Facial Burns from Superficial Chemical Peel

I recently had a chemical peel (supposedly superficial). I followed the nurse's instructions in terms of using moisturizer and SPF 30 along with Cloderm 1%. I was wondering why my face would still burn every time I put on the SPF and Cloderm. I come to find out that I have a Chemical Burn on my face as a result of the chemical peel. The whole right side of my face is completely discolored to a point where you can see where the nurse wiped on the chemicals on my face.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do to correct my face? I was once a DIVA but now I have a major complex about myself....The dermatologist finally admitted that I have a Chemical Burn on my face. Do I need to talk to a reconstructive surgeon now? Desperately seeking advice.

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by williakk in Marietta, Ga

Doctor Answers (4)
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Need to be checked by your physician

There are several areas of concern with the problem that you are reporting. I am assuming that your chemical peel was done within the last few weeks. It is important to understand what type of peel was done and the time sequences for the problems you are having now. It is possible to develop a deep burn, like a second degree burn with chemical peel agents. It depends upon what specific agents were used for your peel and how your skin was prepped for the initial procedure. A TCA peel will... more

You may inadvertently have received a deeper chemical peel

Without actually seeing you, it is difficult to determine the extent of injury to the skin. If hyperpigmentation (skin that is darker than your normal skin) is present, 2-3 weeks after your peel, consider applying hydroquinone with moisturizer in the morning, and tretinoin cream (retin-a) with moisturizer in the evening. If you are still in the healing phase following the peel, I would apply a thin layer of aquaphor healing ointment (available over-the-counter) daily. For a light chemical... more

Chemical burns to the face

Chemical burns can happen from any chemical peel treatment. It is difficult to give you advice without seeing your skin, knowing the type of peel depth you had, etc.. Seek close care and follow-up from your doctor to get through this.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Chemical peel burns are a difficult problem

If this treatment is still recent, wait, use sunscreeen, and hopefully you can get some of the pigment back. If this is an old treatment, dealing with hypopigmention following chemical peel (or laser) could be difficult to treat. After the initial healing phase, a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist comfortable with IPL, lasers, and peels might suggest a very conservative treatment to try to even out the discoloration. In extreme cases camouflage therapy (makeup) might be the... more