Product Description
Formulated Specifically for Pigmentation Problems
The HQ+ peel is formulated specifically with pigmentation in mind because it has added ingredients which help to fade pigmentation differences and even skin tone. If you suffer form old acne marks, age spots, or melasma, this peel will be the most effective in helping you.
Combination of Salicylic and Lactic
The HQ+ peel is a combination of chemicals in a single peel. This peel contains salicylic acid, lactic acid and resorcinol (another skin-peeling chemical) which together constitute a very adjustable peel which lends itself well to repeat applications. It is similar in most ways to the glycolic acid peel, but there are certain important differences.
The Science Behind How it Works
HQ+ is a depigmentation treatment based on the inhibition of tyrosinase, a basic enzyme in the melanin formation process. Several of the active Ingredients present in HQ+ formula act by blocking this enzyme, even by inverting the metabolic process of the transformation chain. Its principle action is the elimination of melanin patches on the face (melasma and chloasma). The melanin activity is regulated, causing the cells to slow down melanin production and function in a more uniform way.
Beneficial for Clogged Pores, Aging Skin, Severe Acne and More
This treatment is also particularly beneficial for clogged pores, thickened and aging skin, severe acne, and environmentally damaged skin. By decreasing oil production and opening clogged sebaceous follicles, it can contribute significantly to the healing process of acne. Suitable for most skin types, the HQ+ peel can be used on the face, neck, hands, and upper chest.
Kim D. – :
As a veteran of medical grade skincare procedures, I am delighted with the results of the HQ+ Peel, which I did after a 70% Lactic Peel.
It’s so important to follow pre and post peel directions. I never would have attempted these as at home procedures if I’d not done them at a Medspa dozens of times already. Peeling aggressively can do tremendous damage to your skin, so I’d caution users to err on the side of being conservative.
You’ll get results that are 1000% better if you start with skin that’s cleansed and prepped. A proper facial with microdermabrasion will make a world of difference. It’s worth the investment to have a clean, fresh canvas for your product.
I’m beyond delighted with the results so far and the amazing price point on SL’s range of products. I purchased 100ml of 70% Lactic, 30 ml of GlycoLac 60 and 30 ml HQ+ – plus I received a generous sample of Salicylic 20. All of that cost *less* than a single peel with my Medical Aesthetician in San Francisco!
I am Asian with a fair complexion, and sensitive skin. These products are gentle enough for me and VERY strong – I see the results and will continue to use!
Joel – :
This stuff is amazing! All my ‘permanent’ acne scarring has faded to the point of only being visible from certain angles in very bright light. My treatment thus far has been 3 months.
My method:
Every 3 days:
- Hot shower to open pores, shave.
- Use md formulations glycolic acid cleaner (very weak glycolic acid product as a primer, I find it allows for a deeper peel). Wash it off before Hq+ peel!
- 4 minute Hq+ peel.
- Nivea active comfort moisturiser afterwards.
Feel like I’ve got a new set of skin each time. x100 better than all the expensive products I’ve been prescribed in the past. You do amazing things Skin Laboratory!
Sara – :
my skin just burned with this and the salic acid by the company. it will work well with not so sensitive skin. just be careful you don’t burn your skin!
happy costumer “yamila” (miami) – :
work perfect i see the change inmediatly my skin have couple sun spots but in few days complety dessapear
excelent product , come on time
haaapy – :
I wish I found this stuff years ago. I had a surgical scar on my upper check and arm when I removed birth marks, but was unhappy with the scars left. I used this stuff 1-2x a week and in one month I noticed a huge difference. They seem to be shrinking in size and length. At this rate, if I continue to use this peel, it may disappear!! I also use Philosophy Miracle skin moisturizer and cream after I wash off the peel so that the skin rejuvenates. I’ve learned before starting this treatment that skin can be reprogrammed if you peel it and put something good on top so it can grow back healthier. So that’s what I did and by luck I found the Philosophy Miracle stuff that’s helped my skin heal.
I love the results so far and I can’t wait for a year to pass to see if the scars disappears altogether.
haaapy – :
I wish I found this stuff years ago. I had a surgical scar on my upper check and arm when I removed birth marks, but was unhappy with the scars left. I used this stuff 1-2x a week and in one month I noticed a huge difference. They seem to be shrinking in size and length. At this rate, if I continue to use this peel, it may disappear!! I also use Philosophy Miracle skin moisturizer and cream after I wash off the peel so that the skin rejuvenates. I’ve learned before starting this treatment that skin can be reprogrammed if you peel it and put something good on top so it can grow back healthier. So that’s what I did and by luck I found the Philosophy Miracle stuff that’s helped my skin heal.
I love the results so far and I can’t wait for a year to pass to see if the scars disappears altogether.
Lora (Illinois) – :
I have used the glycolic peel and the glycolic/lactic acid peel from this company and love both of them and have gotten wonderful results using them. But I got this peel hoping that it would be a stronger peel that would do as it said and fade the light pigmented spots I have from the sun. I’ve used it several times now and the only thing I can say is it really, really stinks and doesn’t seem to do anything. It smells like gasoline and takes my breath away when I put it on. It doesn’t burn or turn my skin pink at all, not like the other two peels I have used. My skin doesn’t feel soft and tighter or softer as when I used the their other peels. It does seem to dry my skin more so if you have oily skin it will take care of that. I have dryer skin so maybe this is not the product for me. But now what to do about my sun spots??
S. De Jong (Orange City, IA) – :
Great Product! I have always had larger pores and now that I am 45 they seemed to be getting even larger. I have to admit when I used the first time it was painful and I had a hard time keeping on my face for even a minute. It was well worth the pain. I immeadiately saw a difference in my pore size. I can’t wait to continue using if I can see a difference after only one use.
C00kie (Minneapolis, MN) – :
I’m 30 years old with oily, acne-prone skin. I have some sun damage, large pores, and mild scaring from acne. I’ve been going to a salon to get peels 2-3 times a year for the last few years. Lately I’ve cut back on the expense, but have been missing how great they made my skin look. I used to especially like getting the Jessner peel.
While this peel isn’t as strong as the Jessner peel I’ve had done in the Salon, it is a good peel. I’ve used it once a week for 4 weeks. Each time I get some flaking on day 3 that lasts for a few days. I’ve been doing the peel on Sunday nights, and by the next Friday I look great! I’ve noticed slight improvements after each week.
Knowing that it takes 6 weeks for skin cells to completely turn-over, I’m excited to see how my skin improves over the next few weeks.
I’d buy this product, but only if you’re not new to chemical peels. Otherwise, it can be quite scary. My boyfriend was watching me while I did it one night, and I said “”want to try?”" I brushed a bit on his face, and after about 10 seconds he was complaining about how strong it burned and wanted to rinse it off. He made some comment about how women are crazy to do that, yet he’s been complimenting me on my skin. go figure..
B. McIntyre (Birmingham, AL) – :
Two peels and I must say my skin is looking better. Just a nice soft glow to my skin that wasn’t there before. My skin seems to drink up moisturizer better now instead of it just sitting on top of my skin. Pores look smaller and discolorations just a tad lighter, if any. I’ve used it 7 days apart, and it does frost a little on my skin. It really doesn’t burn that much. I’ve left it on for 2 and 4 minutes. I must say it seems to be doing something.
Lindsay (RI) – :
I was a little skeptical when I ordered this product… I’m 27 years old and have battled acne for about 15 years. I’ve been on everything from accutane (which worked but was harsh) to various face washes, benzoyl peroxides, etc…. I’ve tried it all. I scar very easily and have had moderate red scars, large pores and indentations from my past breakouts. I still break out occasionally but purchased this primarily for scars. I actually bought 2 products from this company, the glyco-lac 60 along with this HQ+ peel.
My routine:
1st day: Left glyco-lac 60 on for 1 min. Moisturized with Cerave lotion (I prefer the one in the tub)
4 days later: Left glyco-lac 60 on for 2 mins. Moisturized with Cerave lotion.
After this, I already noticed a difference in my skin. My makeup was going on smoother and I could see my marks weren’t as noticable.
4 days later: Used HQ+ peel. Left on for 1 minute. This peel was much stronger and burned more than the glyco-lac peel. Make sure you use lotion with SPF, and try not to wear makeup the next day to allow your skin to heal. I will wait 7 days to use the glyco-lac again.
I have noticed a reduction in my pore size, overall smoother skin and can see my scars beginning to fade. The pimples I had are slowly fading. I even noticed the wrinkles on my forehead are not as obvious. I am going to stick with this routine but would recommend this to anyone with acne/scars.
T. Hodgson – :
My skin really responded well to this. I have only done it once, only left it one about 10 seconds, had some dryness after for about 10 days, a few breakouts, but now my does look and feel nice. For me it seemed to make my skin a bit oilier. I will do it again soon and report my continued results..
