Today I received a Salicylic acid peel 20% at Plastic surgeons office. Is this normal? (fair-medium Asian skin).

It sounds like you had a significant response to the peel. The SA peel is self-neutralizing since your own proteins naturally neutralize the peel solution, so it does not necessarily need to be washed off. The skin is bronzed because the top layer dies and is darker until sloughed off.Contact your MD for post-peel instructions, it is important in your skin type that the inflammation not be allowed to ccreate postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, so you may wish to see him/her in about 5-7 days.

Thank you for your question. It sounds like he did a medium peel on you, not all peels need to be neutralized and some should be left on and not washed off immediately. I would recommend calling your doctor and having him email you post care instructions. What you are experiencing sounds normal, peels will bring sun damage and pigment up to the surface and as your skin sloughs off the dark spots will lighten up. Keep out of the sun and wear sunscreen, do not pick or peel skin off as it is sloughing and use mild products with no AHAs or BHAs until your skin has fully healed. Be patient with this process and contact your doctor for further instructions. Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard