There's no quick fix for the appearance of dark spots or uneven pigmentation, but a peel can give your results a boost. A medium-depth peel brings the most visible change, but it comes with some recovery time. For a faster return to routine, we like AHA acid peels. You can get one this afternoon at your aesthetician's office and be back to business tomorrow.
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How Do Acid Peels Work?
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) work in the uppermost layer of skin to help loosen the bonds between dead surface cells. They create exfoliation, which helps lift away discolored surface cells and reveal fresher-looking skin underneath. In higher concentrations, they create a peeling rather than a flaking effect.
The intensity of the peel is determined by the acid concentration. The higher the concentration, the more intense the peeling will be. But too high a concentration can cause irritation. Vivant uses percentages designed to bring visible results with minimal disruption.
Which Acid is Right for You?
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid (GA), derived from sugarcane, is a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that supports surface exfoliation and helps improve the appearance of uneven tone, texture, and firmness. As the smallest (molecularly) of the AHAs, it absorbs quickly, so results tend to show up fast. GA also has antioxidant properties. A professional-strength dose helps skin look smoother, clearer, and brighter. Glycolic acid is a good choice for lighter skin tones not prone to visible redness or reactivity.
The peel can be repeated once every 15 days for 4–6 months until your desired result is achieved. With regular use, the GA peel helps improve the appearance of skin texture and tone, softens the look of uneven pigmentation and blotchiness, and helps brighten the look of dull skin. It also helps reduce the appearance of shallow acne scars and enlarged pores, supports a less shiny-looking finish, softens the appearance of fine lines, and supports a radiant glow.
Before getting a glycolic acid peel, you'll need to precondition your skin with an at-home regimen: a Vivant cleanser, Skin Nourishing Toner, a REt (RP)™ Retinoid corrective serum such as Exfol-A™ or Exfol-A Forté™, and daily sunscreen.
Clinical Mandelic Acid
Clinical Mandelic Acid offers a gentler approach for deeper or sensitive skin tones prone to the appearance of hyperpigmentation, while still supporting steady progress toward a more even-looking tone.
Because mandelic acid has a larger molecular structure than glycolic acid, it absorbs more slowly and is generally better tolerated. It helps lift dull surface cells without the visible irritation that can come with faster-acting acids.
For the look of discoloration, mandelic acid has a bonus. It helps improve the appearance of surface pigment and supports a more even-looking tone over time. The appearance of dark patches, sun spots, age spots, and post-breakout marks can all look improved with consistent use.
Along with its micro-exfoliating properties, mandelic acid helps keep the look of pores clear and supports a clearer-looking complexion. For acne treatment specifically, Vivant's benzoyl peroxide products include BP 3% Acne Treatment Wash and BP 10% Acne Medication Gel.
Mandelic acid has benefits for the appearance of aging skin as well. It supports surface renewal, helping skin look brighter, firmer, and smoother. At the same time, mandelic acid supports the look of elasticity and a youthful appearance.
Before getting a mandelic acid peel, you’ll need to be pre-conditioning your skin with an at-home regimen that includes a mandelic acid cleanser, a mandelic toner, and a corrective serum, plus daily SPF.
Both glycolic and mandelic peels give a boost to any even-tone regimen, supporting brighter-looking tone and helping soften the appearance of dark spots, acne marks, and discoloration. Improvements in the look of texture and radiance are bonuses.
Choose your supercharger for a luminous, healthy-looking complexion. Vivant's Glycolic Acid 20% Peel and Mandelic Acid 30% Peel are professional-use treatments available through select aestheticians and med spas. Find a skin care professional near you.
Need help customizing your brightening regimen? Book a complimentary online consultation.
Comments
Hello Jackson,
Our Mandelic Acid peel can be used to treat the skin more often than the Gycolic Acid peel.
I read the recommended re-treatment time frame (every 15 days for 4-6 months…) for glycolic acid. However, I did not see a recommendation re-treatment time frame for mandelic acid. How long should one use mandelic acid and when and how often should the user re-treat?