P. Tjuradi (indonesia) – :
I was always out of door without any sunscreen to protect my bare face. I learnt my lesson well. At the age of 46, l am seeing uninvited guests of freckles, dark spots visiting and staying on my cheeck. I went on Amazon to search for a lightening agent and l came across this peel. Most reviews are positive ones so l decided to give it a try. I felt nothing except tingling, burning sensation the 1st time l applied. But the 2nd time l applied was 4 days after my laser treatment (so you can see how desperate l am). This time in addition to the tingling, burning sensation, my skin peels. 3 flakes of dead old skin came off like scales. My face looks a lot brighter. I was happy and didnt mind the scale like peeling. I had my 3rd application last week, the peel continues for a few days though not in scales. My dark spots are still there but not as dark. I dont know if it is due to the peeler or the laser or the skin whitener l am use or the combination of all 3. Thats the reason l gave this product only 4 stars. I should not forget to mention this peel is also light enough not to cause reddening like lobster shell that would embarres you to go anywhere the very next day. Nevertheless my entire skin is whiter, lighter, brighter, fresher and younger…
lora – :
I have used 3 different peels from Skin Laboratory and have been very pleased with them. So I naturally thought moving up to this peel would be the best since it supposedly is the strongest…maybe in smell. To me it smells like gasoline and takes my breath away when I apply it. But it just doesn’t do anything like the other peels like the glycolic acid or Lactic acid peel does. It doesn’t even turn my face pink like the others. I have left it on several minutes and it barely stings. So I don’t know whether my skin has adjusted to peels and just doesn’t respond to this or not. I was hoping to fade the light sun spots on my face but it won’t even do that after several uses. Disappointed, I’m going back to the glycolic or lactic acid peels. Wish they had one of those in the level 4.
Steph – :
I have been using this for about 2 months now and have seen a drastic improvement in the size of my pores. I feel like I have tried everything to shrink the pores on my nose and this is the only thing that has worked. I also have a little scaring from trying to remove black heads and I have seen the scars start to smooth out too. I went out without any foundation today for the first time in a long time! You won’t see results right away but if you’re patient and use the product consistently, the results are amazing! I can’t wait to see how my skin looks in 2 more months.
vika – :
I am a 29 year old female and I had acne until my early 20s. I was left with acne scars and hyperpigmentation, which is why i bought this product about 4 months ago. I was a little apprehensive because of the Hydroquinone it contains but decided to give it a try anyways. I followed the instructions carefully, I used it every 10 days and would leave the product on the maximum amount of time which is 4 minutes. I experienced VERY little frosting. It does sting, but it is mild. My skin got red for a few minutes but there was almost no flaking. The skin feels very clean and tight, the pores feel smaller. The skin looks vibrant for like a week but that’s about it. I havent noticed ANY difference on my acne scars or any improvement on my complexion. According to the makers of this product “The HQ+ peel is formulated specifically with pigmentation in mind because it has added ingredients which help to fade pigmentation differences and even skin tone. If you suffer form old acne marks, age spots, or melasma, this peel will be the most effective in helping you.” I was not expecting a miracle or anything but I would expect to see at least some improvement, if not with my scars, at least for it to even out my skin tone. Overall I am disappointed with this product. I have tried the oil of olay regenerist microdermabrasion and peel system and have gotten better results for a fraction of the price. I will not be buying this product again.
Pretty_Sexy – :
I love this stuff, but as mentioned with any chemical/ acid peels, if you are of African American or Black descendants be very careful using this stuff!!!
MayaP – :
I had developed melasma on my face, on my cheeks, forehead and my upper lip in the last few years. My doctor recommended five rounds of IPL laser treatments which would cost about $1,000. As I was saving up for the treatments, I started gathering information online about how to treat melasma at home. One of the recommendations was to get chemical peels. I started with peel level 1 from this brand, and it didn’t do much for my melasma although it helped my overall appearance of skin. Then I went straight to level 4 and after using it only once I saw results. I applied the liquid only on the parts where I have the darkening of the skin with a cotton pad, and I leave it for about 10-20 seconds. Then I rinsed it off with plenty of water. My skin was more red the first time I used it so I am assuming that my skin is getting adjusted. Hopefully next time I can leave it even longer. I use this peel in combination with skin lightening creams and my melasma is at least 50% gone. With creams alone I saw very little improvement. I highly recommend this peel not only for the treatment of melasma but my skin looks MUCH younger and brighter. I spend at least $8,000/year on beauty products and treatments and I have tried hundreds of different products ( I have many reviews even on amazon alone ), and nothing has made such a huge difference on my skin as much as using this peel did for me. The redness went away after 1 minute and I had almost no recovery time. Note – I did not experience “peeling” of the skin. I am not sure if the skin is supposed to regenerate through actual peeling of some kind, and maybe you would need to leave it on longer for that effect. I am getting the results that I want and more with only leaving it for 10-20 seconds on weekly basis. Since I only used it twice and got 50% reduction of the pigmentation, I am pretty sure that if I keep using it I will get even more off. But even as it is right now I am a million times happier about my face.
sharla – :
I first gave a dissapointed review, now I have just erased it and added this one, I was conveinced that since my skin wasnt falling off in clumps {like with tca peel} that it wasnt gonna level out my skin which has fine pit like scars from acne, not really huge ones but there’s sooo many of them. Well I used 3-4 days in a row increasing up to 10 minutes the last day, and it made my skin taught and smooth as can be, I knew after it peeled some that it wouldnt be that tight or smooth, well it never really turned color or peeled, more like flaked, so lightly i think nobody but me noticed it, still, i saw results, it somehow seems to work from underneath the skin revitalizing it and it made pores and scars signifigently smaller!!! I waited about 4 days and then put on another layer for about 8 minutes. again my skin looks better already. I cant wait to see what it will look like in 6 weeks…if you have pitted scars I do recommend this, mine are not very deep or wide, but it has helped me.
Rob – :
It came on time and is the HQ+ peel unlike the HQ that some of u got. I have blemishes from old acne no active acne. I have applied it twice with a week’s interval. I am an Indian guy in the late 20s with oily skin and medium brown complexion.I use UltraClerasil face wash twice a day which has stopped new outbreaks.
I can see some change. But the caveat is:
Don’t keep it for more than 4-5 min. More time doesn’t equal more recovery. It’s okay but u will feel the burn. The area around the skin will be red (may be even for 2 days). Caution for ppl with white skin, the redness may be significant. Wash with large amt of water and apply (I use Cetaphil (noncomedogenic)) moisturizer.
Not sure if its the resorcinol, but u’ll feel some vapor from the application. I recommend protecting ur eyes during application.
You will see visible peeling which u can pull off using tweezers. You will see this significantly on the 3-4th day. So, if u work u may wanna apply it on Wed and by Sun u r through with peeling.
Yes, its a bit irritating. But it seems effective. I am gonna continue using it and will post more later.
Good luck guys..!!!
M. Kelley (Newcastle, WA ) – :
I love skin laboratory peels! Great price and very effective if directions are followed. It has only been a few weeks for the HQ+ Gel peel so the jury is still out on how well it treates melasma. But overall, I am very happy with these products!
sanpedro – :
Keep in mind when buying this product not to expect it to be as strong as a doctor office prescribed chemical peel. It is a good product to purchase for occasional home use. They sent this product pretty quick to me. It made my face burn just slightly, but my face felt tighter. I really liked it. I would purchase it again.
cher – :
I have people tell me that I look a lot younger than I am, I love this stuff. For people who do not like this, then you probably do not have the skin for it, because this stuff works!!!!Thanks for inventing this….
Anna E. – :
I use the HQ+ peel every week and leave it on for 4 minutes. Some weeks it produces more peeling than others. I am very pleased with the results I am seeing. I don’t like to wear foundation so I do the peels to even out my skin tone. I have used Retin-A for 32 years. Due to the fact that I am a side sleeper the Retin-A wears off on the side on my face leaving a halo where the Retin-A works and where it does not. I have sun spots and hyperpigmentation around the outer edges of my face. This peel is fading those spots beautifully!
Nadina (Washington, DC USA) – :
I used this product every week or so for about 8 months in an attempt to fade acne scars. It definitely helped make progress. Aveeno moisturizer helped make redness and irritation practically a non-issue, although there was definitely increased flakiness the next couple of days, especially noticeable when wearing make-up. I agree with other reviewers that the smell is strong and the sensation is not pleasant, but nothing that I considered a problem as long as it was doing its job.
All of this would have been fine if there were not another alternative on the market- but I have now upgraded and am not turning back! Olay Regenerist MicroDermabrasion and Peel Kit is a miracle product by comparison. It does a similar job of fading scars, but instead of making skin flaky, dull, and irritated, reveals a healthy, radiant glow! I thought the most I could hope for was to fade my hyperpigmentation, but now I see my face is capable of so much better! What’s more, it is also affordable and quick, but without that nasty smell. Whatever your skin issues, check it out!
Liane – :
For years I’ve had ugly brown patches on my forehead and cheeks, and one on my nose. A level 2 lactic acid peel helped some, but they were still visible, even under heavy makeup.
