From: rvanstock
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 00:41:33
Hi Group:
I see a lot of questions that come up about hydrocortisone and experiences with accutane and redness etc. I have learned a lot since my experience with a strong glycolic acid peel that caused my first outbreak of rosacea. I hope by writing my experience it will help someone stay away from these products or help anyone in any way who thinking of using glycolic acid or AHA. I mentioned a little about my experience since I joined this group a couple of weeks ago. But for the sake of possibly saving others and from going through what I have (which ultimately lead to my rosacea) I thought I would write about what happened to me.
I guess it started from vanity. At 34 many people told me I looked everything from 18-26 but mostly 22. Seeing many of my friends starting to show signs of aging, I felt it just may be a matter of time for mine to show as well and I read a book called the Youth Corridor by a plastic surgeon who states 30% glycolic acid peels in your 30’s causes fresh new skin to surface and continuously stay youthful and keeps you a “jump ahead” on aging. It says to start before you see signs of aging otherwise it is not soon enough. Since I had none of the signs he listed, I patted myself on the back for reading this book just in time (yeah right) and scheduled an appointment with a dermo for these peels (my first mistake). This doctor asked if I had any sensitivities and I said none. I use basically anything on my face including moisturizers daily with AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and had regular facials with stronger AHA’s used and never had a reaction. He had me start on 13% glycolic acid before bed each night. Wow this seemed a little strong but I thought he’s the doctor, right, he must know what he is doing (not). Within a week on nighttime usage I didn’t like the way my skin looked it was dry and shiny looking and very pale yet a slight burning. I complained and my dermo said that is normal then gave me my first (in a what was supposed to be a series of six) 30% peel for 30 seconds. I didn’t notice any adverse reaction. But then a couple weeks later of using 13% on my face each night I developed a light pinkness and slight burning sensation. My dermo said this meant it was too strong for me yet had his staff give me another 30% peel for 1 minute. This really burned and I couldn’t wait to wash it off. By the next morning I was welted up red and peeling terribly (perhaps my first severe rosacea outbreak?). When I called my doctor frantic, he prescribed what I learned later was the worst thing he could of for the redness and peeling…. HYDROCORTISONE. Suddenly after that peel I could use nothing on my face without irritation. No sunscreens (which are absolutely necessary post peel which my doctor forgot to mention and since it was summer I needed it on at all times), no moisturizer to help the extreme dryness, nothing.
Of course, I related this sensitivity to the peel since I had none before the peel and spoke with a few women online with severe sensitivies who said it took over a year to go away. I tried seven different dermos who all told me it would all go away in a couple months. My skin looked shiny and burned but interestingly was pasty white after the redness went away. I used Desowen lotion as often as possible (as my first dermo told me) to help the constant burning sensation. I did this for a couple months. Now I’ve learned a peel thins your skin and so does hydrocortisone longterm (Hello, what was he thinking!). Does anyone think I may have a good lawsuit?
For the first time I started to see signs of aging… thin, sensitive delicate skin with fine lines around my eyes. The peel is supposed to stimulate skin thickening and I was never able to get that far. To worsen matters I was prescribed several things to combat my new severe cause of acne, bencymicin, differin, retin A, azalex, clindamycin (which was the gentliest) and Klaron. All irritated my skin and caused it to peel. I even tried internal steriods prednisone for two weeks and all sorts of allergy meds. I had allergy testing done, you name it. In my search for others like me, I found this is a very common problem after a peel. Ok, so I attributed these things to temporary peel sensitivity, just like everyone else who had a bad reaction to a strong peel, right. I couldn’t, wouldn’t believe it was rosacea, I didnt have this red sensitive skin before the peel. So I waited, and waited, and waited for it to GO AWAY. When the white pasty skin went away 3 months I got red welts to which I applied more hydrocortisone. I complained to my new dermo and he gave me a different hydrocortisone to use. I stopped after two tries when I learned myself hydrocortisone is a no-no. I now had become sensitive to the things that initially made me feel better. Go figure.
