Unauthorized Chemical Peel

[Petalouda]

I have a wedding this weekend and booked a dermaplaning session. For those who may not be familiar, dermaplaning is a procedure where the top layer of your skin is carefully scraped off with a razor. It provides a chemical-free exfoliation and removes all the fuzz. When I booked the procedure on the site, it just said dermaplaning. When I arrived, I filled out standard paperwork and we got started. After the dermaplaning and without telling me until after, the esthetician applied a chemical peel! I NEVER authorized this. I never booked this. I was never told beforehand. She even told me afterwards that she does things "a little different".

My skin reacted so poorly and now I have burns and hyperpigmentation. I am absolutely devastated! I am going to report her to the state for malpractice. I believe she wanted to uncharge and added on the service and tried to pass it as a good thing. I tried to get in with a dermatologist today but to no avail. I saw a PA who told me I just have to wait and see if the pigmentation is permanent or not and prescribed me a steroid cream.

To be honest, the past 5 years have been overall extremely difficult for me. It feels like it doesn't stop. My closest friends were all excited for my move to the NE because I would be leaving some very dysfunctional family dynamics on my side back in the South but my experience here has been very difficult. I'm just so sad and I guess I don't know the full point of this post other than to let out my thoughts and warn others when trying new places to ask and ask again. Never have I booked a dermaplaning in the past where a peel was randomly added on without notice or consent.

 

[Petalouda]

I am so diligent with my skin and cannot believe this is what I have to live with now.

 

[Petalouda]

My skin normally

 

[pearlsngems]

I'm so sorry this has happened to you.

 

[seaurchin]

I see you've already seen someone about it but it looks to me like what happens when I do a peel. If you don't know, the skin turns brown and tight for a couple of days and then it peels for a couple of days. When it's finished, it looks amazing.

I hope that's what's going on here. If so, please don't pick at it because that can scar. I've always also been told to keep a plain oil or cream on it.

In any case, what a careless and stupid thing for the esthetician to do!

I hope it all works out before the wedding. Please keep us posted!

 

[Petalouda]

I see you've already seen someone about it but it looks to me like what happens when I do a peel. If you don't know, the skin turns brown and tight for a couple of days and then it peels for a couple of days. When it's finished, it looks amazing.

I hope that's what's going on here. If so, please don't pick at it because that can scar. I've always also been told to keep a plain oil or cream on it.

In any case, what a careless and stupid thing for the esthetician to do!

I hope it all works out before the wedding. Please keep us posted!

I cannot tell you enough how much hope you’ve given me. The PA said the hyperpigmentation may or may not be permanent which upset me more. The esthetician told me all I would have is mild flaking . I still cannot believe her gross negligence. Thank you for the hope - sincerely appreciate it.

 

[MamaBee]

I’ve never had a peel but I have seen photos of them because I was considering getting one a while back. The skin looked brown but peeled off to reveal beautiful skin. I hope that’s what will happen.

 

[Star gazer]

I'm so sorry. Please try not to worry too much (I know, sometimes easier said than done.) I have never had one, but a friend of mine did. I remember her saying there is definitely some down time and healing. It flakes off, and not to touch. I hope everyrhing will heal soon for you! Sending a hug.

 

[lala646]

I can't believe she did that without your consent! I had a very mild peel one time, and never again. My skin ended up being entirely too sensitive, and I'm never putting myself through that torture again. I would certainly make a complaint to her employer, if she has one. Hopefully the PA was just being cautious, but my hope is that @MamaBee's prediction is accurate and you'll be right as rain by the wedding.

 

[Petalouda]

I can't believe she did that without your consent! I had a very mild peel one time, and never again. My skin ended up being entirely too sensitive, and I'm never putting myself through that torture again. I would certainly make a complaint to her employer, if she has one. Hopefully the PA was just being cautious, but my hope is that @MamaBee's prediction is accurate and you'll be right as rain by the wedding.

