Burnt my face with a chemical peel about 2 years ago and it still looks terrible. Any options for repairing? (photos)

Question

~2 years ago I tried a glycolic acid peel at home. First one was fine but this 2nd time it burned terribly (maybe b/c my Tretinoin?). Stupidly left it on for 10 minutes anyway and got horrified when I saw the streaks after neutralizing. Applied lotion but when it peeled terribly over the next couple days I also stupidly scrubbed off the flaky skin. Now the skin is red,leathery/bubbly texture, and you can see streaks where it's different heights. Any hope? Currently using clyndamyacin and tazorac

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

I would suggest using Melapads daily exfoliating pads and Melarase to help even out your skin complexion and improve the burn marks. In addition, PDL may also help.Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest you speak to a cosmetic dermatologist who can get you on a long term skin care and laser treatment plan.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD · Answer

Anyone using tretinoin needs to be ultra cautious about using other exfoliation products. You now understand why. Had you asked your doctor who prescribed the tretinoin, I can guarantee you would have been advised not to do any home peeling.Further traumatizing the skin by picking and peeling adds to the problems. Call your doctor for some immediate instructions. Once your skin is not in reactive phase, your doctor can assess the damage and decide what might need to be done.it is tempting to try at-home peels and generally if done correctly, a low level 10% should not be a problem - but that's based on the assumption you are not already using products that could interact with the peel.I'm sorry you have had this experience but thank you for sharing. Others hopefully will be spared by reading your story.Please follow up later in the community forum on what your doctor advised and any treatments you had to level things out for you.

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

It is very unusual to get burned with 10% glycolic acid but if that is what happened along with all the trauma to the skin afterwards first of all stop putting anything on except washing your face withCetaphil and applying plain Vaseline at least twice a day and see a board certified dermatologist as soon as you can

Burnt my face with a chemical peel about 2 years ago and it still looks terrible. Any options for repairing? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Glycolic acid burn

Answer: Glycolic acid burn

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Everything you need to know about Glycolic Peel

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Burnt my face with a chemical peel about 2 years ago and it still looks terrible. Any options for repairing? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Glycolic acid burn

Answer: Glycolic acid burn

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Glycolic Peel

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.