The essence of pyruvic peeling
Peeling based on pyruvic acid has many names - green, fruit, pyruvate. The base of the exfoliating mixture is molecules of tartaric (pyruvic) acid. The main advantages of the method: depth of penetration (comparable to TCA peeling) and hypoallergenic composition. Pyruvic acid is synthesized in the cells of the human body, so it does not cause allergic reactions.
The principle of operation consists of three stages:
- Gentle removal of the upper cell layer, which occurs due to the predominance of an acidic environment on the skin;
- Activation of the dermal regeneration process using the resulting building material for new cells.
- During chemical reactions, pyruvic acid turns into lactic acid, improves complexion and fights imperfections.
Indications and contraindications
Peeling with pyruvic acid has a wide range of indications , including:
- skin aging;
- seasonal pigmentation (freckles);
- acne of any severity;
- atonic skin type;
Pyruvic acid peeling is highly effective, so it is often recommended in cases where other types of similar procedures have proven useless.
Like any procedure involving acids, green peeling has a number of contraindications . You should refrain from going to a cosmetologist if the following circumstances exist:
- pregnancy;
- period of hormonal changes after childbirth;
- the presence of open mechanical damage of any depth;
- infectious diseases of colds and other nature;
- hypersensitivity to the component;
- inflammatory processes of internal organs;
- oncological pathologies.
Possible side effects
Pyruvic acid peeling has several side effects that are not dangerous, but it is better if you prepare for such results in advance:
- peeling, feeling of tightness, dry skin and redness;
- tingling and burning after the procedure for 2–3 days;
- increased sensitivity to sunlight and many other environmental influences.
The most dangerous side effects include spasms of the respiratory tract in people suffering from diseases of the respiratory system. This is primarily due to the pungent odor of pyruvic acid. Therefore, be sure to ventilate the room during the procedure.
At the moment, pyruvic peeling is the most popular procedure in cosmetology. This effective and versatile product helps renew the surface and middle layers of the skin.
A whole range of problems, from expression lines to pigmentation and acne, can be solved using pyruvic acid. But it is better to do this in salons with specialists who can fully carry out all stages of the procedure, including rehabilitation.
Stages of pyruvic peeling
Each cosmetic procedure consists of sequentially performing certain actions. All stages are interconnected, so failure to complete any of them leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of peeling as a whole.
- Consultation and diagnostic stage: preparation for peeling. The duration depends on the skin type and the severity of the problems. Before the procedure, the cosmetologist assesses the general condition of the skin and determines the brand and composition of the peeling. It is also necessary to determine whether the patient has any contraindications. In case of pronounced problems, the cosmetologist applies a special cream to the skin of the face a few days before the procedure - it will help activate the work of acids.
- Main stage. Peeling should be carried out by a cosmetologist in an office with good ventilation. If the room is poorly ventilated, the procedure can provoke attacks of suffocation, which is explained by the specific smell of the drug. First, a composition is used to deep cleanse and degrease the skin. A peeling mixture is applied to cleansed skin, which takes 10-15 minutes to activate. After peeling, the specialist treats the face with a neutralizer (to avoid burns) and finally rinses off the composition with cold water. The duration of the main stage is 30-40 minutes.
- Rehabilitation. This stage consists of post-peeling measures prescribed by a specialist.
To study the steps of the procedure in more detail, watch the video from YouTube. This video contains a master class on pyruvic peeling from Farida Bikchantaeva, a cosmetologist and specialist in the use of peptide technologies.
Exfoliation with acids at home
In the salon, pyruvic exfoliation costs from 2,500 rubles. With a recommended course of 10 procedures, the total cost will be about 25,000 rubles, which not everyone can afford.
To save on peeling, many people purchase special kits for home peeling. Such kits are enough for several procedures, which can significantly reduce costs.
Self-exfoliation procedure
The process of peeling at home is not much different from the salon procedure. It also consists of several stages.
The skin is thoroughly cleansed and dried. Some kits include special mousses and lotions for cleansing, which need to be left on the skin for 20-30 seconds and then rinsed off. If there is no such product, wash off your makeup with your usual soap or milk, and then treat your skin with alcohol-free lotion.- A peeling preparation is applied to the skin using a brush, cotton pad or sponge. Application order: first forehead, then cheeks, then chin. Lastly, the areas with the most sensitive skin are treated - the eyelids and wings of the nose.
- After the exposure time recommended in the instructions has passed, the acid neutralizer is applied to the skin in the reverse order. Some kits do not include a neutralizer.
- Regardless of the presence of a neutralizer, upon completion of the exposure time, the drug should be thoroughly washed off the skin with plenty of water.
- Moisturizing serums and creams with UV filters are applied to clean skin.
The rehabilitation period after home and salon procedures is no different. It is also necessary to protect the skin from climatic influences and not visit the sauna and solarium.
Cost of funds
You can purchase sets and individual preparations for pyruvic peeling in cosmetics and perfumery stores or online. When purchasing online, the price is usually lower, and you have the opportunity to read reviews from other buyers.
Prices for peeling with grape acid start at 1,300 rubles per package of 30 to 100 ml:
- Facial peeling with pyruvic acid, Biomatrix, price from 1290 rubles.
- Peeling product with pyruvate acid Pyruvic-Pro (PROMOITALIA), price from 2352 rubles.
- Piruvik Peel Classic (40%, Ph 1.5, 25 ml), from MESODERM, price from 2500 rubles.