I had not wanted to do the HQ+ peel because hydroquinone is supposedly carcinogenic. But I was soooooooo tired of looking like a pinto pony!
So, first time I used it, I rolled it onto the spots (I bought the roll on size) and left it on for about a minute. It burned like crazy but nothing I could not handle. If I’d applied it all over my face it might have been too much.
Not much difference the first time. I did notice that the lines in my forehead (where most of the spots are) seemed to be less noticeable. But the second time I did it, which was 3 days ago, I left it on the spots for the full 4 minutes. It burned! I rinsed with lots of cold water and moisturized.
The next day, the spots felt “rough” and were darker. I expected this so I wasn’t alarmed. By the next morning, two of the spots had scabbed over, and today, they are flaking off and underneath is pink skin – no brown, just pink, new skin. The other spots are not scabbed, but they are flaky and peeling too.
I am ecstatic! I will update after the next peel. I am anticipating a flawless complexion before I get through this bottle!
Thank you Skin Laboratory!
Hotmomma – :
Just be careful of how long it is on your face, get a personal fan to cool it down, but it does work. Try it once a month for the first 2 just to make sure u can get use to it.
Nicole – :
I just want to say that I will never again pay someone else to do my chem peels! This product is amazing. It does what it says it will and it is way cheaper than going to a salon, and on top of that you don’t have to make an appointment
I want to reiterate that it does what it says it will. Don’t be stupid. The instructions say leave the product on for 1-4 minutes. [10 minutes is the absolute maximum time any trained professional is legally allowed to leave a peel on] If you leave it on longer than the instructions say, you WILL BURN YOUR SKIN. Bottom line.
[I write that in rebuttal to all of the negative reviews written by people who left the product on for 30 minutes and don't understand why they suffered skin burns]
All in all, I would definitely recommend this peel to anyone with acne or acne scaring.
Majtron – :
First:
I’m really disappointed in Skin Laboratory for leading their customers to pay MORE for their products here. That’s right, this peel is cheaper on their website (shipping cost is the same). Skin care businesses rely on customer loyalty. If a product is good, you can charge a lot for it and you can even have crappy customer service…people will still come back over and over again to make purchases if the products worked well for them. So I understand that business is business, but Skin Laboratory has seemed responsive and helpful in past customer reviews and I’ll admit this gave me the impression that they “”cared”" about customers. Forty bucks including shipping is A LOT to spend on 30ml of something I’d never even tried before. But I went for it because the company seemed trustworthy and genuine, and the other peels I’ve received from them arrived quickly and have rendered great results. Definitely feeling a little “”burned”" here (no pun intended), and won’t be purchasing from them again.
Second:
About the peel itself — I’ve used this once on my chest, not yet on my face. (I used SL’s GlycoLac on my face only a couple of days prior to trying this one and it felt a little too sensitive so I didn’t want to push it with a new peel.) Granted, it’s only been one peel, but there have been no changes or other noticeable results whatsoever. This isn’t one of those immediate results peels like the glyco peels tend to be, but I’m still a little surprised that there is absolutely NOTHING to indicate I’d used anything on my chest at all. The ingredients aren’t in question; it’s definitely potent! It stings and it smells bad. I’ll report back after trying this for a month. “
C. Matos – :
Wonderful product so far!!! I applied the HQ peel 4 days ago, and each morning I see my skin better and better, I really like the results. It is a good product for people with hormonal acne like me.
Make sure you read all the instructions before your first application, because there are certain products like retin A, that you should not apply 2 days before applying the peeling.
R. Beaudoin (Nashua) – :
It is difficult to find an acne/scar product that is able to live up to the promises that it makes, but this product does its job. I have suffered from acne/scars for years and this product has done a fantastic job at reducing the appearance of my scars. Although it is made of harsh chemicals and does leave a brief burning sensation, this product has done a great job and I would recommend it.
Rae – :
Great product. They need to sell a bigger bottle. My skin is very sensitive, but it did not hurt my skin. I bought this with the glycolic acid, and can use each of them once a week on separate days. It does everything it says it will do. I would like to buy a bottle larger than 30 ml.
Serocca – :
I have tried ALL the home peels – this is by far the best! It is also less harsh. I cannot rate this peel enough. As with all peels you will look worse before better but the downtime is way less than the others.I applied NIA24 skin strengthening complex straight after which is what (good) dermatologists give you after professional peels.
FYI I ALWAYS PREP the day before with salicylic acid to get the best and more effective peel…. one more thing – leave on for 4 mins, it didn’t hurt one bit and I frosted straight away!
M. Sobeck (FL) – :
Always a good value, nice shipping rates too. I am not to the point where I can use this one yet but I have been very happy with the other peels that I when ahead and ordered this one. I started with 20% salicylic, no visual change aside from soft skin. 2cd peel was glyco-lac with mild peeling. The neutralizer and the prep are worth it. *TONS of sunscreen as these peels remove the protective-skin
S. Cox (Utah) – :
This is the first peel I have tried. It arrived very quickly(four days). I read the directions and applied it with a cotton ball, I noticed an improvement immeadiatly. My skin looks great. I have tried microdermabrasion in salons, one application of this peel was better that months of microderms. I love, love, love, it!!!!! I cant wait for next week to do another one.
S. Danielson (Colorado) – :
This is my 2nd order of this roll on peel product. I have fair, sensitive skin and this quick peel has helped smooth and lessen fine lines and discoloration. I have some acne scars and it also seems to be helping those. I use the peel about once a week for 4 minutes and follow it up with a PH balance toner, then emu oil. A bottle last for about 5 peels for me. A great value and product!
S. Haggett (New York) – :
I am happy with this product…however, the Amazon page that I ordered it from said it was Level 3. What I actually received was Level 4. Also the bottle says to follow the enclosed instruction card, and there was no card or any type of instructions for use in the package.
jet – :
I love this product. I plan to purchase it again as soon as possible. I have old scars left over from when i was a teenager, this was the first product i used that was gentle enough and also worked great peeling the skin after using it on a regular basis..Thank you!! I can now where clothes without sleeves!!
amdonlon – :
Works great. My first time I did between 1-2 minutes with minimal peeling and great results. Second time I did a full 5 minutes, the next day my face was irritated around my mouth and close to my eyes. These areas peeled, BUT the results were still great. If you use the product for the full 5 minutes expect a few days of recovery. Im sure the reaction is different for each person, but over all I am very satisfied with the results, reduced the appearance of fine lines and improved my overall skin tone reducing sun damage.
Landin – :
The skin certainly look a lot better after using. The skin will tighten and than flake off gently. There is very little harshness to this and zero hiding from your co-workers the next few days. Of course this means you have to use it a few times to get nice results… and boy… are they nice results!
D. Ross (Kentucky) – :
This is my second time ordering from them and i must say i am still impressed on how quickly they shipped and i received my item. It arrived yesterday 2 days ahead of earliest estimated date. Also item is exactly as described and I will continue to order future products from them. Great products and great fast service and prices.
Automata – :
I am half asian, half white male with a lot of old acne scars, but no active acne. My skin has a lot of indents with hyper pigmentation. This is my first time using any sort of peel. Here is my experience with the product:
Treatment 1:
Day 1: I received LEVEL 4, just like many other users have noted. I ignored the warning of not to shave 24 hours before. I applied the product in the recommended fashion, first my forehead working down my left cheek, then up my right cheek, and some on my nose. Immediately after applying it began to sting, but I toughed it out and left it on for 3 minutes before dunking my head into a sink of cool water and then gently splashed more water on my face. My cheeks had frosted, but after some more rinsing started to regain their normal color. My skin felt alright, and my face was a little red, but not much different than normal. I applied moisturizer and some sun screen, not that I get much sun anyways.
Day 2: I woke up the next day and my face felt funny like the skin was tight. I looked in the mirror and my face was completely red, especially my cheeks. It was obvious that my skin was really tight because I could hardly physically force a smile in a mirror, much less any other emotion. Luckily I knew for a fact that other than a job interview in a five days, I didn’t need to be anywhere. Surely it would heal by that interview.
Day 3: My face feels like leather and the redness has become darker. My cheeks are starting to peel, but I’m not going to force it. Remaining calm, still have four days until job interview.
Day 3 1/2: I couldn’t help it. I felt trapped in my house, I had to take a bath and soak my face. It loosened a lot of the tight skin and I could see skin flakes coming off as I gently massaged my face with my finger tips. Yeah, I know I should have let it come off naturally. After the bath the skin under the areas that had peeled off looked noticeably smoother, and my face as a whole look like I had a bad sun burn(but not made out of leather as previously). After drying off and applying moisturizer/sunscreen my face appeared at least presentable. I was still flaking. After this I made a promise to myself that I would only do 2 minutes for my next treatment and work my way up from there(cutting the time I leave it on the skin by 1/3 for those that are bad at math). I would also wait until Day 10 before beginning treatment 2.
