As we age, our skin no longer has the ability to renew itself on a regular basis and needs some outside assistance to turnover new cells. It is important, then, that we prioritize exfoliation in our skincare regimens, but determining which form of exfoliation best suits your skin type can be tricky without the proper guidance.

Here is a summary of Lumen’s six exfoliating pad products, separated into two main categories: daily use (lower concentration products formulated to be used regularly as part of a normal skincare routine) and weekly use (high concentration products designed to be used as a once weekly treatment to boost already successful skincare regimens to the next level).

Daily Use Pads

1. Daily Clarifying Pads: For daily or twice daily use after cleansing, or in lieu of cleansing as a water-free cleanser, these pads are intended for the acne-prone patient who needs an anti-bacterial component and moderate exfoliation to keep pores clean and free from debris and oil that can lead to breakouts. Use on the face, chest, or back. 

2. Daily Brightening Pads: Similar to Daily Clarifying Pads, our brightening pads are meant for daily or twice daily application after cleansing or as a water-free cleanser alternative. These pads are intended for all skin types and provide gentle acids that brighten the skin, reduce redness and inflammation, and gently exfoliate to assist with product penetration and to introduce these acids and vitamins into the skin to boost the results of any skincare regimen. 

Weekly Use Pads

1. Sensitive Peel Pads: These pads are formulated for patients with dry, sensitive skin who require a gentle exfoliation once a week as well as the benefits of redness and bacteria reduction (provided through the addition of salicylic acid and mandelic acid). These pads are great for all skin conditions—including acne, rosacea, unwanted pigment, and premature aging—on the sensitive and reactive skin patient. This is a great starting point for anyone interested in a weekly boost.

2. Brightening Peel Pads: These pads mimic the acids in our Renew & ReBright in-office procedure. These can be used as a weekly part of a brightening regimen for all skin types as well as for weekly maintenance after receiving the in-office peel system procedure. 

3. Glow: These pads are amazing for texture (which includes fine lines and wrinkles), large pores, and acne. The acids used in the Glow formula provide a much more robust exfoliation, as well as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. These peel pads are not intended for Higher Fitzpatrick patients, nor are they appropriate for dry or sensitive skin. 

4. Exfoliating Peel Pads: These pads are strong and are not intended for patients who have not worked their way up to this strength. These have a high concentration of glycolic acid and an extremely low pH. We recommend starting with 5 minutes the first time you use these pads, to see how your skin responds, then gradually increasing application time every 7-14 days, only if needed to achieve the desired results.

These pads are not meant to be monotherapy but are recommended as an adjunct treatment for patients on an effective skincare regimen that address their specific skin conditions and therapeutic endpoints. The weekly peel pads are meant to boost the effectiveness and results of your daily skincare routine. 

How to Monitor Your Progress

We recommend starting your weekly application of your chosen or suggested peel pads by applying the acids in the pad to your skin and then removing them with a cleanser after a period of 10-15 minutes (with the exception of Exfoliating Peel Pads, which should only be applied for 5 minutes to start).

See how your skin responds. If you like the way your skin looks and feels, repeat that time frame again the following week. If you think your skin needs a little more help, increase your application time by 15 or 30 minutes and then remove with your cleanser. Repeat these steps every week, adjusting your time until you arrive at the Goldilocks zone for your skin, where your skin looks great, but you don't have any unwanted side effects such as dryness, redness, or flaking.

There should be many other highly active treatment products within your regimen such as vitamin A and vitamin C. Do not alter your ability to use your other daily use treatments by over-treating with your weekly peel pad. The night that you use your peel pad you should not use your treatment products in conjunction, simply apply a moisturizer after removing your peel pad acids and rest. 

How to Know When to Take a Break

If your skin is constantly dry, red, or irritated, you should take a break from your peel pad until your skin adjusts and has normal moisturization and suppleness. This means that your skin's natural barrier is once again normalized and you can gently resume your peel pad in small increments of time, gradually building or adjusting as needed based on your skin's response. 

When to Consult Your Aesthetician

Our Lux staff is always available for recommendations and guidance, if you have any questions on where to begin, please schedule some time with one of our skincare professionals to help get you started.