PLUS has the benefit of penetrating deeper into the pores and being anti inflammatory. SA (a beta hydroxy acid) is much stronger than GA and the other alpha hydroxy acids though, which is why it's sold in lower concentrations.

As to whether or not you CAN alternate, I've no idea. Unless someone can come up with a definitive yes on that one I'd suggest completing a course of one, taking a break, then trying the other just to be one the safe side.

Word of caution though, SA shouldn't be used by those who are allergic to asprin.

no aspirin allergy :)

Isn't SA the stuff that's in veruca gel?

Lthe What percentage of salicylic acid do use?

Have you folks ever heardof the aspirin mask? Basically you crush about 5-6 tablets, mix with enough warm water to form a paste and then apply until it dries (5-10 mins?). Happy peaceful skin almost immediately afterwards and no dangerous scaley snake skin bits afterwards. Soluble aspirin works best. Very very cheap skin care.

SA is in all sorts, from face washes and teen spot cream, to yes, verruca treatments. Used because it speeds up the cell renewal process of the outermost layer of skin, just like GA and all the other popular AHA's.

I use a 20% SA because I'd previously used 30% GA peels without a problem. It definitely tingles more/gives more of a warm sensation than I ever experienced with GA though but I only get a tiny hint of pinkness that calms down within a few minutes. If you've not used acid peels before I believe its recommended to start with 10% SA and work your way up if needed.

Really Lthewife, it is that good? Am excited at the thought as another who never faces the world without foundation. Which actual product do you use?

Right, having used 30% GA for a six week course, and pretty happy with the results, I'm going to give the SA a go, to see how the two compare. SA is supposed to be better for oily congested skin, isn't it?

Do you need to use sunscreen with SA as well as the GA?
I'm scared of using my GA now the sun is here cos I sure love to sit in it!

As with everything I would expect it won't work for everyone dyspeptic, but I'd say it's worth a try! For me it's been brilliant and has achieved what over the counter products and several years on antibiotics, prescription topical treatments, dianette etc promised but couldn't deliver. For instance, last night one of nasty, deep cyst type spots appeared. Previously they would swell up over the course of a few days, never actually form a head, the skin would get irritated and weepy, go all crusty and generally stay crusty and swollen for a couple of weeks. Once it eventually healed I could guarantee it would reappear in the exact same place a few weeks later. Last night I put some freederm on the new spot, this morning the swelling isn't at all visible and I've had no weeping or crusting. I can still feel a small lump under the skin, but I expect it will be gone completely by tomorrow. A huge improvement!

The one I use is from eBay seller Forever Young, they have a guide to which peel to pick here. I bought the 20% lactic/salicylic combination peel because I was concerned about SA being stronger and the combination is supposed to be better for sensitive skin, but it's the SA that is making the difference for me (I've used lactic acid before without an improvement in my acne).

TracyK yes, still need sunscreen with SA I'm afraid

I might just skip the peel stuff till after summer. Will give the crushed asprin paste a go though!