Day 4: After taking a shower I looked in the mirror, my acne scars were much shallower. The redness has mostly subsided, but I’m still peeling in areas. At this point I’m reasonably happy with the result and will definitely try further treatments. I can’t wait to see the full results after a full 6 treatments.
A. Irving (Wisconsin) – :
I bought this product in an attempt to treat a condition I have called keratosis pilaris, which is bumps and redness on the back of the arms. I thought I would give it a shot as nothing else has worked. It may have had minor effects on the bumpiness but for the cost I probably won’t buy it again. I applied the product and felt no pain whatsoever on the back of my arms, I washed it off after 5 minutes as instructed and moisturized after that. It sounds like it works better for acne and may be worth the cost for that.
jmilyeohnson – :
I have used this peel 4 times now, in tandem with a mild skin bleaching cream (and a ton of moisturizer and SPF of course), and I have had great results. I have had acne for over 10 years, and some changes in hormones over the past year has left me with a TON of scars to deal with, and this peel has been great for treating those scars, as well as drying up some of my acne.
That said, you should be very careful with this peel. It is very harsh, and even if you feel like your skin can take it, you really shouldn’t use it any more often than every 10-14 days. Also, hydroquinone is a controversial ingredient, and has been linked to skin cancer in concentrations higher than 4%. I’m considering switching to lactic acid peels instead.
Just thought I’d share my concern. It’s probably fine if you follow the directions and do not use it too often.
P. Igwe (MI) – :
I give the seller high marks for delivery and packaging. However, after using this product for one month (finishing the entire contents) I did not see any positive results. I would even venture to say that it made my situation worse. I am now trying to get rid of the scars left from the burning of my acne.
Sara in Orlando – :
This stuff works GREAT! I ran out of it and haven’t used it in about 90 days. My skin is now dull and patchy with light melasma. Earlier last year when I used it faithfully every 10 days over a couple months, I had the most radiant skin I’ve had in my entire life! It gives you such a healthy glow and clears your skin of future breakouts – especially in the Winter months when skin can appear “gray” and lifeless. One bottle lasts a long time. Make sure you use a heavy moisturizer free of hydroxy/retinol (or any other harsh ingredients) immediately afterwards and for a couple days after. Happy Peeling!
K – :
I’ve used this product for about 4 months and wanted to wait a while before I wrote any reviews. I have VERY oily skin and had pretty bad acne growing up, I do have some acne scarring. I decided to try this to see if anything, maybe would help decrease some of the oil.
A lot of the other reviews I’ve read talk about a burning when applied, it was more of a sting for me. After the first time I used it I noticed my skin cleared up within a few days. Over the course of the months, it has helped clear up the excessive oil on my face. I do still have breakouts, but I’d say this really did help my skin look overall clearer and more radiant. I was hoping I would see a difference in my scarring but not much has changed there. I will probably continue using this.
LMC6882 – :
This product is very strong. Great for deeper scars and discolorations. I’ve used this product a few times and there were two occasions when the product was a little too strong and caused my skin to turn red for a few days as a result of the irritation. It was kind of embarrassing to walk around with this huge stain on my face, however, by day 3, my skin started to peel and by the next morning, all of that dead skin peeled off to reveal newer, fresher skin underneath without any scarring or discoloration. Works great on scars and hyperpigmentation on the body, including back and chest (for those who have had acne on these areas). Despite all that, I was happy with the fact that it eliminated my acne blemishes. I give it 4 stars, however, because this product contains hydroquinone which has been linked to various side effects. Some studies have shown that this chemical can cause the growth of cancer cells. I have decided not to purchase this product anymore (despite its effectiveness) due to this fact and will look for products containing more natural ingredients, like arbutin-a and kojic acid.
KC – :
This stuff works! I’ve used them all- glycolic, lactic, tca, jessner with not so great results. Either it did nothing or I burned my face and created the dark areas that I was trying to get rid of in the first place. I am 48 with asian blood which means Im prone to hyper pigmentation. I would get a little white head that would never come to surface and I of course would worry it and pick it. The result would be an ugly brown spot. This product has cleared my skin so I no longer have bumps/white heads. So it gets to the source of the problem. It also through only two uses have noticeably diminished my dark spots and cleared my skin. It looks so much better I’m so pleased after over a year of trial and error to have found this product! My only caution would be not to get too overzealous. Apply a maximum of 2 layers and leave on no longer than 2 minutes. Adjust to your skin. I applied a little too much in one area and created a hot spot (frosting) its peeling and there’s no damage but it is a STRONG peel. It would be more effective to apply more frequently with a lighter hand and for a shorter time. The cumulative effect will pay off.
SPAADDICT – :
I WENT BACK AND FORTH ON WHETHER I SHOULD BUY THIS OR THE LEVEL 4 BHA. THE BHA WON AND IT WAS THE FIRST PRODUCT I PURCHASED FROM SKIN LABS, WHICH ILL ADD I’M VERY IMPRESSED BY THE COMPANY. I’LL ALSO REVIEW THE BHA. AFTER I FINISHED THE BHA I PURCHASED THE HQ. FROM THE FIRST APPLICATION I WAS ALREADY IMPRESSED AND NOW ONLY AFTER 2 OR 3 TREATMENTS I HAVE AMAZING RESULTS. I HAVE PRETTY TAN SKIN AND I SUFFER FROM ACNE SCARING. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A YEAR I CAN LEAVE MY HOME WITHOUT COVER UP. I’VE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE HQ HAS REALLY DECREASED MY SEBUM PRODUCTION WHICH HAS ALSO DECREASE MY BREAKOUTS. IF YOUR LOOKING TO FADE OUR SCARING AND/OR DECREASE OIL PRODUCTION I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT AS AN ESTHETICIAN.
Better-love – :
This product has truly improved my skin. My issues WERE ingrown hairs and shaving bumps which both resulted in hyper-pigmentation of my skin. This product has significantly faded my hyper-pigmentation and, because of the exfoliation ingredients, stopped my ingrown hairs and shaving bumps from occurring. I use it every 5 days and use noxzema facial wash and salicylic acid pads daily. I’m hoping all the years of hyper-pigmentation have faded by the summer and I can switch to using it once a month to maintain the results. I’ve used every skin lightener for hyer-pigmentation and shaving bump product for the last 14 years and none have gotten the results that hq+ peel has in only 1 month.
Dani – :
This peel is awesome. I’ve applied it twice and I have to admit it BURNS! I’ve only been able to keep it on for about 3 minutes max. Thats all you need because it WORKS! I got it because I used the 35% Glycolic Acid peel and although that cleared my skin of acne it didnt remove the dark marks.
This peel in just 2 applications has significantly removed a majority of the marks! I’m amazed! I frost with this peel which I didnt with the weaker glycolic acid peel, and in 2-3 days I start to peel. keep your face moisturized while you are healing. I can’t wait to see what the final results of this peel will be.
Its VERY strong so move quickly in your application because you don’t need it on very long.
P. Schmidt (Pittsburgh) – :
The product seems to be working with no ill side effects.
The only complaint is the roller ball sticks.
Dani – :
I did a glycolic acid peel at 35% prior to this peel for 6 weeks and I saw an improvement in the quality of my skin with that. But it didnt remove the dark marks and I never had any frosting which is what I am aiming to do. I am now giving this one a try. I just applied my 2nd application of it (on week 2) and immediately upon application I get frosting with this one. I have to admit it was a bit scary at first because when you rinse its still there until you apply moisturizer.
The 35% glycolic acid was milder. it felt like itching, but this one BURNS! OMG! this last time it was burning so much that I was tearing up, but you dont leave it on for long just a couple minutes and then you rinse. and once I apply the moisturizer it feels good. I had some peeling with the first application which is great. we will see what happens with this 2nd application. I cant imagine not getting excellent results this this peel. I will update as I progress. so far I am pleased.
Its a very strong chemical so please be careful. its more liquid then the glycolic acid gel peel. I apply mine with two q-tips held closely together after I prep my skin by cleaning it and then taking a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol to make sure all oil is removed.
Giving it 3 stars for now because I am still in the beginning and I need to use it longer to see what it does.
moniquereid1 – :
This was my 3rd time using the peel, i havent peel and im not sure if its working. It Dries my skin out right after i use it but then i apply the moisturizer and my skin is back to normal. I’m dark skin with acne scars btw and i usually have sensitive skin so i expected this to work especially for a “level 4″ peel!
Dix – :
I have used twice now – it is a gentle peel – have not seen yet an improvement yet in wrinkles and age spots – but product is as described.
Holly G. (New Orleans) – :
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry! I have been battling moderate acne for 25 years. When I was on the pill for a few years, it went away, but I have hypothyroidism now and the estrogen makes my synthroid not work, so I can’t take it. TMI, I know.
Before I started using it, the term “acid” sounded painful to me, so I was too scared to have a peel done, much less do it myself. Well, I’m so glad I changed my mind!! This stuff is a Godsend! I’m actually kind of upset that I didn’t know about it sooner, because it would have saved me so much stress, seclusion and scars! Ugh!! Why oh why????
