“Glycolic Peel Left Me with More Swelling Than Was Expected”

I would think it was caused because of the combination with the Valtrex as well

Hi i am Beauty Therapist from England and have been performing glycolic peels for the past 3 years. As you say at the top of the page you believe and were told? that you had a 40% glycolic peel. Your dermatologist is correct it look's like the Tri-chloroacetic Acid (TCA) was used on you and this is under the list of 'medium' peels but is said to really improve fine lines but you should of been informed what they were using before the procedure. I have never personally informed clients to take medication after a peel if you were? But as i am not a doctor and only perform 30% facial peels it maybe different! Best of luck!

I had a 70% glycolic peel (one or two layers), and had ZERO reaction other than slight redness...no peeling, nothing. It sounds like they used something much stronger on you!

To all who have replied....thank you so much. My doc agrees with all of you. He says there is no way that a 30% glycolic acid peel should have affected my face like it did. The good news is that my face continues to heal each day but my dermatologist says it could be 2-4 more months before it is totally healed. Once an area heals (the redness goes away), hyperpigmentation (brownish color) seems to follow. I have been told by my dermatologist that I can now mix Obagi Blender it a .05 Tretinion which, over time, should diminish the hyperpigmentation. Also, the doc recommended GloMineral makeup which has great coverage and many healing properties in it. Again...thanks!

i am licenesed 2 and who said it was ok to go over it 3 times expecally at a 40% some has 2 have extra licenese 2 do a 40 and they have 2 work underneath a dr.

i believe it all depends on the skin. i have did them on some they can handle it and some are super sensitive and you can only make one pass over them...good luck 2 you.

Do you have any new up to date photos? I have posted some newer photos from my experience from my peel. I still have scarring even after 3 out of 5 dermabrasion treatments. I would like to see how you are doing. Jill

yellowbee i have been trained in glycolic peel and i dont have to have a doctor over me.. im not saying at all that you are wrong as i just got into the business but i am intrested in other things i may not know about.

People with Herpes should NEVER get a glycolic peel. Any properly trained esthetician or doctor should have told you that. That is why they ask you are you taking any medications? Suffer from any diseases, when you get a consultation, but it seems you didn't get a proper consultation to have be forewarned. When you took the Valtrex your body counteracted in the form of swelling. You are very lucky that it all it did, there are a lot of people who have Herpes that have gotten severe chemical burns and now have permanent scarring from this procedure, and have had seizures so consider yourself lucky. People who have Herpes, AIDS, going through chemotherapy, or any other type of immune hindering disorders should NEVER get an glycolic peel, and definitely you never should have taken the Valtrex. Whoever your doctor who administered this did you a great disservice and if I were you I would find a skincare doctor who knows what they are doing because again you could have ended up much worse that what happened to you. even your follow up doctor doesn't seem to bright, but then again he might be an internist not a dermatologist so I will give him the benefit of a doubt, but the person who put it on you with out asking about your medications or medical background should be fired immediately. Next time try salicylic peel or AHA's which are much gentler and deemed safe for you reaction wise. AHA's take a little longer to work on a permanent level with good results with way less risks involved for you.