Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

See All Reviews
See All Reviews
POSTED UNDER Green Peel REVIEWS

HORRIFYING and Depressing Experience!

ORIGINAL POST

I received the green peel and yes, it was an...

jcmbagirlNovember 11, 2007
$1,000

I received the green peel and yes, it was an uncomfortable process, but I didn't care. You see, the medical spa that I went to suggested the green based on my acne and hyperpigmentation. So I didn't care that the process would be uncomfortable--there's an old saying "suffer for beauty." My skin took on a five day process of peeling and then I followed up my green peel with a post peel. In about 10 days or less, my skin had a adverse reaction to this green peel. My skin broke out in bumps, my pimples have been bleeding. My mother thought I had the mumps or the chicken pox. I have ethnic skin and my hyperpigmentation has worsened as well as the acne. My forehead looks awful as well as the sides of my face. Unfortunately, I can't even cover my face with makeup, the makeup isn't strong enough to conceal the damage. I am worried because I have never had these kind of pimples before.

I DON'T recommend the green peel as it was and IS a depressing experience especially as a young woman. I wasted my money and my time. Furthermore, the spa that I went to does not offer refunds. I purchased three green peels and only had one--I will not get another one and so I have lost money on the other two green peels.

jcmbagirl's provider

Pure MedSpa

Replies (40)