Anyway, I have not had a zit since I started using this stuff. Seriously! I don’t know how well it works for wrinkles because I don’t really have many, but if you have acne, you MUST purchase this stuff. My scars are definitely smoother! (Follow the directions, of course.)
I use it once a week, although the directions say to use it less often. I thought I had sensitive skin, but I don’t find this to be that irritating at all. That said, when I first starting using it, I made sure that my skin was dry and hadn’t been washed recently, so my skin wasn’t too soft. I did the peel once a week for a few weeks and didn’t have any irritation or even redness or peeling. I have since started doing it after I get out of the shower when my face is moist. It tingles a little more now but it’s fine. Little bit of peeling. No redness. I use a soft make-up brush to apply it. I wait a few minutes, then wash it off. Definitely apply a moisturizer after. I use Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin. Hope I didn’t leave anything out. I am just so thankful that I found this. I’m so glad my children won’t have acne like I did!
It’s definitely worth a try if you have acne, just make sure you’re very careful. I’m so tempted to tell strangers with acne to try this stuff, but am not sure how to approach. I’ll figure it out because it’s worth it. I’d rather be embarrassed for trying to help someone than because I have a huge zit any day!!
I’ve used this peel up and am about to get another bottle!!! Try it!!!
J.Hawkins – :
I’ve used this peel for 4 weeks already and all it’s done so far is burn my skin red and make my blemishes even more visible than before. My face actually looks WORSE now than it was before I started using this product. I do not recommend this peel.
Cathy M. (CA) – :
I too ordered the HQ+ Gel Peel, Level 3, and received a HQ+ Peel, Level 4. I am 45, with acne and severe melsama on my cheeks and forearms. The first peel stung, just like the in-office dermatologist peels, and frosted, as a previous reviewer noted. From the moment I washed it off, I could see a significant reduction of the melsama darkness, and an overall smother, brighter complexion.
Judging from the effectiveness of the product I quickly reordered two, with hopes that I would receive the Level 4 peel (which I did). My second peel did not frost, but I was able to leave it on for 5 minutes. I can hardly wait for the day when I feel good about my sink, and this product has given me HOPE!!!
Rox – :
okay, so i bought this peel about 2 months ago, waiting for a long weekend to try it, in case i peeled a lot. Read all the review 5 times and was really hesitant to try it. I have an olive complexion and some age dark spots and dark circles and many lines under my eyes. I am 44 and a smoker but i have good skin and no acne problems. I applied it sparingly and it stung just a little around my nose. Could have left it on for 5 minutes but only left it on for 30 seconds as recommended for the first time. After washing it off my face felt tighter and smoother. Will follow up as the days go by.
M. Mcnam “Livin Luvin” (CA) – :
I had to wait a few weeks to try this product out thoroughly before I did a review. I had a quarter sized, medium brown pigmentation mark on my cheek that developed a year ago as well as a small brown dot on my nose. I had an IPL done, and though the dot on my nose was gone, it left four larger dark brown spots on my nose! The cheek mark was still the same. I looked pretty awful and decided to cut my losses. I eventually found my way to looking at Skin Laboratory peel reviews and purchased the HQ+gel. It was certainly cheaper than three IPL treatments, so what was there to lose?
This is an incredible peel! After the first treatment, there was significant improvement on the pigmentation spots, and after my fifth treatment, the marks are completely gone! I really didn’t think it would work this well. Look no further because it does exactly what it’s supposed to do and I’m really happy with the results.
About the process…….Work your way up by starting with 1-2 minutes and lengthen the time successively. The spots where you will apply this product will darken and look a bit bruised for a couple days after, so don’t plan any special social events until after it begins to peel. You could minimize the appearance of it with some makeup cover. Be patient, as it will take about a month and a half of treatments before the process is complete. I actually got a good peel the last time by rubbing my nose LIGHTLY with a slight abrasive before applying the gel, but be careful with this method. Believe in this amazing product because I can say it works! Thanks a lot Skin Laboratory.
Wifeybo – :
This peel is great. I had immediate results. My skin tightened up right away and it really helped clear my acne. Three days after application, I began to peel. I had some redness, but not severe. When my skin healed, the large pores were much smaller, old scars were softer and discoloration was greatly decreased. I had a huge, ugly age spot that is now almost gone. It faded by at least 75% after the first application.
If you use this product, just be sure to rinse your nostril area very carefully and use LOTS of water. I did not rinse well enough the first time I used the peel and was really red. Luckily, I healed completely and my skin in that area is now very smooth and clear.
The roller made this peel easy to apply quickly.
My order arrived in about eight days and the roll-on bottle and product was intact.
Munga – :
Over the last year, at which time I went on Estrogen for HRT, I noticed in photographs that I had the strangest shadows on my face. I looked so dark in comparison to how I have looked in the past.
I am a fairly olive complected person anyway, but these shadows made my face look dirty. After closer inspection with my magnifying makeup mirror, I realized that the darkness was caused by hundreds of tiny dark patches that look similar to freckles. Since I have never had freckles I knew it must be melasma.
I went to a dermatologist and was given prescriptions for hydroquinone and Retin-A. This treatment seemed to work albeit slowly. But after 2 months the darkness was still present to some degree and that’s when I decided to search out information on chemical peels.
I used the HQ+ peel and after the second application I noticed a huge difference. I have now used it four times and my skin is still improving. Many of the melasma marks are gone completely but there are a few lingering dark blotches that are not. But!!!! they are very light and easy to cover with makeup.
I must warn those with sensitive skin. I have the most sensitive of all skins and I can only leave the solution on my face for about 45 seconds. It stings so badly that I cannot stand it. Also, the first time I applied it, I broke out with a bad cold sore that took a long time to heal. After all of the reviews and studying I did about the product, I was aware this could happen. It did not happen after the first time. Warning… do not get this close to the sensitive under eye area!
Using this wonderful peel beats paying thousands of dollars for laser treatments and I don’t think my skin can handle the harsh chemical peels done in the dermatologist’s office.
I have had several compliments concering my complection and youthful look. I am 52 years old, so it does an ole gal good knowing she is taking care of herself.
I love this product and as long as my skin can handle it, I will use it.
Carlos C. (Lawrenceville, GA) – :
I have used this product just two times, applying it every 8 days.The first time i used it I felt the tingly on my face that everybody has experimented, but it didn’t feel hard to handle, so I left it for 5 minutes, washed my face and applied cetaphil facial moisturizer, I really did not see any difference in my skin, but when i used it the second time 8 days later I felt more burning even though I kept it 5 minutes, and the other day I have realized that some of the scars that I have from acne were dissapearing, I am talking about “hole type” scars and the pores on my nose looked more tiny, I didn’t see any difference on the queloid scars. So i am waiting to use this product again and see the final results.
candyland (california) – :
Hello I am 17 years old and have mild/moderate acne and have oily skin. At first I had bought the smaller version of the Hq+ peel and wrote a review about it on this website. But after using the product more, I now have a lot of mixed feelings about this product.
Pro’s:
-The only over-the-counter product that has faded my post-acne marks(little red dots)
-Gets rid of some active pimples
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Con’s:
-Broke my skin out with a lot of red pimples.
- The smell of the product gives me a very intense headache during and after applying it to my skin.
-Dries my skin out so badly that it causes my skin to produce more oil.
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It breaks my skin out with a lot of red pimples: When I first started using this peel, I did not break out from it. I started breaking out the 6th or 7th time of use. I thought that the break-outs came from the peel just getting all the “”gunk”" out of my pores, which is suppose to happen the first couple of uses. Well I kept using the peel once every 10 days and following the directions exactly. I did not put any new skin products on my skin at the time or do anything different with my skin routine. But I still broke out will pimples the day after each peel. I didn’t understand why my skin would still be breaking out after using the peel as many times as I have. Now I know how some of you must be thinking “”She doesn’t know for sure that it is the products fault for her skin breaking out”". But when I break-out only when I use this product and only breaking out in the ONLY places(I don’t apply to entire face, just certain little spots) I apply the peel, then yes I have to say the peel is at fault.”
vix205 (Montebello, California) – :
Im 24 yrs old ive had acne since i was 13 ive tried otc products, prescribed, peels and lasers, so i after reading some reviews on this product i decided to purchase it, it is a strong peel, it really stings when applied, the next day my face looked better, and when my family and friends saw my face they all said my face looked better, the 2nd time i used it there was a difference the next day, so far i have used it twice, its very easy to use, i highly recommend this product
Janell M (Media, PA) – :
Great product…be careful, as it is strong.
Matthew P. (Bluekamp, Michigan) – :
I love love love this stuff….however it shipped leaking all over and was half gone when I got it.
Matthew P. Bluekamp (Michigan) – :
I love love love this stuff….however it shipped leaking all over and was half gone when I got it.
Sonya B (Gautier, MS) – :
Very good peel, I have done two peels so far and I am already amazed at the “new” condition of my skin!
