Recovering Process from my Phenol Peel - Tucson, AZ

Growing up in Arizona without spending much thought on the proper care of protecting my skin has left my skin with many fine & deep wrinkles. Add smoking and genetics & I am looking much older than my 39 years. After much deliberation, I have decided to go thru with the expensive & lengthy recovery process of a phenol peel. After 6 hours I would describe my rating as undecided. There was an extreme burning sensation & quite a lot of swelling. Cold wet compresses & assurances from my surgeon that the burning would ease up by the evening (along with Percocet) are the only things to get me thru this so far. I was put under with general anesthesia for the surgery and had no problems with that, there are some bruises from where the locals were also given.

Thankfully, other than my skin felling afire, I haven't felt additional pain or nausea.
24 hours: I am awake with severe swelling, but not much pain at all. The doctor told me the swelling will peak at 48-72 hours then subside. It will be very scary to have my eyes swollen shut, but am prepared. I got to wash my face for the 1st time and was scared it was going to hurt. It didn't hurt, but didn't offer much relief in this awkwardness of feeling huge & "oozy" either. My teenagers are a little frightened of me , but told them I would get worse before I was better. My husband is being a trooper, but this is pretty disgusting. I can't wait for the swelling to subside! I have been told to apply Vaseline every chance I could & it is EVERYWHERE! Will post my progress again when I can see. Still undecided, but hopeful!

Start of day 4- swelling is down! Never knew my face could get that big! My face is very red and tender, as I am typing I am working up the nerve of doing my first "wash" of the day. It seems to be most painful in the morning after it gets a little too dry while sleeping. I am still battling Vaseline, can't wait to get past that stage, I don't think I will ever be able to smell it again without thinking if all if this! Today is my 1st follow up with the surgeon, I have been following his directions, but still afraid at times of scarring because I'm not sure how everything should look. Will follow up later- will try again to post some pics, scary but a good idea of what will happen. (looks much worse than it feels!)

Day 7!! Looking much better, I wouldn't head to the store yet but probably wouldn't make a baby cry! I am still very red, but have no pain at all, even when I'm doing my washes. I have started to itch, very badly!! I took the recommended dose of Benadryl, but it hasn't seemed to help much. I am really hoping not to scratch too much in my sleep. And I have now "graduated" from 24 hour Vaseline coating to aquaphor!