Baking soda is what I used to neutralize, I do not know what else you can use but it's dirty cheap anyway.
I guess the instruction sheet says to use HA cause they do sell such serum, but you can use your regular moisturizer or serum.
For hyperpigmentation on legs, I think the lactic acid is better. I did use lactic acid straight from the bottle on the legs for hyperpigmentation and I used it as a peel. But you need to be patient to see any results.

 

If you use low % salicylic acid, for example 5-8% or less then you don't need to neutralize, it's only necessary for stronger salicylic acid peels. But baking/bicarb soda mixed with water is the best and easiest neutralizer, just mix it 1:1 and put on skin, it heats up a bit, but thats normal and when the reaction stops, rinse it off. The already pre-mixed neutralizer solutions also have bicarb soda in them, so you don't get anything more advanced if you buy them.

50% glycolic acid is very strong, you would burn skin if you used it undiluted, start with 15-20% for a few minutes. And glycolic acid needs to be neutralized, it's not self limiting like salicylic acid. Not sure about creams tho, maybe 5% would be ok for that. So if you have 50 g cream then add 5 ml glycolic acid and you should get 5% glycolic acid cream.

Hyaluronic acid serums are probably the best thing you can put on skin to hydrate it, you can buy them or make them yourself. Garden of Wisdom has many different kinds and they also do sample sizes: GoW Hyaluronic Acid Serums

 

Hi, yes bicarbonate of soda is the most effective neutraliser.

For a cream, it's good to know that unlike salicylic acid, glycolic acid can't get through oil. So the effect you will get for a certain percentage of glycolic acid may be affected by how oily your cream base is, which is why I don't like AHA creams for face personally, although a cream/lotion base can give spreadability necessary for application to larger areas that would be too difficult with a water-like solution. The effect will also depend on the general sensitivity and thickness of your skin from other topicals you're using - general rule is to start low % and work up as your skin gets used to it.

What do you want to achieve with the leg cream? exfoliation so other actives can penetrate better? generally faster skin cell turnover? removal of superficial marks? are you going to use HQ or Retin-A in your routine too - which will have an effect on skin thickness and sensitivity to the acid? Same cream or different one?

Don't forget that all AHAs make your skin extra sensitive to the sun (hyper-pigmentation included), so a sun block is essential...especially if you are using it for skin lightening.

p.s. Hyaluronic acid serum is often recommended after peels as it's a pure humectant and won't cause irritation. Many actives can have an irritating effect on raw skin which can case further hyperpig all by itself, so anything you put on should be plain and simple.

 

Hi, yes bicarbonate of soda is the most effective neutraliser.

I think that it burns a lot

 

i have just recieved these products and i plan to do a peel with the saciliyic acid but i have reading the instruction sheet and it says that i need a neautraliser . ie baking soda. is there anything else i can use?

also it saids i need to use hyaluronic acid serum - do i have to use this or can i get something else and is easy to buy off the shelf.


and thirdly i purchased some glycolic acid to add to a cream - i got 50% - is this percentage ok to use and im not sure what quanity to add to the cream? do i just use it to the areas that are darker or do i spread to the whole leg?

never never done a peel , so im pretty nervous!!

Nervous is good

- it is sooooo much better to be nervous and ask all the questions up front than to go into peeling whistling cheerfully and it going wrong because you didn't do your research beforehand.

If you have never done a peel before then one thing I would advise it to go a practice peel with plain water (don't laugh

). Starting out I found the most tricky things were getting my stuff set up, preparing my face properly for a glycolic, learning how to use a fan brush properly without it dripping all over the place - I just cannot use cotton buds fast enough however hard I try

- getting my neutraliser prepared before I begin, all that silly stuff.

If you can feel comfortable about the routine before you do it with acid then you can do it with much more confidence.

...and always start with a low % and go higher / repeat if you need. Acid is so cheap these days that I simply don't understand why anyone would risk starting too high and burning themselves...invariably doing more damage to the skin than was there in the first place.

...and ALWAYS do a patch test 24/48hours before a peel...

Good luck

 

Thank u ladies for all your help , Done the peel last night and i left the peel for a couple of minutes . had a tingly sensation and left it on for about 2 1/2 minutes and then neautraliser.

well no peeling and i didnt think i would.

But at that point i had a demotavation feeling and thought no matter how many peels that i do i have servere acne pitting on sides of cheeks which no matter how many peels i do , wont change anything. who am i kidding unless i spend thousands of pounds having laser therapy . It aint gonna change.

so i just got to get use to it.

 

oh please dont be so down - given the retin a a go.

i have never had acne,only a pimple or to, i use retin a only to peel back the wrinkles - and its working!

in your case you would get the double whammy of help with your acne and also the increased skin turnover that will help your skin heal from the scars.

also talk to goat about TCA peels, i have done a couple of spot ones on the bad 11 between my eyes, and also a bad crease above my lip, the difference is amazing - and i started at 12.5%!

have you taken a look at the acne threads?

never never give up, there are no such people as losers in my book, just people who dont try

have patience, do your research, and i promise you will be rewarded

good luck and let us know how you are going

jojX

 

Have you tried some of the anti-acne topicals, Skinoren, Retin-A, Differin?

 

i thought the above are more for acne control as opposed to scarring and pitting i have.

 

Depends on how serious/deep the scarring is, Retin-A and glycolic acid together might improve the look of your skin over time.

 

Thank you for all your help. i think i need to go and see a dermatologist . In the last months i have been getting acne , not too sure why. so he/she maybe recommed some treatment.

Thank you everyone for the input in this matter.

 

Is a necessary evil, I think, how else to stop the acid... Neutralize with neutral/base. There is bound to be a reaction.