Marcela H (San Antonio, TX) – :
Nice results on clogged follicles, Direcctions are well explain.Be careful in the use of these product and read carefully the directions.
Theresa K (Hampton, VA) – :
Love using this product. Not too harsh on the skin with good results after about 6 weeks
D. Hoang (portland, OR) – :
I usually don’t write reviews but this one I felt like I have to. I previously bought a glycolic peel and glyco-lac peel but didn’t see much result with them.So I decide to switch to this and see how well it turns out and I definitely see some improvement this is my 2nd application. Definitely see my pores getting smaller and face smoother and softer. Both of my cheeks have like somewhat call icepick scars and lots of red marks as well with hyperpigmentation. The chemical smell of this is pretty intense and it was like really strong comparing to the others. So I couldn’t leave it on for over 2 minutes. I’m not sure what people are using to put it on their face but I spread it with a cotton and it seem to be okay. When I put foundation on my face to covers the flaws it doesn’t even show any flaws at all and it usually does with the bumpy skin and large pores. So all the scars are lighten up and improving much better and all the blemish are going away. My acne are under control I don’t break out anymore after using this peel so that’s a plus. Anyways I will update more when I’m on my 6th application. And I’m hoping to see more dramatic result. Everyone have different skin when it comes to chemical peels and sometimes it works and vice versa. Well Good luck to everyone who try this!
Laura J (South Lake Tahoe, CA) – :
I have only used it four times, but I am seeing a difference in my skin. My pores appear to be smaller. I don’t really have any wrinkles, but it seems to make my skin color more even.
J (Rome) – :
After reading the other reviews and the instructions I think I must have received a bottle with no chemicals in it at all. It didn’t do a single thing. In fact, I put it on and LEFT IT ON Overnight (against the instructions because of it’s irritants) and it still did nothing. No redness, nada!
buggyone – :
I have used this twice now, no peeling, no redness, nothing. I was able to leave it on for a long time and felt nothing. I am very disappointed because I was really looking forward to this product.
Yadira G. (MCALLEN, TX) – :
I’m a 22 year old female who has combination skin and pimple scars.I recently bought this peel and it works great, within the first treatment ( left on for a minute) my pores appeared smaller. I have never suffered too much when it comes to black heads but I have always had visable pores around my nose that could easily turn into a clogged pore. The burning sensation isnt unbearable, at first i didnt even feel any discomfort after the third treatment i decided i wanted something more drastic so i brushed the chemical on my face as opposed to using the cotton ball. I left it on for two minutes. This time I experienced a bit more burning, although my face stayed a slight pink, after two days my pores were practicly invisable, my slight pimple scars were gone, my face looked amazing, my skin appeared flawless. BE SURE TO MOISTURIZE AFTER EACH TREATMENT. The intructions say if possible to withdraw away from wearing makeup for a couple of hours after,to avoid harsh sunlight, and not to wax 48 hours before or after. My boyfriend couldnt stop staring. Over all i love this product, my skin looks so refreshed and flawless.
mel89 – :
I actually didn’t use this product! But I’m looking for something that helps with pigmentation! I found this product but I decided against it and rather try glycolac since I know that hydrochinon is actually dangerous if you are not really careful!
It is true that hydrochinon is used to treat pigmentation BUT if you want to use it: first of all talk to someone who can tell you about the side effects of hydrochinon (a doctor usw) and secondly always use this product in a well ventilated room since the vapor irritates the lunges and can lead to e.g.: dizziness, headache and more severe cases to a collapse!
I’m no doctor but I’m studying chemistry and we are drilled in using chemicals very carefully and always be aware of what we are using! This is really important since the damage of some chemicals is not immediate so that you don’t notice it!
SUMMARY: Use this product if you like to but be careful and if you get dizzy or sth. open all of your windows! (I have rated this 2 stars because you have to and I don’t know the product)!
T. (Tx) – :
I have been using this peel for about 4 months now and am impressed with my results. I didn’t want to review this product until I have used it for a significant amount of time, so that I can give others a true and accurate review of this product.
I would have to say that it took about a month before I really started to see results. I have hereditary acne and have used a lot of OTC and prescription medications. This peel has worked better at keeping my acne under control than most of the medications I have used over the years.
I haven’t really broken out since using this peel and the hydroquinone in it has really helped with most of the dark scars I had from previous breakouts. It does dry out your skin, so you will definitely need to use a good oil free moisturizer and sunscreen. “
Daisy B. (East Egg) – :
Well first of all, I have insanely oily skin, and the reason I used this was because of my oily skin (I figured that it would help even it out) and because of my hyperpigmentation. I actually use this product with Proactiv (which doesn’t really work for me), and I use the peel everyday, which I am not supposed to do. I have noticed a huge difference in my skin, I have used it for about a week now and almost all of my hyperpigmentation is gone. Now, I do recommend anyone who has oily skin to try to use it everyday, because now I do not have oily skin at all, which is amazing!!!!!!! However, because the peel is drying you should use a moisturizer with it, I use Pond’s Dry Skin and the combination works wonderful for me. Also, you should go to the Skin Laboratory website if you plan on buying any of their products because they are almost half the price there.
MollyPaul M (Pontiac, MI) – :
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!! That is all I have to say about this product! I encourage everyone to purchase this if they purchase anything. I have only used it one time and I already see a noticeable difference with my face along with my fiance who used it! Our faces felt absolutely EXTRAORDINARY this whole week! $40 w s&h definitely beats going to the dermatologist for 100 bucks a pop!
Nurse (Texas) – :
I am an RN and used to work for a plastic surgeon who had a medi spa. We would get chemical peels when we wanted. I feel that this product was better than what I used in the office. I had great results after the first use. My skin was so smooth and my acne much better. I experienced minimal peeling and no redness. The product did sting like the office products but because I am used to the peels, I was able to leave it on for 4 minutes. I will definitely order more.
MondayPartlyCloudy – :
I am five days past my second application of HQ+ and my biggest problem is that I like to peel my skin when it is peeling. I can’t help it!
The first time I applied HQ+ I was only able to stand it for maybe 90 seconds. It stung and made my eyes water. I had applied to my forehead first and then to more sensitive parts of my face, but it was still very uncomfortable very quickly. The day after my peel, I looked and felt like I had a minor sunburn. By days 3 and 4 I had very light flaking around my nose and on my chin.
The second time I applied the peel I let it sit a little longer on my less-sensitive areas before applying to more sensitive ones. Lasted about 2.5 minutes overall and had the same light sunburn feeling afterward for a day. By day three I was starting to actually peel everywhere but my cheeks and now on day five i am still peeling. It got pretty crusty there for a day or two – not pretty! I kept a light oil all over my face to help and wore sunscreen and a hat every time I left the house.
My main goal is to fade sun spots and I think I will eventually achieve this with the HQ+ peel. Yay!
A. Pearson (Tulsa, OK) – :
I have used this product twice now. I fortunately do not have a current acne problem but did years ago. I have a lot of scars from them just red spots on my face. I have used twice and my face is so smooth and pores are a lot smaller, but the spots have faded but not like I expected. Does anyone know how long it takes to actually fade the acne scars? from experience.? all in all no regrets i love the product. I am not just waiting to get to use again! I’ll update on the progress.
Deanna S (Mooresville, NC) – :
Definitely would recommend this for treatment of adult acne. My face was so sore the day I applied the treatment and it burned like crazy but I left it on for the recommended 5 minutes. The next day, all of the areas I had acne and places I didn’t know were infected, were burned out. On this page, it says leave on for 25 min. The bottle says 5 max. No longer than that!
KAM (Killeen, Texas) – :
First of all, I’ll start off by saying that this product definitely works as seen by all the five star reviews.
Second, about the HQ+ peel itself: The first time I used the product the stinging was intense and nearly unbearable. I couldn’t wash it off fast enough after barely 30 seconds. The second time, however, I expected a similar experience but it was much more bearable and has been ever since. I now keep it on for 3 minutes and do experience peeling a day or two later (not sheets of skin like a professional spa peel, but enough to be quite noticeable especially if using makeup).
Third and last of all, my only concern is regarding the long-term effects of using this product. I have used the product 5 times now, only two of those times have I made it up to leaving it on for the full 3 minutes. Of those two longest times, however, I have also noticed that afterward I seem to get a headache and just don’t really feel well. Is this the product? I have absolutely no idea, but after experiencing what appear to be the same side effects immediately after using this peel -twice now- I find myself concerned enough to wonder about long-term effects/health risks I am exposing myself to.
Sadly, as much as this product does seem to appear to work, I can’t justify the possible health risks it may pose whether they be real or merely a coincidence on my part. If this is not a concern you share or this product has, in fact, been deemed safe then by all means give it a try because otherwise it really does seem to be effective.
Emma (Orange Co., California) – :
This product did not give me the results I was hoping for. Only a very slight peel with no improvement for Melasma.
