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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39 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..:) …
Have you tried the sulphur ointment from http://www.hoskingspharmacy.com/? If you can go by testimonials it sounds like a wonder treatment and the cost/simplicicity compared to other options is pretty appealing. Anyway, hope if anyone tries it I hope they see good results – God bless.
omggggg im 16 and my dermatologist a dr. in brookline has prescribed DUAC qel and after 2 months .. which next month is my second ii am supposed to qo in to qet the GLYCOLIC PEEL . . . ii dnt know what to do now since this has terrified me !
Google – glycolic acid peel and rosacea. And if you are worried about it tell your Doc that you don’t feel comfortable with the glycolic treatment – i’ve read lactic acid is gentler for rosacea. Doctors aren’t God you can question their judgement.
Gosh, I think you need to stop with the dermo already! Let your skin heal itself! You keep layoring on all these dr prescibed medications it’s no wonder your face is a disaster! Docters know a lot, but I think many over medicate. Give your skin a break! Go get a mild wash and moisturizer from whole foods. Maybe Dr. Haushka? I bet it will heal itself if you give it time! I am really sorry this happened to you! It sounds horrible.
I am sooo very sorry for the ordeal you went through with the glycolic acid.This was a very aggressive,and destructive regime your derm put you on.AND YES I truly believe you have a potential lawsuit.He destroyed your beautiful fasce and it has caused you pain,embarrasment and mental anguish. He is supposed to be trained and from what you said it sounds like he did ALL the wrong things which destroyed your skin.Do some research and find a lawyer who has dealt with these types of lawsuits.You wont get rich,but you should be compensated for the destruction of your face,costs of treatment and a it more.GET ALL PAPERWORK,FORMS,everything together.Hopefully you took photos of the worst parts of your treatments.My husband is a lawyer and I believe you have a case.
As for your skin.Leave it alone and let it heal.I would suggest natuaral, soothing products.Aloe Vera from the plant as others suggested,mix thet with some vit E in a small jar and rub into skin regularily.Also calendula gel/cream is very soothing.
i hope you have luck!!
Hi, my name is Courtney. I am a firm believer in hollistic skin care and overall health. I just read elke’s comment and agree with her. Aloe (the all natural and pure gel form from the plant) is a beautiful thing. It is high in antioxidants, it is very healing and hydrating….so why only put it on topically? You can get pure aloe juice at a local natural foods store and drink it. It is great for your digestive system and can help heal you from the inside out…which is what we all need and want. Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is showing you signs of what is happening internally.
Hi-
Your story sounds somewhat familiar- I had really good skin and went to a plastic surgeon because I wanted a lip enhancement. Instead he made me get (he was a bit initmidating) the Obagi skin system with Retin-A, to prevent future aging. (This was now 15 years ago.) This caused cystic acne, never had that in my life, and I was 29 at the time, amd redness (yes rosacia), mild, and the acne was mild as well, but my life became obsessed with skin. I could only use some skin creams, and some sun creams.
Now my skin is great again, and I look early thirties. It took along time but the key was Accutane, extremely low dose. If you research low dose accutane you will find how it actually thickens the skin, and takes away redness. Also- IPL’s will help the redness and rosacea you are experiencing. For me, the skin creams I can use is Lierac, coherence, and La Prairie, radiance. It is a hassle to get accutane prescribed, but worth it. YOur intital derm should do it for you. Otherwise, go to accutane topix online, and search for where to get it. Low dose= 2.5 mg/day max- no side effects. Also research it for skin anti aging.
Good luck! I feel for you!!
I had a glycolic peel done about two weeeks ago and my skin went bright red several days after the peel.
Two weeeks on my skin is still irritated. I seem to have all the symptoms of mild rosacea. My face flares up for no reason. I can’t use the poducts I used to use on my face as I get a bad reaction. It’s extremely sensitive and it’s never been sensitive.I find it really uncomfortable and I never had any problems with my skin apart from occasional break outs. I have been applying organic virgin cocnut oil and aloe vera gel. It seems to be helping to some extent.
My nutrition specialist suggested I use the Made from Earth Grapefruit Glycolic Scrub 2-3 times per week in order to deep clean my pores. You would think that since it’s glycolic acid, it would be pretty harsh on the skin but it’s not drying or irritating at all for my sensitive skin. After use my skin looks brighter and feels cleaner.
I also love the smell of it. The smell puts me in the mind of a spa so, I feel like I’m at a salon or something when I’m using this lol.
A little bit goes a long way and the bottle will last you forever!!