In the meantime I researched a lot about skin products, etc. While I missed much work and hardly went out because I thought I looked hideous. I kept getting worse and finally one dermo said she thought I had developed rosacea to which I was predisposed but brought on by the peel, worsed by all the irritating products I was using, then further aggravated by steroid usage. I didn’t believe this at first but the more I research rosacea the more it sounded like all my symptoms.
So six months later my skin looked worse then ever. I was severely depressed, had lost 15 lbs and rarely went out. I now had a psychiatrist, was on antidepressants and constantly stressed (thus making rosacea worse). Oh by the way did I mention a month after the peel, I was so stressed I was diagnosed with colitis? I blamed myself for bringing this on for vanity and I caused the very thing I was trying to put off…aging! Ugh!
Now my skin has many fine lines and seems to be aging before my eyes. My skin aged 10 years almost overnight. And now I had developed rosacea whose irritation only made me look worse. I desperately search for products to use and also still hope I can use some anti aging products but the constant seb derm and redness and peeling remind me I may never be able to again. What did I do?!
Now what I have learned…. So much I feel I sometimes know more than my dermo’s. I have learned so much about cosmetics and skin peels, ph and acid, good cosmetics and bad cosmetics . Ironically, I should have done that research first. Anyway finding this website with all of you has helped me greatly with rosacea questions. I know we are all different but all these theories help to put some perspective on my own condition. I know now that I was playing with fire. I did the peel, caused irritation and somehow always thought this was exacerbated by my stomach problems. Now I know from many of you this is a big link. Colitis is a inflammation of the intestines (sounds close to leaky gut syndrome, interesting).
Another interesting connection… A lot of you talk about a weakened immune system. My rosacea symptoms were mostly related to products applied to my face which caused flare ups. But in December six months post peel for the first time I started having rosacea flare ups for now reason. This was right after I had a bout with strep throat and bronchitis. I took Zithromax for it. Then prednisone for two weeks to again combat redness which I didn’t know was rosacea. A vicious cycle.
Since then I live with rosacea every day not just occasionally when I try a new product. Some days are better than others. Some days I flare for no known reason. I did everything the same yet all red and welty. Everything triggers it…sun, wind, cold, cosmetics, alcohol, emotions. I havent yet figured out any food triggers. But since my stress level has calmed so has my redness in just the last two weeks. Perhaps acceptance… I noticed since I have joined this group I am less red. Or maybe its all of your tips!
I learned my lesson but it was a hard one to swallow. Now for vanity, I must suffer with this frustrating disease probably the rest of my life. Wouldnt a time machine be great right now?
Thanks for listening for all of you who have made it this far without nodding off. I thank all of you for putting up with this long email. I too just get very frustrated some days with not knowing how to heal it.
Hope this experience will help someone. I am so happy I found this group to help me cope. It lead me to Dr Sy whose Zinco is the first sunscreen I can use in over one year. And for that I am very grateful! I am starting to get back my life by going outdoors.
Renee 
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14 comments ↓
This sounds ASTOUNDINGLY similar to what happened to me, only things played out a little worse for me. So if you would like to talk about it you could email me.
Hey, I just found this website today and started reading, reading, reading. There was one link to researchers and their product: http://www.rosacea-ltd.com and I went into the discussion about the rosacea diet. It pointed out that rosacea is exacerbated by acidic foods and beverages, and it even has an acidic food list and an alkali food list. It tells about how to change the water you are drinking into a more alkali water which helps keep the rosacea down. (I printed it out and put it up in my kitchen!) It was extremely helpful. You might want to check it out!
Girl this sounds like what is happening to me now! I did a peel to get rid of acne and some minor wrinkles (which I think were caused by Neutrogena’s home microderm abrasion kit!) I look like a red beet right now from this peel! I hope it goes away because I look a mess!!!! I wish I read this sooner! Feel free to email me if you made any progress b/c I have a feeling I’m going to need some help real soon. Omg what was I thinking!!!
Oh and thanks for the don’t use hydrocortisone tip. I was going to get some this evening.