Amanda (Timberlake, Kentucky) – :
I’ve had adult acne for several years, treating topically with both over-the-counter and prescription products. None of them cleared my acne, and as a result I have many hyperpigmented spots from old blemishes. My skin is very oily, and nothing I have tried in the past has been able to control my oiliness.
The initial application of the peel is a little painful – it stings more than any product I’ve put on my face. This peel is potentially damaging if you don’t follow the instructions, so definitely be careful when using it. With that said, I’ve noticed such an improvement in my skin!
I finished my second application of the peel a few days ago and my face is so much clearer! Two days after the first application it seemed to bring several blemishes to the surface, but since those initial ones have healed I haven’t had a single new blemish. I can already notice the hyperpigmented spots are beginning to fade, as well. I don’t have any ice pick-type acne scarring, so I can’t testify if this peel is effective on that type of scarring or not. I will continue to use this product, and highly recommend to anyone with oily, acne-ridden skin. “
Sunny SD – :
This worked great on my skin. I had brown spots that peeled off. Very good alternative to going to a salon for this treatment.
Rollo Tomasi – :
This product does exactly what it says. It helps even the worst cases of acne, scaring, wrinkles, and skin texture. After using the product my face looked much more vibrant and younger. You also can visibly notice the difference in the size of your pores.
With all that said it is important to understand that it takes about 4-7 days after use to start to see the results. In the immediate days following application your face will flake, peel, and discolor to the point where you may regret having used the peel! Just make sure you use PLENTY of facial lotion that contains spf and you will be fine. Again, this is not a peel to use if you have someone you want to impress in the next couple of days, but if your schedule looks pretty clear for a week then go for it, the results will be great.
Kim’sAmazon – :
Most of the product had leaked out during shipping, as others have mentioned in their reviews (handled the return with NO problems – even paid for the return shipping!). I used the little that was left – enough to lightly cover my face and chest area – and after reading other reviews I was prepared to wash it off within a minute or two. However, I didn’t have a reaction to it at all – no stinging, no burning, no redness. It did have a smell, but not overwhelming or bothersome. I left it on for 5 minutes and probably should have gone longer, but I was a little nervous as this was my first time using a home peel product.
I’m going to order it in the bottle instead of the roll-on because the reviews suggest that it’ll work better. Also, I didn’t feel that I was getting even and all-over coverage using the roll-on. I could only tell if I missed any areas by waiting for it to dry to a chalky white, which was a couple of minutes into it. By then if I did miss a spot then that spot wouldn’t have the same treatment as the surrounding skin.
I get an occasional light peel from a Spa but this is my first home peel. I think that my skin may he built up a tolerance which is why I didn’t get the stinging, burning, redness or sloughing that others got. I’ve been using other exfoliating products like Olay’s Definity line (recently started it), Obagi’s Vitamin C line (great for reducing dark spots and evening skin tone), Dior (love it!), and other products.
SIDE NOTE: I also ordered the Salicylic Acid 20% gel peel and tried it a couple of days after the HQ+ Gel Peel and got the results I expected, even after the first application. My skin is smooth, has a more even tone, and my pores are smaller (yeah!). It didn’t do anything for my acne scars (yet), but I have only used the Salicylic once. I suggest buying this as well. They’re only $18.95 each when you buy both together. And, salicylic acid is “self neutralizing” which means it stops working after 8 to 10 minutes and you can use it 3-4 times a week, per the instructions.
D. Hearn – :
The product seems to work in lightening dark spots, but I am having a difficult time receiving the product due to inappropriate packaging. The first time I had no problems but the 2nd and 3rd time I received my package all of the liquid has leaked out leaving me with no product to use and I have not recieved a refund from the first packaging mishap. I am very disappointed since I think the product was starting to work, but I don’t think I will be ordering it again from this seller.
Michele D. – :
I’ve used the BHA HQ+ product since January and have had very good results. I have extremely oily and sensitive skin (lucky me) with some sun damage. I bought this product to help me with a very clogged, acne filled chin. I was having an emotionally hard time, then I put a new product on it and bam!, a severe breakout. I purchased this product after the breakout and I’m happy to report, it cleared it up. I’m making another purchase today. I hope this company continues to make affordable and effective skin products because I’m a student. I’m broke.
Thanks, Skin Laboratory
Amber Shmamber – :
I am very happy with this product. I have mild acne and a lot of scars from the acne. What I like most is that it is easy to apply on the spots that need to be treated, and within a day, new breakouts are almost gone. My skin is very prone to scarring, so once I get a big blemish, it stays with me for a long time, which is why I am so glad that this not only shrinks, but stops new blemishes. I have had about 10 pimples begin to show since I’ve had this product and all of them have shrunk and then disappeard within two days–without leaving scars!
I have only had it for three weeks, and am really uncertain how it will work for my existing hyperpigmentation and scars, but it seems to be doing it’s job. I did have to leave it on for the maximum time (or more) in order to have slight peeling within about 48 hours. The first two times I put it on for less than 10 minutes, my face didn’t peel at all. I’m not really sure that your face does have to peel to get the same results, but it seems to me that it would be necessary.
Also, it does sting, but not bad at all–comparable to alcohol, or concentrated salycilic acid. It only stings while you have it on and for a couple minutes after you rinse it off.
I would and have highly recommended this product.
R. Goh – :
I felt a burning sensation when I first applied it on my face. The first 30 seconds was almost unbearable but I tolerated through for 5 minutes. Very fine scabs started appearing on the third day. The results only starts to show on the sixth day when I felt a softer and smoother skin and also pigmented spots became lighter. I am on my third round now and I hope to see more better results appearing.
Shawn – :
I wanted a peel that would help get rid of my hyperpigmentation from acne scars, lessen the appearance of my pores/acne scars, and help me control my mild-moderate acne breakouts.
The first time I used this product I made sure to read the directions, tested a spot on my inner elbow, avoided heavy sun exposure prior, stopped using topicals for 48 hours before etc.
The day after using the peel my face felt very calm. It felt like my face was finally “normal”, it felt very smooth and soft. And over the next few days I noticed no new acne appearing.
Its very important that you don’t expose your face to direct/continuous sunlight for at least a day after doing the peel.
Also, you should wear a spf 30 suncreen whenever you go out, even if its cloudy outside. If you don’t you will have wasted your time because your skin will just get even more damaged.
I ex
popnull – :
I wanted a peel that would help get rid of my hyperpigmentation from acne scars, lessen the appearance of my pores/acne scars, and help me control my mild-moderate acne breakouts.
The first time I used this product I made sure to read the directions, tested a spot on my inner elbow, avoided heavy sun exposure prior, stopped using topicals for 48 hours before etc.
The day after using the peel my face felt very calm. It felt like my face was finally “normal”, it felt very smooth and soft. And over the next few days I noticed no new acne appearing.
Its very important that you don’t expose your face to direct/continuous sunlight for at least a day after doing the peel.
Also, you should wear a spf 30 suncreen whenever you go out, even if its cloudy outside. If you don’t you will have wasted your time because your skin will just get even more damaged.
turtleXings – :
it arrived so quickly, i was really excited. the only thing that annoyed me was it had leaked a bit by the time it arrived, but nothing major.
okay, so i tested it out for the first time last night… the stinging did not bother me at all, it merely felt similar to rubbing alcohol. so far no negative skin reactions, which is positive. the roll on makes for a simple application which i like though i have no idea how that compares to the other version. i have not really noticed any changes so far but i know since it’s a light peel it’ll take a few applications. i’ll update further after some time has passed!
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(LATER)
Okay, so it’s been about 3 weeks & I’ve just done my 3rd application. I think this product is terrific! My skin is incredibly soft & smooth. I’ve definitely notice it has cleaned out my pores, made my skin tighter but still “plush”, I’ve barely had one break out even during my cycle! Also, I had some very faint childhood chickenpox scars that are all but gone already. Oh & my skin tone is perfect.
It didn’t really make my skin visibly “peel” which I’m happy about, but I think that’s probably partly because I use the Aveeno Face Pads to wash my face (only the soft side & very gently) so it probably clears away any lurking dead skin cells on the surface. I also apply Aveeno Positively Radiant moisturizer sp15 (my regular daily moisturizer) afterward which seems to have gone over well with my skin
Oh, it’s worth noting that I’ve had to be extremely careful about sunlight. The first time I applied it to my entire face (instead of a small part as a test) I got a lot of sun on the left side of my face from my sunny window. Later, I noticed a huge red patch on my left cheek which looked like & hurt like a sunburn. I put lots of the moisturizer on it & it faded in about a day or two. No other issues but I’ve just been particularly cautious with the sun while I’m using this stuff.
This stuff has been so fantastic. It does not really burn, in my opinion, and works gently and quickly.
Also! If you’re considering doing a skin peel, maybe think about what you’re eating during the healing process. I’ve been eating lots of avacados, walnuts, salmon, tomato sauce, green & white teas w/honey, sweet potatoes/yams, & pomagrantes since they all have excellent skin benefits. I mean, if you’re going to go as far as a skin peel (even a gentle one) why not go all the way & ensure your new skin is the best it can be?
