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Chemical Peel Cost ≈ $600 average cost

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“Chemical Peel Gone Bad”

Jilzy123 9 posts

Comments (18)
Posted 9 Jan 2010

Not Worth It

Spent: $210 in Tampa, FL

My primary doctor (at the time) was doing laser and derm practices. He had advertised medical grade chemical peels. I called the office and went in for a patch test. He did a 30% TCA peel near my ear area. There wasn't much action when i had gone it to get it checked 4 days later.

When I had gone in for the procedure, he had used a Jessner peel, a 30% TCA, and a 50 % TCA. Which I didn't find out til I ended up seeing a dermatologist 2 weeks later. (they needed my medical records) A friend of my had gotten me in to see her derm right away)

The third day into the peel I noticed the right lip/cheek area had a deep purple/reddish look to it. I questioned the doctor about it and he said everything looks "perfect"

Well anyway, you can see for yourself it didn't turn out perfect. I have scars on the lip area and about a 4 in scar across my forehead. The photos I have posted are 7 days after peel. The left side of my face doesn't look too bad, but the right side and forehead are a mess. Will Dermabrasion help with the scarring?

Updated on Sep 20, 2009:

Updated on Sep 28, 2009:

Updated on Jan 4, 2010:

Updated on Jan 9, 2010:
Will Microdermabrasion help with scarring from a Chemical peel?

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

Vote: 31 members found this review helpful

Comments (18)

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David C. Pearson, MD (372 posts) 20 Sep 2009

At least from the photos you posted from day 7, that looks like a typical day 7 appearance from a medium-deep peel. But you say that you saw a dermatologist "2 weeks later" or another week after these photos. What did the dermatologist say?

View answers from David C. Pearson, MD

Jilzy123 (9 posts) 20 Sep 2009

When i had gone to see the derm, she was very concerned about the lip/cheek/forehead area. The areas were open and not healing. She cultured the areas to check for staff and or bacteria infection. Gave me Biafine and an antibiotic ointment for the open wounds. The wounds on the lip/ear/forehead are that of 3rd degree burns. I had to see her every week for a month to see how healing was going. She said microdermabrasion will help with the scarring, wont get rid of all of it, but will soften the scars. I had also gone to see a neurologist and I have nerve damage to the lip area that runs up to the cheek and the forehead. He put me on LYRICA. Its been almost 8 months now and I am left with 2 deep scars on the lip (they are about 2mm deep, one is 4mm round and the other is about 1cm x 1 1/2 cm square. They have a whitish/grey/blue look to them, The one on my forehead is a 4in white scar with a deep hole where my primary dug out the scab. The one in my hairline that he also dug out the scab has a bald spot). What a mistake i made!!! I will add a photo from 2 weeks, 2 days

Jilzy123 (9 posts) 20 Sep 2009

Staph

David C. Pearson, MD (372 posts) 23 Sep 2009

Yikes! Those appear to be pretty deep in these new photos. It would be good to see what they look like now, 8 months later. Many times a mature scar (6-12 months after the peel) can be improved with scar revision techniques, sometimes dramatically. Just to clarify, though, microdermabrasion (in contrast to true dermabrasion) will do nothing for scars. I suspect your dermatologist meant dermabrasion. It's good you posted this, though. It certainly highlights the potential dangers in these cosmetic procedures. Best of luck, --DCP

View answers from David C. Pearson, MD

KTA (31 posts) 24 Sep 2009

OMG....that guy did overkill BIGTIME! It really looks like he didn't know what the heck he was doing! Why did he give you so many solutions, peels? I would think the Jessner Peel would have been enough, especially if it was your first time. Then you could have done a little more the next time after healing from that. I hope you continue to heal and your face gets better. It's unfortunate that you may have some permanent damage. I wish you all the best!

Jilzy123 (9 posts) 26 Sep 2009

The scars are still very noticeable. They have a whitish/blue/gray look to them. (if that makes any sense) And they are still deep. I had questioned the Dermatologist about them, she said because it burned so deep in those areas, it is the blood vessels under the skin, and something else about fibers of the skin(?) I will post a newer picture of the scars soon. I just had my first dermabrasion treatment on 9/23/09. It was a Parisian peel at the dermatologist office. It wasnt bad at all. The areas where I ended up with nerve damage (lip/cheek/hairline) area scarred me a bit, but it wasn't bad, I thought it would hurt more than it did. The only thing was after the peel, those areas have been VERY itchy, pinchy and sensitive. I havent noticed a difference yet, but i'm hoping that after the 5th and final peel, i will. What frustrates me so much is with this nerve damage, no one can see what i feel. Its depressing!!!!

Jilzy123 (9 posts) 29 Sep 2009

I have posted the newer pictures 8 mos after peel, and 3 days after my first dermabrasion. In natural lighting vs taking a picture with a flash at night, they do look worse than what you can see. Of course I see it every time I look in a mirror, or see a picture.

shaz1234 (1 post) 5 Oct 2009

Hi Just wanted to say sorry you had such a bad experience with your peel, But your skin seems loads better in your recent pictures I cant even see your scars. I am constantly researching review's on chemical peels as I have melasma on my face and I hate it (that I too notice every time I look in the mirror or see a picture of myself). Your comments would now make me think twice, I didn't even know you could end up with nerve damage because of it... I don't know the reason for you getting a peel but did it improve your skin in anyway ? . I just want my dark marks gone!!!!

