Peel Strength

Hi everyone ! I am a recent graduate and have learned so much from reading the forums. Very grateful for this site.
I learned in school what peels I can use in PA according to percentage. I am unclear about pH. For example Skin Scripts has peels <30 % but the pH's are very low . Am I excluded from using them ? Is a lower pH ok if the percentage is low ? Where can I get a law book specific to my state ?
Thanks !

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Kligman on January 6, 2013 at 12:57pm

Hey Donna,
PA requires that any peel performed by an esthetician (which is technically not a peel at our level) be at a percentage of 30% or lower and a pH of 3.0 or more - meaning that the acidity level of the solution not fall below 3. But just like Abby said, the longer you leave something on, sometimes the deeper it will go. I like to embrace the philosophy that less is more. You'll always want to start your client out on something with a lower percentage and higher pH until you learn how your client's skin reacts. Often getting "lighter" peels more often is far more beneficial to your client that getting a single peel which literally makes their face peel off. This way, their skin has time to heal between treatments. If your clients really wants a deep peel, it might be a matter of re-educating them and steering them towards something much gentler. Or if what they are looking for is the feel of a deep peel, glycolic definitely burns more than something with Lactic or salicylic, so it might just be a matter of perception to them.