Is any form of glycolic acid OK? I had just a small strip on my nose last year and my family MD said ” Did I tell you that you have mild beginning rosacea?”. I have been using Peter Thomas Roth products for anti aging ( good God, we all have the same problem:) Now I have redness all over both of my cheeks and small capillaries showing on my nose. Also, some days my nose s swollen? I have never really had any skin problems except that I don’t like the size of my pores and some wrinkle under my eyes. And oh, the dark circles. I drink more than 8 glasses of water and still have dry skin. Even after using a really good moisturizer. I am looking at the LightStim rosacea light. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will be 37 in April. Gina
Gina,
Have you been to a dermatologist and diangosed with rosacea? If your having problems with your nose swelling and redness on your cheeks after using products you may have a case of rosacea that needs treatment. I have a slight, and I mean slight case of rosacea, which is funny because I’ve been to so many different derm some say I have a slight case and some say I don’t, just sensitive skin.
Anyway, from what I read, if your rosacea is bad enough then they say you have to watch what you use on your skin, it may cause “flare ups.” I personally am able to use glycolic. I use the 30% peels once a week or every other week for 5 mins and my skin does great! On a regular basis though I wash my face with purpose gentle cleanser and use Euricen moisterizer for sensitive skin. Also, theres a peel called the VI peel and it works great for everyones skin type, even mine with sensitive skin. I had it done back in December and got great results! In fact I’m getting ready to have it done again! Suppose to be great for people with Rosacea too and gets rid of fine lines and wrinkles as well. So, you might want to look into that.
I too have problems with the whole “dry skin,” issue at times, especially in the winter, even with drinking tons of water. The only thing that helps me is watching my diet, eating “Good fats,” instead of junk food, and watching my stress levels! But, when my skin’s ph level gets out of whack no amount of moisuterizer helps, its just takes time to get it back. Funny thing is, I use to have super oily skin and now its changing. I too am 37, so maybe its the whole age thing? Thinking of getting back on the birth control to level out the hormones.
Anyway, when you get a chance google the “Vi peel,” i’m telling you its the best peel out there and gentle enough for ANY skin type, you can’t beat it! HTH.
Lynn
No derm yet. I had never even heard of rosacea before my family doctor said that. i’ve always had somewhat sensitive skin, but this is ridiculous. The nose thing just started about a month ago, it’s happened three times. After using harsher stuff on my face, every single time. I will look into that peel. I think it may be our age HAHA:) I had oilier skin until right around 30 and sometimes it seems to come back just a little in the summertime. Gina
Thats so funny because thats exactly when I started noticing the changes with my skin was right at age 30, from oily to more dry, even have dryness in the summer occasionally, and nothing helps. However, I will say that the dryness goes away when I’m on birth control pills for some reason which leads me to believe it could be a “hormonol issue.” I also, have problems with my left ear and cheek getting BRIGHT red and Hott with stress or anything emotional and sometimes with red wine, it gets so bad I literally have to go out in the cold air to get relief or put ice on it! It gets that HOTT!!! Geeze, the things that happen to us with age, so unfair! LOL
Yes, check out the Vi peel, and don’t be afraid to try it, like I said its designed for all skin types even rosacea and the results are amazing, although you will go through a few days of peeling, but it is sooooooo worth it, trust me!
I’m 45 and have had rosacea for about 13 years, though it took me a long time to figure out what was making my face so red. I have been able to improve the appearance of my skin by minding my diet. I have given up caffeine altogether and feel and look better for it. I also have an herbal salad with homemade dressing for lunch and dinner at least five times a week. Yes, I know that it’s a hassle to make salad, but it has certainly been worth my time. Lastly, I have to go light on dairy products and, my favorite, peanut products. As for skin cream, the best thing that I have found is plain old home grown aloe vera. It’ll make your skin look better over night, and it’s a lot cheaper than any store bought products.
I hope that this info. helps. Good luck.
Hi Baron,
Thanks for your info. Yeah, my doctor told me that giving up coffee was the best, and so I did. Every once in awhile I’ll have a cup and it doesn’t bother me. I don’t drink reg. milk either, I prefer Rice milk. That herbal salad your talking about sound good, would you mind sharing a recipe? I absolutely love salad! I totally agree with the whole “diet,” thing. I’ve noticed when my skin isn’t behaving usually its because I’ve slacked off and haven’t been eating healthy, or drinking enough water.
Also, you mentioned “home grown aloe vera,” that sounds nice, how do you make that? I totally forgot, but Aloe Vera is one of the most natural healing agents. Great for sunburns! Never thought about applying it to the face. Could you share with how to make this? Thanks.
