Glycolic vs Lactic

Lifestyle Wedding, Fashion & Beauty
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Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I couldnt find the information I was looking for using search.

After reading so much about at home chemical peels, I decided to try it out. Some of you may remember I had posted about Fraxel and CO2 laser resurfacing that I am planning on doing next year. In the mean time, I wanted to improve my skin as much as possible. I mostly found information about Glycolic peels, so thats what I ordered from the MUAC website (30%). I am currently on my 4th peel (4th week), and was also looking into TCA peels eventually. After reading more about TCA peels, I learned that you should start a Lactic Acid peel regimen to prep the skin.

I want to hear from people who have done both Glycolic and Lactic peels, and which do you think improved your skin the most, and at what concentration?

Was there a difference in what each peel improved? Like hyper pigmentation was improved with one more than the other, or wrinkles improved more with one?

Thanks in advance!

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Re: Glycolic vs Lactic

  1. Lactic is not a “must” before TCA. Doing regular glycolic peels will also prep the skin. You should also look into using Retin A for a few months before TCA. Nothing preps the skin more for peels than Retin A.

  2. I have the 30% GA from MUAC as well as the 40% lactic acid peel (LA). I like the lactic more and use it more often. They have both helped even out my skin and make it better overall…but lactic gives it a bit of a glow which I like. To be honest, once I finish my current GA peel, I don’t plan on re-ordering.

  3. With peels it better to go slow. Patience is the key to good skin. A higher percentage only increases the chances of something going wrong and/or increasing recovery time. Thus, I’ve stuck to the 30% GA and 40% LA for the past few years. I do it once a week or once every 2 weeks. I sometimes to multiple layers and/or will increase the amount of time I leave it on for. But don’t plan on buying a higher % anytime soon.

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Re: Glycolic vs Lactic

Thanks for the reply!

I was planning on starting with 40% Lactic, as I dont want to take any chances ruining my skin anymore than it already is. From what I have been reading (on the internet, and reviews), people are happier with Lactic. Thats seems to be the consensus. I would like to have a glow to my skin, it seems to have gotten quite dull.

As for the Retin-A, I cant use that as I am currently pregnant, and plan on nursing the baby.

I think I will order the Lactic Acid next. Thanks!