Hope this helped anyone who was curious!
Customer J. – :
First of all, I want to mention how very strong this peel is. Not only does it have a rather strong chemical odor, but it really stings when applied. The instructions say to leave it on for 30 seconds for the first application and build up to several minutes on subsequent applications. However, the first time I used this product, I could only stand leaving it on for about 10 seconds. It stung rather intensely, and the chemical fumes made my eyes water so that I could barely keep them open. I had to rinse my skin off for a good 5 minutes to makes the burning stop, but after that, my skin was hardly red and it didn’t burn at all anymore. Each time I use this, I’ve only been able to keep it on for about 10-15 seconds longer than the previous time before I had to rinse it off. Also, the instructions say to apply only once every 10-14 days, but I’ve been using it every 7 days since I rinse it off so quickly.
Even though I haven’t been able to keep it on for more than 30 seconds tops, I’ve really noticed a difference in my skin. I have pretty bad skin: acne-prone, lots of old indented scars, and hyperpigmentation like no other. But I just did my third application, and my skin is a lot smoother and old acne spots are very noticeably fading. My pores practically disappeared overnight, and my face is sooo much less oily during the day. In just one day, I could already see results, and they just get better with each application.
I’ve used this company’s glycolic peel before, which made me break out after each use and left my skin red for a week afterwards. However, I’ve haven’t had any breakouts with this peel, and it doesn’t leave my face red at all (but that might be because I leave it on for only a short amount of time).
Overall, I would really recommend this product (use it carefully!), and I can’t wait to see the full results in a few more weeks!
UPDATE: So I’m on my second round of treatment (6 weeks at a time), and I’m still loving this product. Now that I’ve been able to keep it on for 3-4 mins though, it does make my skin slightly red. But it’s nothing terrible, and it starts to fade in a few days. I am still seeing improvement in the texture and complexion of my skin. After my first 6-week treatment, I took a break for 4 weeks, and I noticed that my skin continually looked better and better every week. Now that I’m back on the peel, it does look a little worse, but once I’m done again, it will probably start getting better. So in my experience, it takes several weeks after treatment to get the full effect of this amazing peel.
smiles – :
I have “bad skin” and this is great for that problem. I have yet to head back to the doctor for pills for my acne (which made me gain weight) and awful injections. I recommend this product. Also this company is one of the best to order product froms. Many times they send me extra samples of other peels and I always receive my product early.
Tricky Kitty – :
I find the BHA + HQ peel extremely effective for both spot healing pimples and cystic acne as well as the post-breakout dark marks. It is not quite as effective on my fine lines. This has a rubbing alcohol-like appearance, feel, application, and scent and leaves behind a slight whitish cast once rinsed away. I agree that this peel burns rather intensely. I don’t leave this peel on more than a couple of minutes. I also only spot treat troubled areas as opposed to completely covering my face. The roll-on is very convenient using it as such.
I also agree that it takes several application before the results are noticeable. After about four or five treatments, there was peeling and fading of the dark marks left behind after breakouts. Furthermore, my skin does not actually begin to show peeling until 3 to 5 days after application. I wait a minimum of five days, before I re-apply this peel. Although I’ve used this for several weeks, there is still about half of my bottle remaining. For the record, I do have really persistent, but moderate acne. I’ve had acne for 20 years, and I have a dark complexion which hyperpigments very, very easily. Even a course of Accutane did nothing for me (my acne came back within a couple of months after finishing).
maximumelle – :
I have only used this product twice. My skin is acne prone with clogged pores that I haven’t been able to get rid of. This product cleared out many of the clogs. I also had 3 large infected pustules on my cheek and after one use of this product and a dab of benzoyl peroxide they are substantially decreased in size after 24 hours. Haven’t seen any difference in the scars. The product smells, but it is tolerable. Product stings, but not as intensely as the glycolic peels.
Sueall – :
I’ve been using retin-A for a year or so with great results. Adding weekly applications of this product has improved my skin texture and evened out my skin pigmentation even more. As with any non-surgical skin procedure, it takes time and regular use to see the full benefits. There will be some stinging — after all, these are acids! But overall, I am happy with this product and plan to continue using it.
tashi – :
i bought this product to fade acne scars. i tested it on my wrist first, then did my whole face. not such a great idea. this stuff burns and 1-2 days later is extremely painful. i ended up putting copious amounts of Vaseline on my face and ice on and off but after 3 more days it stopped hurting and the dry, peeling skin wasn’t so bad and i could really see a huge difference in the appearance of my red marks. this product works but it sure hurts! no pain no gain right?
ktpktp74 – :
I am new to chemical peels, but I like this one a lot. I am in my 30s and have always had acne prone skin, and as a result have large pores and mild rolling acne scars. I started with the 50% lactic peel made by this company. It brought a lot of pimples to the surface and after a few peels my skin was definitely clearer, but I didn’t notice a lot of difference in the scars, and the lactic acid tended to leave my skin oily. (I’ve read that AHA’s like lactic acid don’t cut through oil in the way that BHA’s like salicylic acid can.) So I decided to try the HQ+ instead, because it has both lactic and salicylic acid. I did the first peel last night, and compared to the lactic, it has a very chemical odor–like nail polish remover–but it did cut through the oil and had a more dramatic effect on the scars. I think my skin is definitely smoother today, so I look forward to the results after a few more peels! I haven’t noticed any sloughing, maybe in a couple days that will happen. With the lactic, a little loufa in the shower after a few days of healing removed the little bit of dead skin fast. Anyway, great product!
Lucas W (Jacksonville, NC) – :
i never thought anything would work on my scars except a super expensive and painful professional chemical peel. this stuff is amazing. my biggest problem are the millions of tiny lil scars on my cheeks. there slowly but surely dissapearing. AWESOME!
candyland – :
Ok.. so I bought this product because I was wanting it to help with-hyperpigmentation/acne scars/acne/oily skin/large pores. Before I had bought this product, I was a user of the glycolic acid peel 35%, it worked very well with acne and oily skin. But it didn’t work well at fading hyperpigmentation(which was why I bought the glycolic acid in the first place). So, I try the HQ+ peel on a small spot of a breakout. It did sting way more than the glycolic acid, but it wasn’t unbearable. The next day I notice my skin start to peel and the acne in that spot had shrunk in size. I now tried the product on other spots, like my forehead and chin. The pores on my forehead were so much smaller after rinsing off the peel. I will continue to use this product once a week and every week, and after a few weeks I will comment my further results!(:
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*UPDATE:
I have used the peel a total of 5 times so far. I will say that I didn’t see any difference at all in my acne scars, UNTIL the 5th time. The 5th time I used the peel, the next day I saw that my acne scars were much less visible(which made me very happy). I’m hoping they will be completely gone within the next few applications.
P. Grounds “opinionated” – :
Ok.. so I bought this product because I was wanting it to help with-hyperpigmentation/acne scars/acne/oily skin/large pores. Before I had bought this product, I was a user of the glycolic acid peel 35%, it worked very well with acne and oily skin. But it didn’t work well at fading hyperpigmentation(which was why I bought the glycolic acid in the first place). So, I try the HQ+ peel on a small spot of a breakout. It did sting way more than the glycolic acid, but it wasn’t unbearable. The next day I notice my skin start to peel and the acne in that spot had shrunk in size. I now tried the product on other spots, like my forehead and chin. The pores on my forehead were so much smaller after rinsing off the peel. I will continue to use this product once a week and every week, and after a few weeks I will comment my further results!(:
*UPDATE:
I have used the peel a total of 5 times so far. I will say that I didn’t see any difference at all in my acne scars, UNTIL the 5th time. The 5th time I used the peel, the next day I saw that my acne scars were much less visible(which made me very happy). I’m hoping they will be completely gone within the next few applications.
Al – :
This product is really strong. I am warning to those people out there who thinks you guys have developed tolerance against peeling. Man, honestly speaking i’ve experienced alot of peels from doctors and myself(loreal peel) and this thing aint like things that you’ve probably seen. You apply this on a cotton(roughly about 2drops of it) and it will PEEL YOUR SKIN after a few days. my first day was ok but the second day, my skin started peeling like crazy, and third day the place where i applied too much chemical had a crack and bled a bit). i have had acne since 6th grade and im over 20 now and this thing… I think its the strongest chemical peel i’ve ever experienced after 10 years of different peels. I dont know how good this thing works but after 3 days im starting to see better contour and texture after the skin peeled. the product has a warning to USE IT EVERY 10 DAYS OR MORE and apply moisturizer lotion after the peel.
Sara T. – :
I placed my order September 2010 and did not receive the item as photographed. I received HQ + Peel LEVEL 4 instead of the BHA + HQ Peel Level 3. Title on this item does not match the photograph provided by company. Careful ordering this since the description does not match the photograph…
I use this along with the 30% glycolic acid gel peel from SkinLaboratory and love it. Acne breakouts are smaller and don’t last as long. Stings like crazy, but its a good sensation for me because I know it’s working.