35% glycolic peel..Is this normal? Please help :(
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Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:23 am

I already posted this on another forum and got no replies so thought I'd try here.

I did my first glycolic peel 16 hours ago. I did do a patch test 3 days earlier to see how my skin would react (normal reaction, slight redness went away after neutralizing), and I even worried that 35% wasn't strong enough!

I followed the instructions that came with my kit and left it on for 50 seconds, I couldn't have left it on longer because it stung my eyes so bad I couldn't keep them open lol. I neutralized and then used organic argan oil to moisturize.

Right now the skin on my forhead and neck feels tight, itchy and a little rubbery which I believe is normal, but the skin on my cheeks has raised red blotches all over that like hives. Could the skin on my cheeks be "allergic" to the peel? I am prone to allergies and I usually get hives when I come in contact with other people's pets, and sometimes even my own.

Can I use my hydrocortisone cream on the splotches? Or should I continue with my regular post peel care? Does anyone know if this will fade like regular allergy reaction or if it could leave permenant scarring?

I tried calling my dermatologist for advice, but she's out of town for another 3 weeks

free skin care · Mon Oct 18, 2010 7:52 am

This does not sound like a normal reaction, Katrosier. I would definitely recommend getting in to see someone, even your regular doctor if your derm is out of town. Someone should be covering for your derm while he/she is out of town that you should be able to see.

free skin care · Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:00 am

Hi Katrosier -

Sorry to hear about your unexpected reaction to the glycolic. I've done some glycolic peels in the past, but I'm not a medical expert. A couple thoughts come to mind:

1) Have you used the argan oil in the past? That could be the culprit to the reaction if not.

2) The skin on your cheeks might have been more sensitive and absorbed more of the acid, thus leading to the red spots. Like you say, it could also be hives. If it were me, I'd try the hydrocortisone cream in one area and see if if helps (no more than twice a day). If they are open sores, don't use the hydrocortisone at all and definitely see a derm even if you have to go to someone else.

3) I've had the running eyes problem with glycolic before, it's really annoying!

What brand of peel was it?

Let us know how it goes.

free skin care · Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:18 am

rileygirl wrote:

This does not sound like a normal reaction, Katrosier. I would definitely recommend getting in to see someone, even your regular doctor if your derm is out of town. Someone should be covering for your derm while he/she is out of town that you should be able to see.

I have to agree with Riley on this, I have used 2 brands of glycolic peels at home (at least 5-6 years ago) don't recall brands. I actually left them on longer than the instructions called for, yes I have tough skin, but I never had any reaction! This would have me seeing a doctor asap!
JMHO

Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:49 am

Thanks for the replies everyone one.

@rileygirl I'm waiting to see if some of it clears up on its own. I'm too embarassed to see a doctor because I don't want to be lectured on DIY peels lol

@shastagirl I've been using argan oil(friend gets it from morocco directly from the women's co op) for the past 2 years with no problem.I used Skin Beauty Solutions peel.

@darkmoon thank you for your suggestion.

I dabbed a light hydrocortisone cream on it earlier and the hives are gone but the red splotches are still there althought they're much lighter. I also put a thin layer of baby ointment for diaper rash, Homeoplasmine (I'm guessing the US equivalent is Aquaphor)and vaseline. My skin doesn't itch anymore and doesn't feel as tight. But I can still feel the layer of dead skin on my face..when can I expect it to start flaking off? I work in the beauty industry and I CAN'T go to work with tight flakey skin Sad

I'll try to post pics later. Thanks again for your help.

free skin care · Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:01 pm

Are you sure you used a glycolic peel? Or did you use a TCA peel? Was this the first acid peel you've ever had?

Try to find some pure aloe to apply several times a day to the red areas and do not, under any circumstances, pull off flakes.

free skin care · Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:44 pm

Once upon a time I used a peel of sorts. There was no percentage but it stung. Not extreme. After I rinsed it off, I had a red splotch. The color went away over night. The spotch however, was like a blister. And the entire chunk of skin fell off in about 2 days. Fortunately, it was not so strong it did not go DEEP.

You MIGHT have a wee bit of blistering. And I'd kind of expect those spots to peel more than others.

The last time I did a TCA... my face was super dry and tight feeling for the whole day. It did nothing for 2 days. I almost did it again not believing it had done anything. However by day 4, I was peeling like a lizard.

You should NOT assist the peel. As you can accidently cause it to go deep (scar!). If you can't look peely, then use a light layer of oil to hold down the flakes during the day time. and wash gently but completely at the end of the day to remove the dead skin.

Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:32 am

Jax: Yes it was my first peel ever and it was glycolic peel def. not TCA.

ClaudiaFE: This is exactly what happened. The blisters are gone and so are the red splotches and the blistered parts peeled more than the rest of my face Smile

I'm still too scared to do it again lol

free skin care · Fri Nov 05, 2010 6:16 pm

Katrosier, did you by any chance have any blemishes on your cheeks in those spots? Glycolic acid has a tendency to "dive"- go much deeper where the tissue is already damaged, sometimes, it can be a "zit" that appears to be all but healed or spot that has been over-exfoliated and glycolic will grab it and go much deeper. Either way, if you're uncomfortable with trying it again then don't do it. You may try a lactic peel as it seems to work for more sensitive types.

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