I hope so too regarding being fine for the wedding. It is torture. She said it was a mild peel as well but even if it was, it would be stronger by the very nature that I already exfoliated through the dermaplaning. The lady who did this owns the business.

 

[Ally T]

Firstly, I am disgusted that they did this to you without authorisation. Secondly, big hugs to you.

My brother in law regularly has chemical peels & his skin looks like this for a few days before the shedding. He generally has amazing skin & looks really youthful, so fingers crossed this is part of the process.

 

[Slickk]

Wow! I’m so sorry to read this and thank you for sharing the warning. How upsetting! I do think I’ve heard it sheds and sending loads of dust that it’s a temporary inconvenience and then a radiant result.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I too am guessing that the old skin will peel off. I am terribly sorry this happened and I hope it works out well for you. So insensitive and irresponsible to do something to someone without their consent! Keep us posted and let us know how it turns out. Hopefully, you will be the belle of the ball at the wedding - after the bride of course!

 

[Bron357]

How awful and distressing for you. How dare she perform treatments without your full knowledge and consent.
As others have said, I’m sure that the pigmented skin will shed over the next week or so. Make sure you keep your fingers away from it and put on a plain moisturizer.

 

[Petalouda]

Firstly, I am disgusted that they did this to you without authorisation. Secondly, big hugs to you.

My brother in law regularly has chemical peels & his skin looks like this for a few days before the shedding. He generally has amazing skin & looks really youthful, so fingers crossed this is part of the process.

Wow! I’m so sorry to read this and thank you for sharing the warning. How upsetting! I do think I’ve heard it sheds and sending loads of dust that it’s a temporary inconvenience and then a radiant result.

I too am guessing that the old skin will peel off. I am terribly sorry this happened and I hope it works out well for you. So insensitive and irresponsible to do something to someone without their consent! Keep us posted and let us know how it turns out. Hopefully, you will be the belle of the ball at the wedding - after the bride of course!

How awful and distressing for you. How dare she perform treatments without your full knowledge and consent.
As others have said, I’m sure that the pigmented skin will shed over the next week or so. Make sure you keep your fingers away from it and put on a plain moisturizer.

Thank you all so much. I cannot tell you how much encouragement you’ve given me. I will post an update in a few days. Thank you thank you thank you.

 

[diamondyes]

I have a feeling it’s going to work out but it will be a terrifying wait in the process!

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

OMG! I'm a big ol fan of skincare (daily, peels, laser, injectables, threads etc) but I would NEVER want anything done without my consent! While I think you'll have a nice result if this was not on the menu then it doesn't matter. Just, wow.

 

[wildcat03]

Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. Please try to stay out of the sun as best you can, and use a good quality zinc sunscreen if you must go in the sun (my favorite is Colorescience which is actually sold at a lot of derm offices, EltaMD and the skinceuticals one are also good). Also, tons of vaseline. I hope this heals quickly.

 

[wildcat03]

My guess is that it will all peel off and in a week you will have really nice, glowy skin. What you are seeing right now is not hyperpigmentation - it's too early for that. It's likely the top layers of skin having been damaged (as is intended during a peel) by the acid. I'm still SO sorry this happened to you.

 

[kenny]

I'm so sorry this happened.

Your anger is entirely understandable.

 

[yssie]

Good god. What a lunatic dangerous thing to do to someone!!!! 100% deserves to be cited for malpractice, fired, and never ever rehired in similar capacity

BUT try to not worry tooooo much right now. I know that’s asking a lot. But any hyperpigmentation would take a lot longer to set in, that’s definitely not what you’re seeing right now. Your skin looks like mine after a peel - it’s just kind of ugly for a few days. I can’t imagine why that PA decided to scare you with that

 

[wildcat03]

Good god. What a lunatic dangerous thing to do to someone!!!! 100% deserves to be cited for malpractice, fired, and never ever rehired in similar capacity

BUT try to not worry tooooo much right now. I know that’s asking a lot. But any hyperpigmentation would take a lot longer to set in, that’s definitely not what you’re seeing right now. Your skin looks like mine after a peel - it’s just kind of ugly for a few days. I can’t imagine why that PA decided to scare you with that

I doubt the PA decided to scare her. They just don't know - because they are working on the knowledge involved in a 2 year master's degree when dermatology for physicians requires a 4 year medical degree and a 3 year residency (plus an additional transitional/internship year). Even in 4 years of medical school I had minimal teaching related to derm!

