How to Use Correctives Properly

 

Your corrective products are typically found toward the end of your protocol, and some may be used both morning and night. These products are formulated to work exactly as written—they are not interchangeable, and dosages should not be adjusted. Please read the following guidelines carefully to ensure optimal results and avoid unintended reactions.

 

Corrective products include any form of retinoids (retinol or tretinoin) and any products with Hydroquinone (HQ).

 

Why You Must Follow Instructions Exactly

Each protocol is carefully designed with specific products meant to work together. Using only some products, changing dosages, or substituting with alternatives disrupts the entire formula, much like altering ingredients in a recipe. You wouldn’t swap bacon and sausage for eggs in a dish and expect the same flavor. The same applies here.

 

Dosage Matters

• Corrective products will always include an exact dosage (e.g., 1 full pump, a fingertip amount).

• Skin-strengthening or anti-aging products may offer flexible dosing (e.g., 2–4 pumps).

• Do not deviate from the listed dosage on correctives.

• No—it is not too much for your face. These dosages are specifically calibrated for your face and under the chin only.

 

🛑 Do NOT apply corrective products to other areas of the body, including the neck or chest.

✅ You may use skin-strengthening products on other areas, but increase the dosage accordingly. Corrective products are not designed for other areas and sharing them will reduce effectiveness on your face and may trigger unexpected reactions.

 

How to Apply Correctives

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Corrective products (especially Tretinoin and HQ) may feel heavy and take time to absorb.

Follow this method:

1. Use the dot method: Apply small dots across your face using a fingertip.

2. Massage each section for ~20 seconds. If it doesn’t absorb easily, let it sit for a minute, then gently pat into the skin.

3. Repeat until the full dosage is applied.

4. Focus on pigmented areas first.

5. Avoid the eyes, corners of the lips, and keep:

   • 1 finger-width away from the eyes

   • 2 finger-widths away from tattooed eyebrows (correctives may fade brow pigment)

 

    6. Apply the nasolabial folds, nose crevices, and jawline last with minimal product—these are sensitive zones. You may want to apply additional barrier support products on these areas first, such as Restorative or Rebalance.

     7.Feather product lightly under the chin. Do not apply to the neck.

 

Important Reminders

• Wash your hands thoroughly after applying correctives. These products transfer easily to hands, surfaces, children, pets, and can stain or irritate unintended areas.

• Apply at least 30 minutes before bed and avoid looking down (e.g., at your phone) during that time to prevent product transfer to the neck.

• Be cautious of babies or pets touching your face shortly after application.

• When applying SPF or makeup last in the morning, we advise waiting a few minutes. Be cautious of how you apply not to spread onto the neck or by the eyes. Your application on these areas should ensure that you are moving correctives onto those areas. We suggest applying SPF and makeup near eyes and mouth first with clean hands or to use more of a patting to applying SPF and makeup rather than massaging.

 

Neck and Décolleté Use (Optional)

Do not use prescription (Rx) correctives on your neck or chest. If you'd like to treat those areas:

• Evening: Mix a small amount of Retinol 1% with Hydrinity’s Encore

• Morning: Mix Exfoderm Forte with Encore

Start slowly and build tolerance. As your skin acclimates, you can gradually increase the proportion of retinol or Exfoderm Forte.

Of course, you need to double cleanse, tone, and use barrier support on these areas AM and PM if you apply any products with actives for correction (Retinol, Glycolic, Salicylic, or Lactic)

 

 What to Avoid While on Correctives

🛑 No facial waxing — this can cause scarring and hyperpigmentation. ✔ Instead: Shave, tweeze, or thread only

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🛑 No professional skin treatments outside of Spruce Micro while on correctives. This includes:

• Facials

• Microneedling

• Heated treatments (e.g., lasers, steam)

 

Even seemingly gentle treatments that were well tolerated before can now cause severe reactions. Do not risk it.

 

🛑 No steam or extreme heat or prolonged sun exposure If you are planning a sunny vacation, then follow the steps outlined in the resource center to adjust correctives for a special event. Please let us know in your e-check in that this adjustment was made. If the adjustment was made for longer than 2 weeks, please text the clinic to reschedule your e-check in (if virtual).

 

 

Final Notes

Everything in your protocol has a purpose. Do not modify your products, dosage, or application methods. Reactions may occur—but they are expected and manageable if you follow your plan correctly. Straying from it can lead to setbacks, skin damage, or wasted progress.

 

If you have questions or need clarification, please reach out during your next check-in—we’re here to support you.

 

 

Fingertip Dosage

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