Do you accept other methods of payment besides credit card?

Yes, we do. If a credit card is not your preferred payment method, you may pay for your order with a business or personal check. Simply register with our website, and then send us an email requesting an order form by postal mail. Once you have completed the order form, return it to us with your check and we will fill your order as soon as possible.

Our professional customers also have the option of paying for their orders by electronic check ("eCheck"). If you are interested, please send an email to [email protected] requesting your account to be reviewed for eCheck payments. eChecks are an easy and secure way to transfer funds between corporate expense accounts. Funds are transferred only when authorized by the account holder and are just like writing a traditional check, only eChecks are processed instantaneously over an encrypted connection to KAVI.


I have a coupon code but can't seem to find where I should enter it.

Coupons and other promotional codes can be entered at the bottom of the very first page of checkout.


Do you have a support telephone number?

We pride ourselves on professional integrity and customer service. Though it would be cost-effective to use a third-party call center, we know we could never expect the same level of dedication and passion that KAVI employees provide customers. Any phone calls you make are answered by folks in the office whose main jobs can be product development or research. For this reason, we may not always be immediately available and encourage customers to leave emails whenever they can.

Whether you leave a message or send an email, we always try to get back to you in 24 hours. To reach us by phone, please call us at either (877) 219-6156 or, if you're in California, (415) 839-5156.


What happens if I try a KAVI product and my condition doesn't improve? Do you guarantee your products?

The only thing we truly can guarantee is customer service. While we have thousands of happy customers, we expect that not all skin types can benefit from our research and hard work. And for those few cases, we don't expect a customer to pay for a product that didn't provide a benefit. Should you need to return a product for any reason, we will credit you back the full amount of your order, including our shipping costs. We only ask that if you are unfamiliar with our products to please order a smaller size first. For more information, please click here.


Why do some of your products have a shorter shelf life than mainstream cosmetics?

Being a small company allows us to manufacture our products in smaller quantities. Because the product you receive will be typically about one month old, we do not need to introduce any dangerous formaldehyde-producing preservatives for long-term storage. While this choice reduces the maximum shelf life of our products, we know our customers would not have it any other way.


Are any animals used during the testing or production of any of your products?

Absolutely not. None of our products have been tested on animals, nor do any of our ingredients require harm to come to any animals.


How is KAVI committed to the environment?

We keep our packaging simple to help reduce waste, even though we are in an industry where high-gloss boxes and heavy packaging can account for most of the reason why one product is chosen over another. We routinely ask our customers what they think, and a staggering 99% to date are not interested in extra packaging even if it costs them nothing more. The reason, they say, is because they would rather have less to throw away. And most of what does get thrown away from our packaging is biodegradable. Add a little water to our packing peanuts and watch them dissolve into nothing right before your eyes.



Professional

I am interested in carrying KAVI products. How do I join the KAVI professional network?

The KAVI professional network is comprised of distributors and partners. Within each of these two categories are several tiers. The network is designed to accommodate professionals both large and small. Whether you are a local spa interested in carrying a handful of our products or a business interested in multi-national exclusivity, we have a tier to accommodate your needs. For more information, send an email to [email protected].


Do you offer professional discounts?

Yes, we do. Discounts are built into the prices of products purchased at larger volumes. We have put together a series of matrices to help you analyze the various discount tiers immediately available to you.


Can I request a product to be modified to my custom specifications?

Yes, you can. If you require a chemical peel's concentration or pH to be modified to your needs, simply send an email to [email protected] with your request (minimum order must be 4L per modification).


Can I request white-label/custom-brand packaging?

KAVI does not provide any of its products under a different brand nor does it allow for its products to be rebranded downstream.


Does KAVI provide multi or local-language labelling for any of its products?

Yes, we do. This is a service that is available to foreign partners. Please enquire with your account executive for more information.



Cleansing Bars

Are KAVI cleansing bars for the face or the body? How often should I cleanse with KAVI?

KAVI cleansing bars are equally suitable for face and body. KAVI cleansing bars are intended to be a complete replacement to your regular soap. Use as often as you cleanse your skin.


Do KAVI cleansing bars contain any animal products?

