Showerthought: The great at-home peel debate after a client's bad reaction

Last week, a regular client came in with red, flaky skin after trying a 30% glycolic acid peel she bought online. She said she followed the video instructions but left it on for 15 minutes, not the 5 it said. This got me thinking back to a panel talk I went to in Chicago three years ago. One side says giving safe, mild at-home peel options builds trust and keeps clients between visits. The other side, which I lean toward now, says we should never recommend them because we can't control the environment or follow-up. After seeing that reaction last week, I'm even more against it. What's your take? Do you ever suggest light at-home chemical exfoliants, or is it a firm 'only in the treatment room' rule for you?

2 comments

2 Comments

karent752d ago

My cousin tried a 25% mandelic acid kit last year and gave herself a chemical burn. It took weeks to heal. I'm totally in the 'treatment room only' camp now.

oscarcooper2d ago

Mandelic acid is usually gentler, but that concentration was far too high for home use.