Jilzy123 (9 posts) 13 Oct 2009

No, it didn't improve my skin at all. I would never do it again. It is ALOT better, thank goodness for time!! The nerve damage is from where the chemical peeled and burned too deep, and into the underlying layers of the skin. I still have the "orange peel" look (old acne scars) on the cheeks, and the skin isn't any tighter. It was a of Jessner's peel, then a mixture of 30% TCA and 50% TCA. From what I understand way to strong for a peel. At first the Doc wanted to do a Phoenol peel, good thing I told him "no" or the mess could have been worse. If you compare to two sides of the lip area, the right side (left in the picture) you can see the difference in color and texture. I hope you find what your looking for. Please, Please make sure you go to a good dermatologist or plastic surgeon, ask alot of questions and do alot of research. I did do alot of research, but the Doc that did my peel, I dont think he really knew what he was doing, but I trused him, he was my Doctor.

SkyHigh (3 posts) 15 Oct 2009

I know what you have and are still experiencing. Like you, I had a glycolic peel that, by medical standards, should not have cause severe facial burns. It has been 11 weeks and I am still under the care of my dermatologist. He says it could take 6-8 months to heal and maybe longer. What I don't understand is why your primary care doc would 'dig out' a scab. That normally causes scarring which you were trying to prevent. Also, nerves that a long time to heal. I have had nerve damage several times and while slow, some or all of the may come back to normal. It is unfortunate that things like this happen. Let's continue to remain educated and conservative when considering cosmetic procedures. I have seen many good results but have also seen disasters. It is truly a gamble as there are so many factors involved. Good luck....may you return to normal. From your pictures, you have come a long way.

Samir Shureih, MD (2,990 posts) 28 Nov 2009

That is the results from wanabe plastic surgeons Eventually you may have superficial scars. I would recommend waiting 3-6 month then treat with skin care and fractional co2 laser

View answers from Samir Shureih, MD

Jilzy123 (9 posts) 14 Dec 2009

Well, I definitely have scarring, on the lip/cheek and forehead area. I also have nerve damage in those areas. I have had 3 dermabrasion treatments and am due for the 4th next week. The scars do appear softer on the outline, but are still very noticeable. Dr. said dermabrasion wont help with the nerve damage or discoloration from the peel. The cold weather and my face are not friends. It hurts so bad. I just keep my face covered. Thats all I can do. Thank you Dr Shureih, for your imput.

Jilzy123 (9 posts) 14 Dec 2009

It's been 10 months since my chemical peel. The scarring is still noticeable after 3 dermabrasion treatments. I'd have to say the scarring is a bit softer, but the skin still has the whitish/bluish/gray color to it. Derm said the treatments won't help with the coloring. The nerve damage on the lip and forehead are VERY frustrating. Now that the weather is getting colder, it hurts/itches/stings so much more than it did in the summer. The only thing that will help with nerve damage is time. Thank you all for your comments!!!!

Darryl J. Blinski, MD (5,456 posts) 10 Jan 2010

Sorry for your unfortunate problems. I truly doubt microdermabrasion will help. But if it makes you feel better than go ahead. I would wait a total of 12 to 18 months for FULL healing. Than try IPL treatments . This was a medium peel that possibly got a staph infection during the initial healing. It makes one wonder why a test with 30% TCA and than Jessner's for the peeling. Testing show intent to do the right thing but switching for a much stronger solution is very unusual. Good Luck

View answers from Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Samir Shureih, MD (2,990 posts) 11 Jan 2010

Hello I am Glad the scars are a little Better. I would recommend using SILICONE GEL SGEETING ON THE SCARS. Use it at night. You may need a prescription for it.It makes the scar matures faster

View answers from Samir Shureih, MD

6374anon (1 post) 6 Apr 2010

oooh I am soooo sorry. I had a similar episode to. I went to this spa and the lady combined microdemabrasion with a gygolic peel and the first time was okay the second time she combined it again and it caused discoloration on my forehead. I went back to her and she put a medium to dseep peel which she said will correct the discoloration all of this was done within a 6 week period.The third one gave me more discoloration. I thought she knew what she was doing because she told me she is very experience with people of my color. I went back to her very upset and she told me it woud fade within 3 months. Its been 6 months now and the scars r still there. I am sooo depress. I don't even look into mirrors anymore. I am now seeing a skin specialist who applied this peel from pca she said it was designed for people of color. She said by the 4 peel i should be okay.It was a very mild peel. She said i might need between 4-5 every 3 weeks to see a n improvement. I hope so. I want the discloration to go so bad. It has affected my self esteem soooooo much. I wish u luck. I'll keep u in prays.

Dr. McCloud (1 post) 2 Aug 2010

Please trust me on this. Not every doctor is perfect. The scars you have may fade or lesson over years, but they may not go away. Bad chemical peels are actually quite common. What may seem like a minor scar now, may be a big problem in the years to come as your skin and age change. This is the time to secure an attorney (before the one year date) and cover yourself. You will find it difficult and expensive to have corrective procedures done, because many doctors avoid cases when there is already some type of poor procedure. Then again, there are many wonderful doctors who take on such cases. Don't let this pass, as you may be very sorry in the years to come. Dr. McCloud Retired

NormanDarrin D. (1 post) 3 Mar 2011

Traitor to health? After a Toronto Star study, Canadian officials have acknowledged that the country utilized the infamous chemical herbicide Agent Orange to kill roadside brush from the 1950s to the 1980s. The herbicide Agent Orange is infamous as a chemical warfare agent that was utilized by the U.S. military throughout the Vietnam War. In accordance with a wide variety of scientific studies, the chemical agent is responsible for massively high instances of genetic defects in areas where it's dispersed.

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“Chemical Peel Gone Bad”

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