Unlike traditional soaps, KAVI cleansing bars do not contain any animal products. Their base is made from palm oil, a non-comedogenic alternative to animal fat.


Will KAVI's sulfur-based bars dry my skin?

Of our two sulfur-based cleansing bars, Aqua KAVI is recommended for normal skin, and Coral KAVI is recommended for oily skin. While sulfur is anti-seborrheic, selecting the right bar for your skin type will provide you with all of sulfur's benefits without any subsequent dryness.

Use of Coral KAVI will often negate the need for any post-cleansing medication when treating certain types of skin conditions like acne. Concurrent use of other anti-seborrheic products with Coral KAVI may be unnecessary and can dry your skin.



Glycolic Peels

What is the pH level of KAVI Glycolic Acid?

Retail preparations of KAVI Glycolic Acid are buffered to a pH of 2.1 (with a natural deviation of +/- 0.04 per batch). Physician preparations of KAVI Glycolic Acid are unbuffered at decreasing pH levels from 1.2 (KAVI Glycolic Acid 30 Unbuffered) to 0.6 (KAVI Glycolic Acid 70 Unbuffered). The OTC limit for any type of peel is 2.0. The skin's natural pH is 5.5.


Does KAVI Glycolic Acid need to be neutralized or otherwise deactivated to be safely removed?

Retail preparations of KAVI Glycolic Acid can be completely removed from the skin with a cold water rinse. Physician preparations of KAVI Glycolic Acid must be neutralized with an appropriate counteractive agent, such as the KAVI Post-Peel Neutralizer.


Is there a safe way to check my skin's sensitivity to glycolic acid?

If you have never used glycolic acid in concentrations greater than 10% and with pH<2.5, it will be a good idea to first test your skin's sensitivity.

To test your sensitivity to glycolic acid on skin above the neckline, apply a thin layer of KAVI Glycolic Acid to a patch of clean, dry skin just below the chin. The diameter of the application should be about 1 inch of skin. Wait for 4 minutes and then rinse off with cool water. It is normal to feel some stinging during the course of the exfoliation. Monitor your skin for the next 24 hours, checking for any signs of redness or irritation. If your skin shows no signs of inflammation, then you are ready to use KAVI Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and help regenerate healthy, new skin on your face.

To test your sensitivity to glycolic acid on skin below the neckline, apply a thin layer of KAVI Glycolic Acid to a patch of clean, dry skin on the upper arm. The diameter of the application should be about 1 inch of skin. Wait for 4 minutes and then rinse off with cool water. It is normal to feel some stinging during the course of the exfoliation. Monitor your skin for the next 24 hours, checking for any signs of redness or irritation. If your skin shows no signs of inflammation, then you are ready to use KAVI Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and help regenerate healthy, new skin on your body.


What are the recommended instructions for applying KAVI Glycolic Acid to achieve optimal results?

1. Clean and dry the skin to be exfoliated. Make sure the skin is free of any makeup, lotions, or oils. If possible, use an anti-bacterial cleanser. KAVI DermaWash works very well on normal, combination, or oily skin. Use KAVI Glycolic Cleanser 10 on dry skin.
2a. For application to localized areas on the face, saturate a cotton swab applicator (pointed tips work best) with KAVI Glycolic Acid. Apply the saturated swab to the skin, using gentle semi-circle strokes to create a thin layer over the area.
2b. For application to the body or large areas on the face, saturate one side of a folded strip of sterile gauze with KAVI Glycolic Acid. Apply the saturated side of the gauze to the skin, using gentle semi-circle strokes over the area for about 2 minutes. You may wish to wrap the gauze around a spatula (e.g., a tongue depressor) for better reach.
3. (skip this step on first use) Wait an additional 6 to 10 minutes (2 to 6 minutes on sensitive skin), allowing the glycolic acid to be absorbed into the epidermis while weakening the bonds between dead skin cells on the surface.
4. Rinse off the area with cool water. If using a neutralizer, apply to target area and wait approximately 15 seconds before rinsing.
5. For faster results with skin on the body, you may elect to use a loofah sponge during the rinsing process. As always, be gentle.
6. For any exfoliated skin that will come into contact with the sun, be sure to wear sufficient sunblock as your skin has temporarily lost a layer of natural protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 once per week until you have achieved the results you desire. After the first 6 to 8 weekly applications, results may begin to diminish. At this time, it is best to allow the skin to return to its natural regenerative pace. Following a one month interval, another 6 to 8 week cycle may be repeated.


