pat_moore•1mo agoProlific Poster

Just realized I was over-exfoliating my clients' skin for years

A senior esthetician at a conference told me I was stripping the acid mantle by using too strong of a peel on oily skin. I switched to a gentler lactic acid at 5% instead of 10% and saw way less redness after treatments. Anyone else been humbled by a pro like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

valc911mo ago

Oh man, I once did a 15% glycolic on someone with rosacea thinking it would "toughen it up." I saw the aftermath and felt terrible for a week. Now I stick to 5% mandelic for sensitive types and it's like night and day. It's tough to admit we were doing it wrong, but my clients' faces are way happier now.

the_tessa1mo ago

Oh man, I feel you on that one. I switched from harsh stuff to a super mild lactic acid and my sensitive clients stopped looking like tomatoes after their sessions. Seriously, sometimes you just gotta admit the old way was dumb and move on.

juliarodriguez1mo ago

Admitting the old way was dumb and moving on" - that hits hard, doesn't it? I used to think stronger was better too, until I had a client with super reactive skin who literally peeled for a week after a treatment. Switched to a 3% PHA and a gentle mandelic mix like you mentioned, @the_tessa, and suddenly her skin actually glowed instead of flaking off. It's humbling to realize you were basically torturing people's faces out of habit, isn't it? Now I always start with the gentlest option and only go up if their skin can handle it. Way less drama for everyone involved.