Skin issues: hyperpigmentation (tons of it), freckles, crepiness, fine lines.

In 2003 I had committed to 35% TCA peels and bleph to deal with my skin issues. I began my search for good skincare products that were going to help me achieve my goals making sure I used nothing that potential could irritate my skin post procedure. Pre-peel I had been using Retin A and hydroquinone for a month to prep my skin for the peel. It was an awful month, my skin was so dry and RED, and I spent most of it hiding. During that time I had very little peeling, mostly just dry, red, angry looking skin.

January 2004 - The photo is 3 weeks post and bleph (sorry but I cut out the eye area because I was so black and blue and have a hard time looking at it.). I had none of the "sheets" of skin as some girls described with their peel. No crusting at all. I only got very tomato red and irritated. Even my PS said I am one of the few that a peel really didn't do anything for. I had a tiny amount of "peelies" and the skin underneath felt soft, but then a week later it was hard and rough feeling. It stayed too. During the first week after the peel I used the CX10 ointment, it wasn’t at all soothing to my skin. During the time after the peel (it was so red my PS wanted me to use cortisone on it, but I refused) the only thing that calmed my skin was the emu oil and I drenched my face with it.

When my skin could tolerate it, I began a SRCP (skin remodeling copper peptide) routine slowly. Initially I started with CP Serum diluted slowly working my way up to full strength. During this first month post peel and my new regimen, the pigmentation seemed to get worse every day. In a panic I tried to use hydroquinone to lightening some of the extreme hyperpigmentation, but my skin flared up with a horrible reaction to it. I began to introduce the Exfol Cream. There was no change for a long time, no change that I could see anyway. I decided to commit to the CP for 5 months no matter what.

April 2004 - This is my skin, today, after three months of using only CP's and 2 lactic acid 40% treatments (left on for 2 minutes). I have only squalane and eye makeup on. This just so happens to be one of the "glowing" days; I still have periods of yuckiness. But oh what a difference!

My routine varies, one of the things I try to do is listen to my skin now and I work a routine based on what my skin needs. In general, morning is CP or Super CP, emu oil or squalane which ever it seems to need most, and sun screen! Evening is Super Cop or Tri Red, and emu oil. I also apply the CP to my neck along with emu oil twice a day. I have slowly worked up to using these stronger products.

My PS provided these photos to me. I made one alteration, cropping out the eye area. In retrospect, I am grateful no pictures exist showing the hyperpigmentation at it's worst. It was hideous.