(unregistered guest)
January 22, 2008
I was wondering where Jcmbagirl in Schaumburg, Illinois had her green peel. I am also in Schaumburg and would like to get a peel. I don't want to go to the Medispa she went to since they won't refund her two unused peels. That policy sounds illegal. You should be able to get a refund if you aren't going to have more peels. I would insist on a refund!
jcmbagirl
January 28, 2008
The company gave me back my money this month actually, but the money is not my concern. My skin is still SEVERELY screwed up as a result of the company's negligence. I don't even know if my skin is repairable, but I am keeping faith. As I stated before, I am ethnic and my skin naturally hyperpigments after a bump, pimple, etc. After I had the green peel, my skin broke out into dozens and dozens of bumps, which has resulted in dozens and dozens of brown spots (hyperpigmentation) all over my face. I wish I would have never gone there. The staff lied to me from the beginning up until the end. Yes, I have my money back, but my face is just horrible. Everytime, I look in the mirror I just cry.
(unregistered guest)
April 24, 2008
I read your message on wanting a green peel. I own a salon in crystal lake and perform green peel facials. I would love for you to come and experience a peel at the salon. Call me and i will take $25.00 off. {edited phone number} Take Care Melissa Editor note: you must join RealSelf so you can be contacted privately with doctor recommendations and feedback. This requires free registration for an account. When registering you must opt-in to receiving private contacts (a check box).
(unregistered guest)
April 2, 2008
Have you looked at the Obagi products? I've had great results on ethnic skin with melasma and hyperpigmentation. You may want to look at Oabgi web sites and see if you can get the pigment under control using these products. How long was the peel left on and do you know if the person applying it was actually licensed. Just because the spa is a medi spa doesn't mean that everyone doing treatments are licensed. I'm sorry you had such a horrible experience.
jcmbagirl
July 29, 2008
Thank you for your response. No, I have not looked at Obagi products. Maybe I will do research on Obagi. I was informed during my intial consultation that I would be working with experienced licensed estheticians. I even asked about Pure Med Spa's experience with ethnic skin and they assured me that their experience with darker skin was vast. After my skin went berserk, I was informed by the manager that "ethnic skin is harder." That statement ticked me off because if it was harder for them, then they should not have taken my money and performed procedures on me.
Nurdiyanah
July 3, 2008
Hi Was the Green Peel product from a Dr Christine Schrammek. I have heard stories of companies imitating her products and customers ending up in bad reactions such as yourself. Hope your face is all cleared up sweetie.Good Luck. :)
jcmbagirl
July 29, 2008
Hi Nurdiyanah Thanks for your response. Pure Med Spa used Dr. Christine Schrammek's Green Peel products. My face is not cleared up, I still have dozens and dozens of brown marks on my face :( The marks are fading though--Thank God! I hope that they will fade completely.
pipsnum
August 30, 2008
I am terribly sorry about your experience. My advice to you is don't trust any doctor or any aesthetician. I had a terrible lactic peel experience and I am still irritated and frustrated with what had happened more than six months ago My skin is now slightly redder and darker everywhere the aesthetician applied the lactic peel on. She claims that she had left it on only for 3 minutes but I am sure she had left it on much longer than the permitted. On top of this she applied much pressure right under my eyes to remove milia and this has left a scar under my eye. What did help my skin was to wash simply with water and not apply anything but a mix of essential oils and pure aloe. I hear rosehip oil helps as well. Moreover, t a micro retin-A gel my dermatologist recommended only made my condition worse. I think it is wise to not listen to what aestheticians nor any other supposed skin professional tell you what procedure or skin application you should try out, WIthout complete diagnosis or understanding of yhow your skin works. I would say even a self-diagnosis is better. Also, peels are generally best on caucasian skin. Asian skin and other ethnic skins do not respond as well.
Kelly Kizer
October 21, 2008
jcmbagirl...I'm so sorry you had such a horrible experience. As an esthetician for 11 years I can tell you that many "med-spas" will do anything for just about anyone who will pay the money. It's shamefull. And when you have a horrible result or reaction they pull out the informed consent sheet you signed that details all the contraindications and possible adverse reactions. PLEASE take those claims seriously people! Be very gentle with your skin right now and be SURE to wear an SPF of 20 or higher with a zinc base..this will help prevent further scarring. To "pipsnum"...I can understand after your experiences how you might not trust estheticians but believe me, we ARE trained skin in skin care and know "how it works" but we do NOT diagnose. Client's self diagnosis' and self treatment is often the basis of most skin problems. Example...You think its oily because you have a few blackheads and then strip the living you know what out of it and cause all kinds of other issues. Most estheticians do this job because we absolutely love it and know how to tell a client NO when it's in their best interest. If I wouldn't put it on my skin I won't put it on a client's skin. Having said that, you as the client/patient also have a duty to do a bit of homework on your chosen doctor or esthetician and whatever they happen to offer you in the way of treatments or products. Peels, microderm, laser, etc., are not for everyone and there are contraindications and possible adverse reactions with all products and treatments...even over the counter products. FWIW...I am a huge advocate of oils and gentle cleansing...rosehip seed oil is amazing for the skin!!
jcmbagirl
November 12, 2008
Thanks, kmk for the response. I was never told that I would have any adverse reactions nor did I sign an informed consent for the green peel.
Kelly Kizer
February 7, 2009
Then I would have to say that you went to someone whose ethics, and most likely skills, are in question. If it were me...I would report them to the state licensing board. I hate to say that but this kind of thing is discrediting the reputations of estheticians who take their profession and their clients well being seriously.
skyndeep
November 3, 2008
I agree with kmk. It is also very important to do everything that is required of you during the treatments, so that you get the best out of it. I have heard of people not doing so and suffering the consequences. Also the therapist may have gone too hard on your skin, there are three different pressures that should be applied depending on the type of skin, people who have slight pigmentation should have light pressure to lift it but if heavy pressure is applied it can cause excessive pigmentation to occur. In isolated cases, which is what I am hearing a bit in these reveiws is that severe skin reaction can be caused by a massage that is carried out in an impropper way (too much pressure or too long a duration of the massage)or not in line with the texture of the skin. Unfortunately there are people out there that are abusing a very good and effective treatment and I bet my bottom dollar that they are not trained to do the procedure. Also everyone is different and it can work in different ways for different people as it works with your skins own natural regeneration processes. Before beginning a peeling treatment, a THOROUGH skin analysis and an INTENSIVE consulting session are necessary to determine whether the skin of the customer is SUITABLE for a GREEN PEEL herbal peeling treatment. Even though it is entirely made up of natural plant ingredients and wont hurt the eyes of a patient or hands of the therapist,does not mean it is suitable for everyone! Did they take before and after photo's? The same goes for chemical peels, laser resurfacing, microderm etc. Not everything natural is good for you and not everything synthetic is bad for you!! Another thing to remember, there are no guarantees in life except death and taxes. And it always pays to shop around.
See More Green Peel Reviews
See All Reviews