Is it possible to apply both glycolic and salicylic peels to achieve the benefits of each?

To safely obtain the benefits of both glycolic acid and salicylic acid, rotate weekly application of each peel. By applying glycolic acid on odd weeks and salicylic acid on even weeks, the recovery period for exfoliated skin is never less than seven days, preserving the skin's natural regenerative process.


Before discovering your retail peels, I had obtained KAVI peels at my dermatologist's office. Despite the lower concentration of glycolic acid at the dermatologist's office, it seems to have burned more than the stronger solution I purchased. Why is that?

Your dermatologist may use glycolic acid formulations with a lower pH. KAVI Glycolic Acid 40 Unbuffered, at a pH of 1.0, will sting more than KAVI Glycolic Acid 60, which is buffered to a pH of 2.1. Your dermatologist may elect to use a lower pH on your skin in a controlled environment where any adverse reactions can be diminished immediately with a counteractive agent. For more information, please click here.


Should I expect my skin to peel after I have removed KAVI Glycolic Acid from the target area?

Retail preparations of KAVI Glycolic Acid (pH=2.1) will exfoliate dead skin clusters on the surface of the skin. The best way to examine the exfoliated skin is to preserve the post-peel rinse (e.g., in a basin), where you will be able to observe the cellular debris which was removed. Though KAVI Glycolic Acid at a pH of 2.1 is a considerably strong peel, excessive peeling or flaking is not an intended result and is an indication that the peel is too strong for the skin on which it was applied.

Physician preparations of KAVI Glycolic Acid (0.6<pH<1.2) can completely keratolyze the epidermis, exposing the dermis. More information about this procedure is available in our Physician Portal.



Salicylic Peels

What is the pH level of KAVI Salicylic Acid?

KAVI Salicylic Acid's natural pH is 2.35 (+/- 0.05, depending on concentration).


Is KAVI Salicylic Acid buffered?

Retail and physician preparations of KAVI Salicylic Acid are not buffered.


Does KAVI Salicylic Acid need to be neutralized or otherwise deactivated to be safely removed?

Retail and physician preparations of KAVI Salicylic Acid can be completely removed from the skin with a cold water rinse.


Is there a safe way to check my skin's sensitivity to salicylic acid?

If you have never used salicylic acid in concentrations greater than 3% and with pH<2.5, it will be a good idea to first test your skin's sensitivity.

To test your sensitivity to salicylic acid on skin above the neckline, apply a thin layer of KAVI Salicylic Acid to a patch of clean, dry skin just below the chin. The diameter of the application should be about 1 inch of skin. Wait for 30 seconds and then rinse off with cool water. It is normal to feel some stinging during the course of the exfoliation. Monitor your skin for the next 24 hours, checking for any signs of redness or irritation. If your skin shows no signs of inflammation, then you are ready to use KAVI Salicylic Acid to exfoliate damaged skin and help maintain clear, healthy pores on your face.

To test your sensitivity to salicylic acid on skin below the neckline, apply a thin layer of KAVI Salicylic Acid to a patch of clean, dry skin on the upper arm. The diameter of the application should be about 1 inch of skin. Wait for 30 seconds and then rinse off with cool water. It is normal to feel some stinging during the course of the exfoliation. Monitor your skin for the next 24 hours, checking for any signs of redness or irritation. If your skin shows no signs of inflammation, then you are ready to use KAVI Salicylic Acid to exfoliate damaged skin and help maintain clear, healthy pores on your body.


What are the recommended instructions for applying KAVI Salicylic Acid to achieve optimal results?