Hi Lynn,
aloe vera is pretty easy to grow. It likes a lot of sunshine and a sandy/gravely soil, but doesn’t need a lot of water or care. If you’re not familiar with it, do a little research first or buy some at a reputable nursery. You wouldn’t want to get a close cousin of aloe vera and find that you have poisoned yourself.
I cut off several broad spears at a time and fillet them. See Youtube if you don’t know how. Then, I rub some of the goo on my face, neck and ears. It’s feels a bit sticky at first but dries well. Then, you can apply your regular moisturizer on top of it.
I also eat a small bowl of the slimy stuff. I add a bit of cloves powder and a few drops of honey to mask the bitterness.
As for the salad, I eat the same salad almost every day, which may seem boring, but I really enjoy it. My salad ingredients include fresh spinach, mustard greens, red cabbage, tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, broccoli, yellow onion, mung bean sprouts (home-grown), corn, fresh basil and cilantro, and whatever else that looks good at the market.
I live in Taiwan, where the organic movement is in its infancy, so my wife usually buys my ingredients at the morning market. She goes to a local park every morning at 4:30 to meditate, so she doesn’t mind hitting the market on the way home.
If you don’t buy organic, or even if you do, you have to wash the vegetables thoroughly. I wash the leafy vegetables in a huge pot. I do a rinse, a brief soak in baking soda water, then a ten minute soak in vinegar water. I use a sponge and a half a drop of salad soap to clean the smooth skinned vegetables.
My dressing includes first cold pressed olive oil, miso, tomato paste, turmeric powder, cumin powder, chili powder, black pepper powder, lots of fresh garlic, yellow mustard, fresh wasabi paste, a few tablespoons of water, and a teaspoon of honey.
I top it all off with some lightly toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds and walnuts.
A few notes: Some sources say that you shouldn’t eat raw spinach and mustard greens due to the high oxalic acid content. However, I’ve been eating these vegetables for a long time with no adverse effects. It could be an individual thing or it could be because I often go jogging, which helps the oxalic acid to metabolize.
Secondly, chili pepper used to make me flush, and it made my gut feel uncomfortable. However, that’s when I ate it with Mexican or Thai food. I think that the rice and tortillas gummed up my system and kept the chili inside of me too long. I have no problems with skin flare ups when I eat chili pepper on my salads. Strange but true.
Lastly, making salad is a time consuming burden. I hate it. However, if I mix up a big batch of salad, it lasts for three days in air tight containers in the ‘frige. I think that the gasses from the raw onions and broccoli retard decomposition. I also lightly coat everything with a little olive oil, which may help too.
There are some herbs that I want to try that I can’t buy here like fresh oregano, sage, parsley, dandelion, etc.. Therefore, I’m going to start a roof top container garden this spring to grow some of my own stuff. It should be fun.
That’s about all.
Good luck!
Wow, I wish I had read this before I ruined my face! Not that it would have stopped me – I suppose you don’t know what’s going to release your Rosacea Monster until it actually happens!
My experience:
I’m 40, with no big-time wrinkles, but I started to feel like my skin was looking a little dreary, so I decided to try the Cane + Austin Retexturizing Pads, which is 10% Glycolic Acid. My skin can be sensitive occasionally, but nothing extraordinary, and I had used the Philosophy Microdelivery Peel, so I figured I could handle it.
You’re supposed to use 1 pad in the morning and 1 at night, but I decided to start slow by using 1 pad per day. But by the 2nd day, my face went berzerk! My cheeks were red and flakey, and my chin was red and broken out! And my skin was HOT to the touch! What a disaster!
I stopped using them immediately, of course, assuming my face would calm down in a few days. Well, it’s been 6 weeks and while it’s not as bad as before, my face still looks awful. It appears that I now have Rosacea. Or, I guess it’s more accurate to say that I must have always had it, and this experience triggered it.
I hope this helps anyone thinking about using this type of product. But like I say, you can’t really know until you use it I guess!
Rosie,
Wow, how bad was your Rosacea before you did these treatments? A 10% glycolic is not really all that strong. Was this the first time you’ve used glycolic acid? Then again I’m not sure, maybe you have a bad case of Rosacea? I personally have a very mild mild case and am able to do 30% glycolic peels once a week with no problems at all. In fact its very helpful for my skin. I also just did my second Vi peel, which is a combo of Tca, phenol, Retin A and vitamin C and while you shed like a lizzard the results are awesome!!! My skin seems to tolerate it just fine. And I was told I have “sensitive skin.” Glycolic acid is a great product, however you have to be careful as to what else is combined with it. I use pure glycolic.
