Glycolic Peel Burn Victim or Normal Healing

I had a 40% glycolic peel done at my dematologist and it left me with brown scabs all over with some with puss coming out! Have been putting neosporin on like the Doctor told me to do....but is this normal or is this going to leave me a scar? This is day 4 and already had important plans ruined becuase of this. And now think Im going to have huge pinkish scars!

[Raju Thapar, MBBS]

Hi,


Most common side effect of glycolic peel is swelling and redness of face. It typically lasts a few days. Apart from that you can have scaling, sun sensitivity, skin tone change and scarring.  Scarring is although rare but can occur in patients having history of keloid scarring, fever blisters and cold sores. You should follow your dermatologist’s advice.  

Wish you good health.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
What you have had is irritant contact dermatitis of the area which has caused superficial chemical burns. . Irritant dermatitis, the most common type of contact dermatitis, involves inflammation resulting from contact with acids, alkaline materials such as soaps and detergents, cosmetics, or other chemicals.

Avoid using any lotions and creams over the face for the meantime. Wash your face with a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Pat your face dry. Then apply a good hypoallergenic moisturizer over the area and the Neosporin cream as prescribed. If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid after consulting your dermatologist.

It is rare for scars to occur but if they do occur then they should be treated on the lines of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[minny227]

Thanks for the reply! After 8 day's of looking like I was thrown from a moving car...I am left with some hyperpigmentation on a couple of spots! I don't think all ever do a peel again! Was told by another doctor that I should have not been that bad with a 40% peel. All and all I have moved on and are c onsidering doing a pulsed dye laser to to help with my pigmentation and rosacea! Wish me luck and thanks again for your advice!