Burn from retinoids
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free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:07 pm

I have scalded myself! That is exactly what it looks like..please help me if you've had this problem!
I overused my retinoid (Green Cream) and now am left with a dry, red, cracked, painful face. Everything stings and all I have been able to use is Vaseline petroleum jelly, which isn't the loveliest....anyone have any ideas what I can do til and while this all peels off??

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:40 pm

Blargh fawnie, I'm right there with you! I was an idiot and thought I could still stay on my regular tazorac schedule, even though we are experiencing a cold snap here in Boston with really brutal, drying winds. As a result, I ended up with a problem very similar to yours. For the initial stage I would recommend getting your hands on some Brave Soldier Antiseptic Healing Ointment ASAP:
http://www.skinstore.com/p-2026-brave-soldier-antiseptic-healing-ointment.aspx

The texture is very similar to Vaseline (petroleum jelly is the first ingredient), but it also has a little lidocaine to take the sting out of your face, and ingredients to help re-hydrate your skin and heal things up more quickly such as macadamia nut oil, aloe vera gel, etc. I swear by this stuff--- it is VERY healing. If you are having trouble getting your hands on this stuff and/or you don't want to wait for it to come in the mail (although I'd really recommend going ahead and getting some for emergencies), the next best thing is Burt's Bees Res-Q ointment. Again, texture is going to be similar to vaseline (no petro in this one though), but it's very soothing and healing, and also helps re-hydrate since it contains olive oil, cocoa butter, etc.

Once you get yourself past this initial cracking, painful phase, you can start to move up to leaving the ointment off during the day, and using it only at night. During the day I like to use Arcona's Hydrating Serum first (very basic, non-irritating hydrating serum full of healing honey), then layer on your regular moisturizer IF it is basic with NO actives (I use Zenbiotic's Phyto Moisture and Moisture Enrich), and then seal everything in with Arcona's Chamomile Balm on any and all rough spots. (Arcona's Chamomile Balm has been another life saver--- it has healed up my poor face in a hurry!) I then re-apply Phyto Moisture and Chamomile Balm as needed through out the day.

You probably already know this, but definitely stop all exfoliation and actives until your skin has recovered. It's taken me a couple of weeks to get my skin to completely heal, so hang in there and take it one step at a time. It's also helped me to use John Masters Organics Hydrating Mask in the shower---- I wash my face as soon as I get in the shower, then I gently massage the mask on and rinse it off before I get out of the shower. Don't try anything like this though until your skin has healed a bit more. Hang in there Fawnie--- things will get better!

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:40 pm

Ouch!

If you can get ahold of zinc powder (I bought some from garden of wisdom, but you need relief asap) you can mix it with the vaseline for a zinc paste/ointment. Finally, some diaper rash creams have really have % of zinc oxide, so you can get try to get one of those. Have you tried using the keys sunscreen- I hope it didn't sting...

Also, how about an aloe vera and honey mask? Or just honey, honey should calm the skin.

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:45 pm

I 2nd the diaper rash cream or Aquaphor.

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:59 pm

Try some liquid Maalox on a cotton ball, it's great for reducing the inflamation...Even more soothing when refrigerated!

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:49 pm

I love that Key's sunscreen, although I dont use it for the sun. I use it as a recovery moisturizer. NOTHING I have every used compares. But diaper rash cream should be similar. Basically you want Zinc Oxide in a very non irritating base. It will help with the redness.

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:46 pm

thanks guys....I actually do have some of the things you all recommended: honey and Keys....so I slapped on some Keys and it does feel better....going to do a honey mask and order some of the other things now...thank you so very much! Oh! yes liz! I forgot I had some ZB phyto left....good idea!
I just wasn't ready for this brutal midwestern cold and wind!! It peeled the hide right off my widdle face! brrrrr Shock

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:32 pm

In addition to all your great help, I did find this article, posted previously by another EDS member, which does recommend an ointment of cod liver oil and zinc oxide (baby butt paste) after peels to help with re-epitheliazation: http://janssenbeauty.com/us/skincare.html#9.

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:52 pm

I would just apply Emu Oil - its supposed to be wonderful for burns. Very recently, I was a little too over zealous with my Lactic Acid and I also burnt my face - Emu Oil fixed it in no time.

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:15 pm

Keliu wrote:

I would just apply Emu Oil - its supposed to be wonderful for burns. Very recently, I was a little too over zealous with my Lactic Acid and I also burnt my face - Emu Oil fixed it in no time.

Same here...emu oil has great anti-inflammatory properties and definitely helped heal my skin when I overdid it with the Retin A/Nu Derm protocol.

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:36 pm

thanks keliu and bethany....I do have some emu oil!! I'll give that a try too! Good thing DH is not home tonite....I look like a piece of greasy fried chicken!! nom nom

free skin care · Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:44 pm

Emu oil sounds interesting. I wonder if it would make pores bigger though.

free skin care · Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:20 am

How about an update Fawnie--- how are things looking? Thankfully, my skin is just about back to normal now, just slightly drier and flakier than usual but that's something I can totally deal with. Just in time for all the holiday pictures too! Hope your skin is healing up nicely too--- hang in there!

free skin care · Sun Nov 23, 2008 9:34 am

fawnie wrote:

I have scalded myself! That is exactly what it looks like..please help me if you've had this problem!
I overused my retinoid (Green Cream) and now am left with a dry, red, cracked, painful face. Everything stings and all I have been able to use is Vaseline petroleum jelly, which isn't the loveliest....anyone have any ideas what I can do til and while this all peels off??

Oh brother Fawnie! I would just stay with the Vaseline and use NOTHING else. Everyone has their own opinions. In this case gentle skin care at the moment is what you need. So Cetaphil cleanser and a light coating of your vaseline for the next 2-3 weeks should do the trick.

free skin care · Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:16 pm

thanks liz, I still have rough skin but not as tight. The peeling is minimal, but I wish it would get over & done with!

I put some hyaluronic acid on over my ZB phyto moisture, then the emu oil, then some Keys sunblock. I put my MATIS eye/lip mask over that frequently during the day.
I found that my foundation, MakeUp Forever HD, does do a pretty decent job of toning down the redness and locks in some moisture too.

At night the emu oil alone is helping.
I ordered some Arcona Hydrating Serum for the future, thanks! grrr I hope I don't do that again! thanks for the advice and follow-up!

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