I am an Aesthetician, and see patients regularily for Rosacea, for 8 years. Your right there is no cure for Rosacea. Basically, Rosacea is Hereditery. Meaning (Rosacea-Term Adult Acne) You can hit a certain age, and it just appears, for no reason at all. You already had Rosacea, just didn’t know it, until you received the Glycolic Peel, which will cause Rosacea to flare up. Most likely you have sensitive skin as well.
As you well know, really the only thing that you can do is
to help try and maintain it. I do not recommend that you use scrubs or any chemical peels ever. So there is no cure, and it is not the doctors fault, it is just something that we have to deal with.
I think some doctors don’t really take the time to listen to their patients. I am shocked that he did not tell you to use sunscreen after your peel! That alone could cause the sudden 10 years older thing!
I am also surprised that you were given a 13% lotion to use every night.
So sorry you had this happen to you!
I have had a recent bout of cyctic acne that has caused permanent scars…I too was mistaked for 21-22 at 30-32 and was actually pretty…and now I have yucky scars and because of all the stupid acne cleansers etc. with benzoyl peroxide (like proactive) I look 35+ now.
And I know how it feels to not want to go out. I cringe if I see someone I know out now. I hate that look in their eye when they see what’s going on with my face now. I am also finding out how people treat people with skin problems. People are mean and rude and dismissive and stare a lot.
Hi all.
My rosacea onset was 10 years ago and I used the prescribed Metrogel, became very conscientious about using sunscreen and hats, and avoided temperature
extremes. Happy to say that my facial condition is relatively stable and I look okay when I use mineral powder (Loreal) for looking nice in the evenings.
Outside daytime is tougher. All sunscreens hurt and I
become splotchy 10 seconds after application, so I just tolerate it and wear the sunscreen, a hat & sunglasses (embarrassing. My six stepchildren chuckle, but they know my father and grandmother died from melanoma.) I do recommend that rosacea-sufferers get their car windows tinted. That really helps and if you’re stopped for dark windows, have a note from your dermatologist handy in your glove compartment. I’ve been stopped only once, whipped out the note,
and was sent on my way.
My reason for joining you all today is my diagnosis last week for ocular rosacea. I swear you’d never have guessed. A chalazion appeared on my lower eyelid
(a red swelling), was drained through an inside eyelid incision, then, yikes, recurred—-back in a bigger, meaner form. I was guided to an oculoplastics opthalomologist (since eyelid surgery can leave you blinking oddly) who “cut it out from the front” and stitched me up. She diagnosed the ocular rosacea;
all I could see were slightly swollen four lids and margins, no pain, no crusting, no red eyes, etc.
Just to be sure, I’m going to the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA for a second opinion because I
need to be proactive since ocular rosacea can cause surface dessication. Test options are meager, though.
All I know about ocular rosacea I learned this week
on this website. It calls for a very detailed heavy use of doxycycline, lid heating, lid cleaning, and morning & night application of steroid ointment (yikes!) for a time.
This has been frightening, but I’m still upright. I’ll send a later update as to whether the treatment stabilizes my ocular rosacea.
My best wishes to you all as you find the best treatments for yourselves. T’aint easy!
Ok first of all i am an esthetician who performs 30% glycolic peels and have never had an issue. I’m going to tell you your #1 problem the dermatologist did wrong…. First off you are never to use other glycolic products in conjunction to glycolic treatments!! You only use the 13% BEFORE the peel to prep your skin……you NEVER want to use MORE glycolic on your face during your series off peels..especially for a week after a peel..Your DERMO should have known that!
