Salicylic Peel Q&A
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Redness After 18% Salicylic Acid Peel

asked 11 months ago by Daisy in Brisbane in Brisbane, Australia
Latest answer by Kirk A. Churukian, MD
Question viewed 1,390 times
Tags: redness, 1 day post-op, normal, patchy

I had my first 18% chemical peel done yesterday (22/07/11) for mild/mod acne (I have never had a chem peel prior). And today I am very red/ brown and patchy around my mouth and on the left side of my nose and under my eye. Is this normal? Or have I sustained a burn or hyper-pigmentation? I had it done in my derm's office; however, they are closed for the wknd and just wanted some advice.

4 answers to Redness After 18% Salicylic Acid Peel

+2

I have my patients protect from the sun and keep the skin moisturized.

I tell my patients to wear a large brimmed hat to keep sun off the face and apply Vanilpy or Aquaphor Healing Ointment frequently until the skin heals.
Mark Taylor, MD

Salt Lake City Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

Normal peel reaction

Salicylic acid peels up to 30%, in general, are safely used in people of all skin pigmentation types. From what I can see in your pictures, you have a very normal amount of red/brown color that I would expect to see 24 hours after your peel. Any dark spots you had to begin with tend to get darker before they peel. Redness and darkening can last for 4-7 days while the peeling takes place. Areas around the mouth, eyes, and nose tend to peel first. I think you will... more
Michael Contreras, MD

Denver Dermatologist
+2

Salicylic acid peels can normally cause redness

No worries. Your salicylic acid peel seems to have caused an appropriate amount of redness. Some people will have more redness, while others will have less. Were you using any topical acne medications such as retin-A or tazorac? These can cause more redness after a peel if they were not discontinued before the peel. I do not anticipate any hyperpigmentation based on the apparent amount of redness. Good luck
Daniel I. Wasserman, MD

Naples Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Postpeel Skin Recovery

Usually after a 18% salicylic peel the skin has red/brown blotchy areas for 1-3 days. You may begin to notice some peeling around the mouth on day 2 or 3. Peeling continues for 5-7 days. Not all of the peeling is noticable, especially on the sides of the face. A noncomedogenic moisturizer and a physical sun block (SPF 30) should be used during this recovery period.
Kirk A. Churukian, MD

Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon

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