- Pyruvic acid peeling Pirulat Peel 40% from Natinuel, price from 8175 rubles.
Can it be done at home?
Modern cosmetology gives an unequivocal answer to the question posed: no. Due to the high probability of getting a chemical burn if you handle acids carelessly, it is not recommended to perform the procedure at home. Only a professional cosmetologist will be able to determine the composition and required concentration of the substance.
Many women, despite warnings, carry out the procedure on their own. However, it is worth remembering that any wrong step can lead to dangerous consequences. Facial skin is a person’s calling card, so it is better to have qualified specialists work with it.
What cosmetology can offer
Like any other market, the cosmetology market is replete with an abundance of products. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the best of them:
- MediDerma is a Spanish brand that creates products based on mandelic acid. According to consumer reviews, it is one of the safest. The combination of mandelic and pyruvic acids accelerates the synthesis of nutrients and also improves metabolism. You can hear from some experts that over the past few years, MediDerma formulations are no longer so effective: they do not cause peeling and do not have a systemic effect. This is explained by the fact that tretinoin has disappeared from the drugs. Previously, the substance was permitted in the Russian Federation and the European Union, but is now in limited circulation. From the point of view of European doctors, MediDerma peels are now safer, although they do not have an immediate effect.
- Mesopharm – peeling products containing a mixture of orange extract and pyruvic acid. The brand produces two types of peelings, differing in concentration. A 40% solution of pyruvic acid is indicated in the presence of pronounced skin problems, and 20% is suitable for creating a slight cosmetic effect.
- Peels from Promoitalia are also in demand. The concentration and size of tartaric acid molecules are sufficient to start the skin regeneration process, but at the same time, the peeling is gentle and does not damage the epidermis.
- Kosmoteros brand products have such a gentle composition that they are recommended for use by those who decide to undergo the procedure at home. When you purchase a peeling mixture, it comes with detailed protocols for using the products. Kosmoteros is used by professionals when working with sensitive skin.
- The concentration of pyruvic acid in Enerpeel peeling reaches 50%. This peeling is suitable for those with oily or combination skin. The weak electrical conductivity of the base substance ensures the slowing down of protons, which leads to a non-aggressive and effective effect.
- RedPieel is the latest development of scientists. The peeling contains:
- Pyruvic acid;
- Antioxidant complex of substances obtained from blood orange (hence the name of the procedure – “red peeling”);
- Gel-like solvent-fluid, which is an alternative to harmful ethyl alcohol;
- Retinoid, which increases skin resistance to ultraviolet radiation during rehabilitation;
- Hyaluronic acid is a substance included in almost every new generation product. Judge for yourself: it moisturizes, tightens the skin, smoothes wrinkles and has an antiseptic effect.
Post-peeling care
Skin care measures during the rehabilitation process are determined individually. The cosmetologist takes into account the initial condition of the skin (its type and problem) and the intensity of the procedure. According to the last criterion, superficial and medium peels are distinguished.
With superficial treatment, the epidermis is subjected to a slight impact, and therefore rehabilitation is faster. The complex of restorative measures is limited to the use of creams with a moisturizing effect and sunscreens.
Median exfoliation causes more damage to the epidermis. As a side effect, consumers note severe peeling of the skin and changes in the skin. It is not advisable to touch your face during the recovery period. You should also avoid direct sunlight. To care after such a procedure, you will need a line of products for sensitive skin.
Preparing for the acid peeling procedure for the face
Regardless of whether you plan to cleanse at home or go to a salon for a deeper acid peel, it is necessary to prepare the skin.
You should start using acid products every day a month (at least one to two weeks in advance). This is necessary so that the skin gets used to such effects.
With improper preparation or lack thereof, acid peeling can be either insufficiently effective, that is, very superficial, or too deep, and therefore painful.
The best choice would be products that have a high pH level and low acid content. These can be mild pre-peelings, creams, cleansers and serums.
If these are BHA acids, then the minimum effective indicators will be 1-2% with a pH of 3-4. In the presence of comedones and severe pollution, the pH decreases and the percentage increases to 5. For AHA acids, the figures will be 5–9% with a pH of 3–4.
Read material on the topic: Almond peeling for the face: features of the procedure
How often can you do it
Pyruvic acid peeling is a procedure with a cumulative effect. To obtain a lasting effect, one procedure is not enough. The optimal treatment period with this type of peeling is 10-15 procedures per year. Their frequency depends on the problems to combat which the procedure was needed.
To get rid of pigmentation, one procedure every two weeks is enough. In this case, pyruvic acid alone is not enough; a set of measures is required. Problematic skin needs one session every 7-14 days. To combat the signs of aging, you will need at least one procedure every 2 weeks. In the absence of pronounced problems, to maintain the cosmetic effect, you need less than one procedure every 30 days.
Cost of acid peeling in the salon
As for the cost of the session, it depends on what acid was used during the procedure, its concentration, the products used after cleansing, and the region in which the clinic is located. In addition, the price is influenced by the prestige of the salon, as well as the qualifications of the specialist. However, on average, the cost of one peeling is 2,500–16,000 rubles.
In addition, the price is also affected by what type of facial cleansing was performed. For example, a superficial one will cost 2500–3500 rubles, a middle one – 3000–5000 rubles, a deep one – 5000–6000 rubles.
Peeling using trichloroacetic acid will cost about 6,000–7,000 rubles. The retinoic acid procedure is one of the most expensive. You will have to pay about 11,000–16,000 rubles for it.
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