KAVI Support

Blackheads can be a stubborn skin problem, and having determined the correct product to remove them is a significant step in the right direction. In cases such as yours, where new blackheads form only a day after treatment, it is possible that certain factors are actively contributing to blackhead formation. Such factors may be environmental (e.g., lotions, soaps, pollution, smoke) and/or hormonal (e.g., excess sebum production). As a next step, you should evaluate what is coming into contact with your skin. Any topicals should be checked to ensure they are non-comedogenic (pore friendly). If possible, you should also avoid tobacco smoke and other airborne debris that could get into your pores. To complement weekly treatment with KAVI Salicylic Acid masks, you can consider using the KAVI Toner, a pore cleanser, and/or Coral KAVI, a non-comedogenic cleansing bar with 3% salicylic acid that is also very effective in controlling oily skin. Both KAVI Toner and Coral KAVI can be used daily.

We are unclear about the reasons behind your requirements for an oil-free soap. While KAVI DermaWash is oil-free, KAVI cleansing bars are made with a palm oil base. Unlike traditional soaps, all KAVI cleansers are completely non-comedogenic (will not clog pores). KAVI DermaWash is a pH-balancing liquid cleanser for sensitive skin that can also be used to alleviate conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, or seborrheic dermatitis. The Pearl KAVI bar is best for dry skin (formulated with olive oil to hydrate and protect). Aqua KAVI is a pH-balancing bar for normal skin that also can be used to alleviate the same inflammatory skin conditions as DermaWash. The Coral KAVI bar is best for oily, acne-prone skin (formulated with sulfur and salicylic acid to fight bacteria, wash away excess oil, and reduce dead skin buildup). Though all of these cleansers can be used to treat whiteheads, choosing the product that best fits your skin type will provide the best results. KAVI Salicylic Acid exfoliation masks and the KAVI Toner are other products that also can help with whiteheads. All of the referenced products above may be purchased online directly from KAVI at http://www.kaviskin.com.

Hormones can significantly influence the factors that lead to acne formation. The pH of skin, the rate of sebum production, and other cellular processes can change due to hormonal shifts. Sometimes these shifts help reduce acne, and other times they contribute to breakouts. KAVI's anti-acne products provide some control over what is happening on the skin's surface by addressing the key factors that lead to acne formation. While it's difficult to determine to what degree the hormonal changes from your pregnancy have helped, it is likely that they have played a significant role along with use of our products in improving your skin's condition. [Readers please note: while there are no known contraindications to using KAVI products while pregnant or nursing, you are advised to consult with your physician first before beginning treatment with KAVI products.]

We're happy to hear KAVI DermaWash is working well for your daughter. Aqua KAVI and DermaWash share many of the same properties (sulfur content, non-comedogenic, pH-balancing, animal-free) and indications (rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, various skin allergies). However, the cleansing ingredients in DermaWash are more gentle than those in KAVI cleansing bars and can be more amenable on sensitive skin.

The sulfur used in KAVI anti-acne products is non-antibiotic and can be classified as non-sulfa. As such, it does not trigger the same allergic reactions that sulfonamide-based drugs (e.g., sulfacetamide topicals) are known for. Please consult with your daughter's physician for contraindications to the drugs she has been prescribed. We wish her the best of luck at the Pageant.

While KAVI Glycolic Acid 30 is the strongest peel we recommend for initial use on the face, body skin is thicker and typically can tolerate a stronger peel, such as KAVI Glycolic Acid 40. It is difficult to ascertain whether Glycolic Acid 50 will be an appropriate initial strength, and you are advised to consult with a medical professional first if you wish to begin with something stronger than 40%. Because retail preparations of KAVI Glycolic Acid are buffered to a pH of 2.1, dead skin and cellular debris will exfoliate safely and will not extend beneath the upper layers of the epidermis.

When applying a KAVI exfoliation mask, the goal is to maximize contact with the skin in the target area. Hair growth can prevent glycolic acid from making contact around the follicle, reducing the efficacy of the mask. While most of the dead skin and cellular debris that is exfoliated will detach from the skin when the mask is removed, you can expect mild sloughing of any remaining debris for up to 72 hours after application.

