Client looks like she has cigarette burns on her face after yesterday's treatment

I used the Dermafile and followed it with a glycolic 30 peel. Today my client said she look like she has cigarette burns on her cheeks. I am very worried.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by mk on August 16, 2014 at 2:02pm

Cheeks meaning the side of her face or her cheekbones area? My only guess is that you overdid it with the dermafile, which is fairly easy, depending on which grit you're using.

Permalink Reply by Lisa VanBockern on August 16, 2014 at 2:02pm

The protocol you mention could be aggressive in my mind. See the attached order of exfoliation. By using the dermafile first, and the glycolic second, you are allowing the peel to penetrate deeper. You are enhancing the effect of the glycolic by using it second (creating a power peel). Please calm your client that the peel has penetrated and to (1) keep it moisturized, (2) it will get crusty so please don't pick, and (3) use cortisone 1% cream if necessary. Don't worry about scarring, just moisturize and don't pick. It should all resolve in about 4 days.

Attachments:

Order of Exfoliation Slide.pdf, 33 KB

Permalink Reply by Madalene MaGee on August 16, 2014 at 4:04pm

Thank you Lisa! I just spoke to my client and told her exactly that. I also discovered that she used the Retinol scrub the night before she came here. Would that be a problem? I tell them not to use if for at least three to four days before they come. She also told me she was taking prednisone for an insect bite. I spoke with Shelly Hancock today and asked her if maybe the Dermafile treatment was too much, meaning maybe I overdid it with the file like Kim says above. She said I would have really had to do it harshly to cause that reaction. I don't know. I hope this never happens again though. It scared the life out of me. I have only been practicing esthetics for a year, so of course I blamed myself for it all. Thanks so much for your reply. Sigh

Permalink Reply by Lisa VanBockern on August 17, 2014 at 10:19am

I honestly don't think the retinol scrub was the problem. I do believe the prednisone could be - if she's using a steroid to fit an insect bite, that could cause complications; it suppresses the immune system. The first few times this happens it can be scary, but you'll see that all skin is not equal and it can penetrate deeply in certain areas. The key is to keep calm, explain that it penetrated deeply in a certain area, it will not scar the skin, but will take a little longer to heal. Just no picking. It can and probably will happen again, because as you learn peels, you find these little hot spots; you just learn how to treat it.

Permalink Reply by Madalene MaGee on August 17, 2014 at 8:40pm

Ok. Thanks again Lisa! I feel much better now! :) so happy to be a part of skinscript, a compmay that has been there for me, and easy to get in touch with. Thanks again.