Peels and Exercise, Retin A / Tretinoin: From Our Mailbag

2 Responses

1. 

   Karen

   September 16, 2014 | Reply

   I’m a 39 yr old AFrican American female with med complextion. I have always had blackhead. Big and sometimes deep ones in my cheeks and chin. And will also get pustules at times. As of late I started to develop a hormonal type acne that flares when my estrogen drops. ( hysterectomy so I take I’m estrogen monthly) I have finally got the painful bumps calm down but the blackhead of course still remain. My current regimen is dermalogica cleanser and I wash it off with cetaphil foam cleanser. I also use aczone and retin a 1 percent at times. I recent used the Olay lactic acid kit but did not use the scrub as it seems to break me out. So I just put the lactic acid on and left it for a long time as it is very low grade. I did notice I was lighter n a little smoother. Which lead me to believe that maybe i need a peel. I’m really afraid to break out though. And not sure which to use to start. I do know I would want the one that would deliver the quickest noticeable results. And it seems like this would give quicker results than my retin a 1 percent. It doesn’t seem to brighten my skin and give it the glow that lactic acid seem to give so quickly. I was Interest in the fruit acid peel but usually when I have used a glycolic wash I break out. So I’m not sure. I would appreciate the advice. Thanks

   • 

     Joanna

     September 17, 2014 | Reply

     Since you have had good results with using a Lactic Acid product in the past, I would recommend starting with the Lactic Acid 10% Gel Peel – it is a low percentage, which is key for not irritating acne-prone skin and causing more breakouts. Although, I would give your doctor or nurse who prescribed the retin A a call first, just to make sure it’s OK to use a 10% Lactic Peel at the same time.

     I would say start at the lowest amount of time on the Lactic Acid Peel – leave it for one minute, then rinse with cool water. Wait a day, and see how your skin reacts. If it’s ok, then you can continue adding time you leave the peel on (slowly building up, but to a max of 10 minutes) and how often you use it. Slowly is better, in this case, you wouldn’t want to shock skin that sounds like is very sensitive, and cause any scarring.

     Best of luck!