Most sunless tanning products contain dihydroxyacetone, a color additive that reacts with the same dead skin cells that glycolic acid exfoliates. You may find that while Glycolic Acid 30 helps improve the tone and texture of your skin, it also reduces the efficacy of your tanning product.

Coral KAVI is a very effective anti-acne product not only because of the higher concentration of its anti-acne ingredients, but also because it replaces a primary acne irritant: common bar soap. It is recommended to use Coral KAVI (or Aqua KAVI on dry or sensitive skin) in any anti-acne treatment plan. KAVI Toner is a premium pore maintenance product one can use in the evenings as a final-stage cleanser. It can complement any skin care regimen. The Organic Sulfur Suspension is a strong antiseborrheic that should be used to treat severe forms of acne (e.g., nodules and cysts) on oily skin. If used with Coral KAVI, the skin should be appropriately moisturized and carefully monitored to prevent dry skin.

As with most of our products, our glycolic acid masks do not contain any added fragrance. KAVI Glycolic Acid does contain a mild natural odor that can be described as somewhat medicinal.

KAVI Complex A (http://www.kaviskin.com/product.php?productid=28&cat=14&page=1) will help with spider veins around the eyes.

There may not be enough salicylic acid in Coral KAVI to help reduce pore diameter and maintain a more consistent texture on your skin's surface. It would be a good idea to try it for a month and observe the results to determine whether you need something stronger. KAVI Toner can also help with large pores. For stronger treatment, complement daily pore maintenance using Coral KAVI and/or KAVI Toner with a weekly exfoliation mask using either KAVI Glycolic Acid 30 or 40 (for normal skin) or Salicylic Acid 8 or 15 (for oily skin).

KAVI Glycolic Acid 40 is a buffered glycolic acid solution that is ready for use directly out of the bottle. There is no chemical preparation required before use, and the peel can be safely and completely removed with a cold water rinse. Unlike KAVI Glycolic Acid 40 Unbuffered (available to physicians only), a neutralizing agent is not required. Glycolic Acid 40 is a strong exfoliating mask, however, and we would recommend it only after having treated your skin with a more moderate peel, such as KAVI Glycolic Acid 20 or 30.

Coral KAVI's antiseborrheic ingredients will remove excess oil from the surface of the skin. This process is pH-independent. Colloidal sulfur and salicylic acid, both parts of the antiseborrheic system in Coral KAVI, will additionally help to balance the skin’s pH, which is typically 5.5.

There are a number of products from which you can choose, the best choice depending on your skin’s sensitivity. For facial skin, the mildest product we make for uneven pigmentation (e.g., age spots) is Enhanced Retinol 0.30%. A more intensive option would be a glycolic acid exfoliation mask, such as Glycolic Acid 20 or 30. For more information on a complete skin care regimen, please review our anti-aging systems at http://www.kaviskin.com/search.php?mode=se...n&by_sku=on. There are four different systems to choose from for each skin group.

KAVI Salicylic Acid 8 for sensitive skin and Salicylic Acid 15 for everywhere else are great choices for treating ingrown hairs. Salicylic acid will constrict the space inside a pore and eliminate the infection within (if there is one). After several days, ingrown hairs will surface at the pore opening, simplifying extraction.

If your ingrown hairs have already been removed and you are looking for a solution to help accelerate your skin’s recovery, then glycolic acid will be the best choice. Body skin is thicker and can tolerate a stronger glycolic acid concentration without irritation. For the stomach region, it should be ok to use KAVI Glycolic Acid 40, however we recommend Glycolic Acid 30 closer to bikini lines.

Exfoliating more frequently than once per week will not provide any additional value and may increase your skin's sensitivity to glycolic acid. Surface scarring (scars less than 1mm deep) from chronic acne can take up to 6 months of treatment to remove. If you have not experienced any prolonged irritation or discomfort from Glycolic Acid 40, you have the option to move up to Glycolic Acid 50 or 60 to accelerate treatment. However, before recommencing with KAVI Glycolic Acid 40, 50, or 60, it would be beneficial to take a 2 to 4 week break. A hiatus after every two months of treatment will allow your skin to readjust to its own natural healing cycle. While taking a break isn't vital, it is a healthier choice.