hi Renee
i have a twin, and we have suffered from rosacea for a few years … also had a glyco peel about 5 months ago, thankfully only one … the following day i had patches all over my face ( pigmetation) from going out into the sun … was not warned … upper lip, cheek bones … i was in tears …
then i discovered ” aloe vera” … not the stuff you buy in shops, but the real source … straight from the plant, the gel is amazing ( which grows in my garden) … its a natural anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial, and natural moisturiser, which helps to lock in moisture … been using it for the past two weeks, and everyone at work is telling me how great me skin looks …
i use it daily, every morning.. cut a leaf, and squeeze the gel from the leaf, and apply on my face after moisturing … i wet my hands and spread the gel with some water … i also steam, exfoliate gently and mask weekly, and the results are fabulous …
i am confident that if you try this, you will be glad you did … best of luck .. e
e-mail: elke.angel@gmail.com
I had been a Retin A user for years and although this has kept my skin relatively wrinkle free, it has caused me to have very sensitive skin and some rosacea. I came across the product “LightStim” which is LED lights therapy. The one for rosacea seems to be mostly blue light wavelengths and took about 4-6 weeks of faithful use to show results, but it has calmed down the redness considerable. Also, I had a few Pixel treatments as well as IPL photofacials. The LightStim was the least intense of the treatments, I can do it at home, and it has no noticeable side effects. Hope that helps someone. I know that what works for some may not work for others. Oh, and I also want to say that I can’t tolerate sunscreens, it is as though they give me a chemical burn and I get super red and peel afterward, so I opt for a great hat that blocks UPF50+ and it is quite stylish, even for hiking or city strolling, made by a company called Scala.
Best to everyone!!
Wow, so sorry to hear about what happened to you. I must say though this story sounds very extreme to me. I personally have somewhat sensitive/dry skin, and have been told I may have very mild rosacea but not a “typical case” and I have had many glycolic peels without any problems, in fact it helps. However I was always told to discontinue any harsh products 3 days prior and post. I have always been told that glycolic peels are safe for most skin types and over time gives great results! I have never heard of this happening to anyone, but it sounds like the doctor instructed you wrong. I would honestly talk with them and find out what the heck went wrong!
I cant believe this happened to you! Im a Beauty Therapist and have been qualified for chemical peel’s for the past 3 years upto the 30% we therapist’s are aloud. I have never heard such a terrible story. These peels take of the top layer of your skin called the horny layer-if not deeper,where fine lines and scarring can be. These glycolic/lactic peels should always be tested on your forhead before the full peel procedure. And family history should always be investigated-I even know that and im a bimbo beauty therapist as we get named! I have had peels for the past 4 years as i suffered from acne on my cheeks and the results have been wonderful for me. I am sorry to hear about your terrible experiance but the doctor was completely stupid for not telling you to wear SPF!!!!
I used a 5% glycolic acid cream about 3 times and i woke up one morning with a swollen beat red, scabby, welted face!
It was like an allergic reaction my throat even swelled a bit, but no breathing problems.
I have had chemical peels before at a spa and micro too and my face was slightly red as it normally should have been.
I put aloe vera on my new face today and it burned even more!
All I have done is ice ice ice and Vitamin E oil.
It itches like crazy and all the bumps are just oozing clear liquid. HELP!
HELLO, I did the same mistake when I was 24! so imagine that! I’m 29 now… My skin was olive skin , smooth.. .. and funny enough just like yourself People used to tell me I looked so young for my age.. and for the same reason I thought of keeping it looking nice all the time.. so I had the damn treatment… the damn doc derm. was so happy to perform it.. the nurse looked a bit weird though, still It didn’t hit me till weeks later and then years…….. one thing can help the redness though IPL…….. Perform this treatment once a week till you get the desired effect and then have it done every once a month … yes, for the rest of your life:DD isn’t that nice… well and keep out of the sun. …………. and don’t smoke…. when I had the problem.. I started smoking and then I started having big pores too with red stuff on my skin.
D It made me look horrible:D people stared at my damn ugly skin problem and smoking habit…) then just recently I decided to stop smoking. Smoking and diet also helps this problem.. exercise “used” to once help my skin shine but now it looks red and wrinkled. People think I need water when I’m drinking at least 8 cups a day! due to having dry skin..!… oft! I’m sick of this skin problem… I just ended up finding this site when I was looking for a calmer for the redness, Skinceautical also has something called phyto corrective… I’m trying this ASAP. I hope your all planning good for xmas & NYE.. good byes..:) …
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