 

[Petalouda]

Thank you all for sharing your advice and experiences I was able to get in with a dermatologist today and she thinks it’ll all come off she said if there are any brown spots left she can treat those too. ( praying)

She prescribed an antibiotic cream to use as well. She said it’ll be 2 weeks before I really look like myself again. Sigh. Such a scary process to go through. In the meantime, I’m going to look into legal options. I just cannot believe someone thought this was ok. Since it was not scheduled or anticipated, I never signed a waiver so I think I have a solid case on my hands.

 

[Tonks]

Oh my goodness I am so very sorry this happened to you.

Adding my voice to the others saying I suspect it will turn out ok—I have not had a chemical peel, but laser treatments (IPL). I end up with what my doctor calls salt and pepper crusting afterwards (isn’t that a great visual?). It looks very strange for a few days but when it flakes off the skin underneath is so pretty. My sincere hope is that that’s what’s going on with you. Wondering if the PA said what she did because perhaps she’s not as familiar with cosmetic procedures? It seems that some dermatology practices do a lot of cosmetic stuff and others do not.

Hang in there and try to do something soothing to distract yourself. Maybe a good book series?

 

[marymm]

Are you still going to the wedding? It seems the immediate after-effects of dermaplaning are very slight as compared to what you are suffering post (unauthorized) chemical peel ...

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

So sorry this happened to you. Glad to hear that your dermatologist is hopeful.

This is not legal advice but if an aesthetician dumped acid on someone and burned off their skin against their will, and the victim sued and the shop got shut down, most people would cheer.

 

[Petalouda]

Oh my goodness I am so very sorry this happened to you.

Adding my voice to the others saying I suspect it will turn out ok—I have not had a chemical peel, but laser treatments (IPL). I end up with what my doctor calls salt and pepper crusting afterwards (isn’t that a great visual?). It looks very strange for a few days but when it flakes off the skin underneath is so pretty. My sincere hope is that that’s what’s going on with you. Wondering if the PA said what she did because perhaps she’s not as familiar with cosmetic procedures? It seems that some dermatology practices do a lot of cosmetic stuff and others do not.

Hang in there and try to do something soothing to distract yourself. Maybe a good book series?

Are you still going to the wedding? It seems the immediate after-effects of dermaplaning are very slight as compared to what you are suffering post (unauthorized) chemical peel ...

So sorry this happened to you. Glad to hear that your dermatologist is hopeful.

This is not legal advice but if an aesthetician dumped acid on someone and burned off their skin against their will, and the victim sued and the shop got shut down, most people would cheer.

Thank you. I’m hoping it does come off. It’s weird because some of my skin looks normal and some brown and fried. I still am going to the wedding because it’s a very important family member. I’m thinking I’ll wear a mask and some eye makeup. My forehead isn’t too bad. @oncrutchesrightnow 100%!!!

 

[Piper70]

Unreal! That is not just unprofessional but dangerous! Hope it turns out okay!!

 

[seaurchin]

Thank you. I’m hoping it does come off. It’s weird because some of my skin looks normal and some brown and fried. I still am going to the wedding because it’s a very important family member. I’m thinking I’ll wear a mask and some eye makeup. My forehead isn’t too bad. @oncrutchesrightnow 100%!!!

Yes, that patchy look is how my face looks after a peel.

 

[Un_Petit_Rayon_de_Soleil]

This is generally what happens after the peel. Those spots will end up peeling. When you do a heavier peel it will peel more skin but both types turn brown and peel. I am so sorry she put you through this without authorization. My aesthetician is always very clear about everything and keeps me well informed. This was not OK. Lots of quick healing dust your way!