Glycolic acid peels can be characterized by concentration, pH, and preparation. Details on these differences can be found online at http://www.kaviskin.com/pages.php?pageid=8. KAVI exfoliation masks are made for skin care professionals for use at spas, skin care centers, and physicians' offices. The range for professional use is typically between 20% and 70%. For home use, 20% or 30% (buffered) is sufficiently safe and effective for most anti-aging treatment plans and skin types. Statistically, we have observed a 95% success rate with KAVI Glycolic Acid 30 on facial skin for the prescribed indications (acne scarring, dead skin buildup, wrinkles, large pores). Of the remaining 5%, 2.5% found treatment with KAVI Glycolic Acid 30 (buffered) to be inconclusive, and 2.5% chose not to complete treatment before moving to a weaker concentration.

Coral KAVI's anti-acne ingredients, colloidal sulfur and salicylic acid, are small enough to absorb into pores before the cleanser is rinsed off. The other ingredients are non-comedogenic cleansing components that will prevent comedone formation and the aggravation of acne-prone skin. Both benzoyl peroxide and sulfur are very effective against acne, however when comparing the two, sulfur is better for regular use (e.g., in a cleanser) because it will not dry out the skin as much. KAVI Complex P contains benzoyl peroxide and sulfur. It is recommended for the spot treatment of acne (i.e., localized application over a short period of time).

Coral KAVI is a medicated cleansing bar that targets the symptoms of acne infection: dead skin buildup, acne bacteria, and excess sebum. KAVI DermaWash is a liquid cleanser that is more like Aqua KAVI. Its non-comedogenic, pH-balancing, animal-free ingredients are amenable to those with rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and many varieties of skin allergies. Prior to general availability to the public, it had been available only to skin care professionals who have needed a means of cleansing skin prior to administering peels.

You can take a two-step approach to addressing facial wrinkles: hydration and regenerative keratolysis. The leading cause of premature wrinkles stems from a lack of sufficient hydration in epidermal cells. To avoid future wrinkle formation, the right daily skin maintenance routine can provide skin cells with sufficient hydration and protection from moisture loss. Pearl KAVI is an olive oil cleansing bar that provides the skin with a safe layer of protection which prevents moisture from escaping. KAVI Hyaluronic Acid 75 provides day-long moisturization, enhancing the skin's own hyaluronic acid reserves. KAVI Glycolic Acid masks will exfoliate dead skin cells and stimulate the synthesis of new skin. Weekly exfoliation will help reverse the effects of premature aging and restore the skin's natural vitality. After a four to six week period, wrinkles will begin to lift and be replaced with healthy new skin. For the lip area, it is advisable to not begin with an exfoliation mask stronger than 30%.

KAVI Salicylic Acid will provide keratolysis (exfoliation of dead skin cells) which itself will improve the tone and texture of your skin. KAVI Glycolic Acid, in addition to keratolysis, will stimulate the production of collagen and other vital proteins, accelerating the skin's rate of recovery from surface scarring, acne spots, and other formations resulting from acne infection. If your acne is in regression (you are no longer breaking out), then glycolic acid is the better choice. If you are still breaking out, salicylic acid can provide some relief from existing scarring while actively neutralizing pore infections to keep future scarring to a minimum. If your acne scars are recessed >1mm deep, then our retail products will not completely remove them, and you should obtain treatment through a physician or equivalent who can administer our professional products.

The keratolytic properties of both products make them suitable for treating variable pigmentation, however glycolic acid would be a better choice since it will also help accelerate cellular regeneration and slow the aging process.

Coral KAVI will be the best cleanser and pre-peel prep for Salicylic Acid 25. For post-peel skin care, the Glycolipidic Moisturizer is optimal for oily skin, and Hyaluronic Acid 75 for dry/normal/sensitive skin.