Honestly, I would be extremely concerned if its been 6 weeks and your skin is still in “bad condition.” Maybe its best to visit a dermatologist and see if there is another underlying issue going on. When you said you used “Cane and austin,” pads, what esle was in it besides glycolic? Maybe another ingredient aggrivated your skin. Again, 10% glycolic is not a lot and should not have done that to your skin. Very odd.
Hope your skin gets better and your able to see a doctor. Keep us updated.
Hey Lynn-
Sorry, I probably didn’t make myself clear: I never had Rosacea, or Rosacea symptoms, before I used the Cane + Austin pads. That’s why I was so surprised!
Here is the full ingredients list:
Water(Aqua), Glycolic Acid, Ammonium Hydroxide, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Polysorbate-20, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ubiquinone, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Menthol, Acetone, Imidazolidinyl Urea.
I suppose it could have been another ingredient, but the Glycolic Acid was the one that jumped out at me since it would seem to be the harshest?
Do any of the other ingredients raise a red flag for you?
Hey Rosie,
I did a little research on that product and from what I read it looks like it would be a nice product. Got decent reviews, however I did read where one other person had claimed she had a bad experience as well. The ingredients look fine to me except for witch hazel. Don’t get me wrong, witch hazel is suppose to be a great for a lot of people, but i found for me, it irritated my skin and dried it out, so I couldn’t use it. Its so hard to say what could have caused your skin to react this way. I suppose its possible you may have an allergy to the glycolic or something else in there. Everyones skin is different, but Glycolic acid especially at a 10% shouldn’t really cause any problems.
I would say, especially since its been 6 wks, its a good idea to go to a dermatologist and bring the product with you so that they can take a look. Its really hard to say how your skin will react to products. For instance, like I’ve mentioned I’ve always done really well with Glycolic, however a few yrs back I tried Avon’s glycolic peel pads and wow, it broke my face out so bad and it was red and in terrible shape! Took awhile to get it to calm down. I basically concluded there was something else in the product that my skin didn’t care for.
Have you ever looked at a site called Makeup Artist Choice? Thats where I get my Glycolic peels. I’ve been buying from them for yrs and they are great! They have so many different products designed for every skin type, especially Rosacea. Check them out when you get a chance. In the mean time though, I would use a gentle cleanser, like “Purpose,” or something similar so you don’t furthere irritate your skin and call and make an appt. with a dermatologist to be checked out.
With Rosacea everyone has their “triggers,” and it may just be you have overly sensitive skin and that product caused an outbreak for you. I would definately be curious as to what the doctor says.
Keep me posted, and try not to worry to much, I’m sure your skin will calm down, just going to take time and a dematologist can prescribe something to help. Let me know when you have your appt. and what they say.
Lynn
I’am so sorry to hear what has happened to your skin. I’am a qualified beauty therapist who has had, and used on clients, Glycolic peels over many years. Why your doctor prescribed you to use acid based products during your recovery time is beyond me. I have never had a client with a problem or have had myself, in fact my skin is amazing due to the peels every so often. If you ever have a peel you should use lots of sunblock SPF50 and should use a very good moisturiser that contains no acid what so ever.
I’m sorry that you went through so much with your skin.
Between using retin A and neo strata cream level 3 at different times (not both at the same time), I developed dry, red shiny burnt skin which took several months to heal and to regain even a little moisture back into my skin. At first even moisturizers burnt me and were next to no help. I felt very little relief. I also got oozing pimple like sores just down from the corners of my mouth (chin area) which were hard to heal. I haven’t used either for a long long time yet my face has since developed red flushes that come and go for whatever reason I’m not sure. The lines and aged appearance increased, I am too embarrassed to show my face. My facial skin aged rapidly. Since then my face refuses to ex foliate dead skin and that concerns me. Before dead skin would roll off, now nothing? My facial skin also took on the appearance of hardness for several months. Does anyone know what I can use that will help ex foliate gently without causing a horrible reaction that will take me months to heal. The products that I used before no longer work and I get that dry and big pore look but nothing comes off.
I don’t believe that trying to make yourself happier or improve on your face or use preventative measures is considered vanity atleast I don’t view it that way.
