I am a skin virgin in terms of services. I just turned 47 and had friends recommend a skin peel for a sun spot that was getting darker on my cheek. I saw a great deal on Living Social for the peel a... Read More
I am a skin virgin in terms of services. I just turned 47 and had friends recommend a skin peel for a sun spot that was getting darker on my cheek. I saw a great deal on Living Social for the peel and reviews for Skin Bar were fantastic. I didn't want to book without speaking with someone about what to expect and downtime, given I work full time. I was unable to connect with someone on the phone and assume it was because they were moving locations that week. I did get a text message and talked with someone about my concern that way. The exact response I received was, "Zero down time. Glycolics have a smaller molecule and work more at the cellular level." Based on that response, I booked the service for a Wednesday morning knowing I had meetings the next day and Friday at work. Prior to the service I received three emails with consent forms. One of them made me really nervous and detailed possible side effects. I showed up a little early and met with my technician, Christina. I also brought every single thing that I put on my face so she could see what I use and advise about possible interactions and what I should use afterwards. I was also very upfront that I tan once a week (bad I know). I told Christina I was scared after receiving the emailed forms and needed more information before having the peel. She assured me that there was no down time and people even call her afterwards to make sure they had something done because they didn't have a reaction. She looked at my array of products, which most include retinol, and said she wasn't familiar with them but talked about how some of the things I was using probably wasn't having the effect I thought they were (pads I thought were exfoliating were equivalent of stridex). I went forward with the peel, which was the second to most basic one they have, and all seemed good. I was told that if I exercised over the next 48 hours, it may burn because of the salt so I didn't. I was told to wear a hat and use sunscreen while walking the dog and I did. I had a hard time sleeping that night because my face burned, thought it was normal given I had a peel. I woke up the next morning and was shocked when I looked in the mirror to get ready for work. It looked like I had a sunburn with pockets of deeper burns on my face. My husband came in and stepped back, "What the hell did you do to your face?" I was in a panic. I reached out to my friends that had peels done and their response was this was not normal. They were concerned that I had explained my tanning and retinol use and a patch test wasn't done prior to the peel. I was able to reach Christina and she said I could come in and get samples of a hydrating cream from Dawn (owner) since she wasn't in. I was in a panic when I got there and had hoped for some reassurance. What I got was, "What did you expect, you had a peel done?" Well, you knew I never had this done before and I was asking questions from the get go with everyone's response at Skin Bar being this is nothing and there is no down time. I'm sorry, but red skin and burn pockets on my face is not no down time. She did acknowledge that I may be having a reaction with areas of burns but that it was normal. I asked if I should contact my doctor and she laughed, said no and gave me two small samples of a cream to use. I left and went to work .. spent the day fielding question of what the heck happened and stares from people that didn't know what to say. It is now 3 days later and one larger burn on the side of my nose is still trying to scab over. The other areas have scabbed and should be fine. If the area on my nose isn't scabbed over by Monday, I plan to call my doctor. Christina has touched base with me via text to see how I am doing and I very much appreciate that. My issue is being told no down time and being treated like a idiot for getting upset when my face is not how I was told it would be. Let your newbies know what MIGHT happen from the get go and understand if they are frazzled the next day. Read Less