1. Clean and dry the skin to be exfoliated. Make sure the skin is free of any makeup, lotions, or oils. If possible, use an anti-bacterial cleanser. KAVI DermaWash works very well on normal, combination, or oily skin.
2a. For application to localized areas on the face, saturate a cotton swab applicator (pointed tips work best) with KAVI Salicylic Acid. Apply the saturated swab to the skin, using gentle semi-circle strokes to create a thin layer over the area.
2b. For application to the body or large areas on the face, saturate one side of a folded strip of sterile gauze with KAVI Salicylic Acid. Apply the saturated side of the gauze to the skin, using gentle semi-circle strokes over the area for about 30 seconds. You may wish to wrap the gauze around a spatula (e.g., a tongue depressor) for better reach.
3. (skip this step on first use) Wait an additional 30 to 60 seconds (up to 30 seconds on sensitive skin), allowing the salicylic acid to penetrate into pores while weakening the bonds between dead skin cells on the surface.
4. Rinse off the area with cool water. If using a neutralizer, apply to target area and wait approximately 15 seconds before rinsing. Use a cold compress or allow a steady flow of cool water to run on the skin to calm the body and minimize irritation.
5. For any exfoliated skin that will come into contact with the sun, be sure to wear sufficient sunblock as your skin has temporarily lost a layer of natural protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 once per week until you have achieved the results you desire. After the first 6 to 8 weekly applications, results may begin to diminish. At this time, it is best to allow the skin to return to its natural regenerative pace. Following a one month interval, another 6 to 8 week cycle may be repeated.


I've been using KAVI Glycolic Acid for the last year to fight my acne. Should I be using KAVI Salicylic Acid instead?

Both KAVI Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid peels are keratolytic, meaning they dissolve the bonds holding together dead skin cells. However, that's where much of the similarity ends.

Glycolic acid is a regenerative agent, meaning its presence within skin cells stimulates new collagen production and cell division, slowing down the aging process.

Salicylic acid, on the other hand, is a comedolytic agent, meaning that it can break down comedones (the skin-and-oil corks that clog pores and lead to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne infections).

In brief, KAVI Glycolic Acid is for those who want younger-looking skin, and KAVI Salicylic Acid is for those who want to get rid of clogged pores and acne. For more details on the differences between the two peels, click here.


I applied KAVI Salicylic Acid to my skin for about 30 seconds before washing it off, however the stinging continued for a few minutes after I washed off the peel. Is this normal?

Salicylic Acid has a strong contact intensity (significantly stronger than a buffered glycolic peel, for example), and it is important to "watch the clock" when applying it. One thing to remember is that the clock doesn't start once you've completed applying the peel to all the skin regions you've selected, but the moment the peel comes into contact with the skin. You may wish to select smaller regions of skin to maintain a more accurate application time. For example, if you are using the peel on your chin and forehead, you could first apply on the chin, rinse, and then apply on the forehead (and rinse).

KAVI Salicylic Acid 8 is the strongest salicylic peel we recommend for home use. It is normal for it to burn for a few minutes after it is rinsed off, but you can alleviate some of the stinging by maintaining a steady flow of cold water on the skin until the burning sensation stops. Your skin should never peel in sheaths nor should it remain red/pink for more than 30 minutes after application. You also can reduce the application time to as little as 15 seconds to help keep irritation low (we recommend a 20 second minimum on the bottle, but you can opt for less time).

Always remember to apply an SPF lotion on any exfoliated skin that will come into contact with the sun (since living tissue will have less protection from the sun after a peel) and don't exfoliate more frequently than once per week to give your skin a chance to recuperate.


Should I expect my skin to peel after I have removed KAVI Salicylic Acid from the target area?

Retail preparations of KAVI Salicylic Acid (pH=2.35) will exfoliate dead skin clusters on the surface of the skin. The best way to examine the exfoliated skin is to preserve the post-peel rinse (e.g., in a basin), where you will be able to observe the cellular debris which was removed. Though KAVI Salicylic Acid at a pH of 2.35 is a considerably strong peel, excessive peeling or flaking is not an intended result and is an indication that the peel is too strong for the skin on which it was applied.

Physician preparations of KAVI Salicylic Acid (c>25%) can yield more intensive comedolysis in the treatment of severe acne. More information about this procedure is available in our Physician Portal.