Hi, at 17-18 i had beautiful skin at 19 i started to get spots that turned into acne, im a decent looking lad and my friends are all good looking so i wanted rid of this asap and feel like the lad before, i tried all sorts and nothing worked, i went to a dermatologist and got a prescription which didnt work, i eventually had roaccutane which after 5 months cleared all the acne up. I then had scarring and was desperate to get rid of it so i decided on a chemical peel i tried a tca peel first which did nothing then i went to a another place which said i needed a deep peel, i had it done and although it didnt clear alot of scarring it left with me rosacea which drives me round the twist, i now have a little scarring from acne which isnt bad and not much visible but in winter the rosacea drives me insane and i have IPL which does make it better and keeps it under control, if i could trun back the clocks i would never have had the peel, although my rosacea is very very mild it still knocks my confidence.
I just had a 10% glycolic acid peel done after doing several 10-20% TCA peels with horrible results (10% was sufferable, 20% I peeled for over a month). BUT the 10% glycolic was the worst of them all. I have been beet red, rashy and scaly all at the same time. I won’t stop scaling. I got the rash under control after 4 days with Benedryl but even using aloe vera and 1% hydrocortizone, I’m still quite red and peeling. It’s been 5 days since the peel which I got done during a facial. I did not ask for it, the aesthetician thought she was giving me a freebie, and infact spent the whole beginning of the facial telling her how bad the TCA peels had been. I hadn’t been for a facial in 5 months because I peeled for so long after the last TCA peel. But I never got a rash or had redness like this from the TCA. I’ve even used low level glycolic acid in a face wash before. My face looks like I’ve experienced a 2nd degree burn around my mouth and on my chin. I had to cancel holiday plans, leave a party early and take a day off of work. I’m going to go back to fresh aloe but can someone tell me the problem with 1% hydrocortizone? I’ve been using that for the last few days and it seems like it was helping.
Please read my experience before you even THINK of trying glycolic acid! At age 34, I tried a 10% glycolic acid gel made by Alpha Hydroxy. At first, I liked the results, but after a couple weeks, it began to cause red blotches, so I stopped using it. Four years later, I decided to give it another try after reading an article from a dermatologist. This time, I vowed I would simply use glycolic acid once or twice a week to exfoliate dry flakes. At the time, I had exceptionally clear porcelain skin with mild red blotches at the center of my cheeks. At first, I thought I had rediscovered a miracle product. The glycolic acid visibly minimized the red patches, exfoliated dry skin flakes and left my face feeling softer than a baby’s behind. The third time I used the product, I developed raised red patches on my cheeks, chin and forehead. I also had clear pustules alongside my nose. I stopped using glycolic acid, but the problems didn’t go away. I was suddenly sensitive to ALL OF THE PRODUCTS in my cosmetics arsenal, even those I’d been using for many years. I couldn’t use any type of liquid foundation, face lotion or sunscreen. The dermatologist prescribed Metrogel, which dried out my complexion and made matters even worse! I went off Metrogel and began using a prescription sulfur treatment that caused the worst breakouts of my life. Ever heard the term pizza face? I was a walking embodiment of this term. For about six months, I avoided going out of the house! I came to a point where I didn’t want to use ANY products at all. Even Neutrogena and Eucerin fragrance free lotion for sensitive skin hurt my face and caused breakouts! Through time and experimentation, I learned that LESS IS MORE. I now use a mild, fragrance free face wash without acne or anti-aging ingredients. When I need moisturizer under makeup, I use Olay Regenerist fragrance free moisturizer. For foundation, I use Covergirl Simply Ageless promoted by Ellen Degeneres. (It’s the only product containing sunscreen that doesn’t irritate me.) When red blotches appear, I treat them with a pure, premium aloe based formula. (I like Triderma Redness Repair.) On a typical day off, I try not to wear makeup at all, especially if I’m not planning to spend time outdoors. I am convinced that glycolic acid brought about my first serious incident of Rosacea. I think it burned my face to such a state that it couldn’t recover without time and extra gentle care. I was only using it to slough off dry flakes, but I ended up with a chronic skin problem that caused great depression and changed my life. Thank God my skin is in balance now. When winter winds, mentrual cycles or poor diet cause redness, I cover it with aloe and try to forget about it. LESSONS LEARNED: 1.) Glycolic acids are not the cure for redness and irritation, they are the cause. If you need to exfoliate once in awhile, try a mild facial scrub with microbeads and absolutely no acids. 2.) Acne products containing salicylic acid are not designed or intended for Rosacea. They are made to dry out oily skin and kill bacteria within pores. Most Rosacea breakouts don’t involve pore blockages and pimples. The red patches are caused by irritation from a variety of factors, including weather and acidic foods in your diet. 3.) Pure, hypoallergenic makeup with a high level of sunscreen is better that applying sunscreen plus makeup. Using multiple products at the same time is a formula for disaster!