Complications after skin peeling and dangers of self-beautification at home

Many cases of complications after skin peeling

Recently, the Dermatology Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City has received many cases of complications after skin peeling (a method of exfoliating dead skin cells by peeling off dead, aging skin cells) due to patients buying peeling products with unknown active ingredients such as medicinal wine, ginseng cream. When applied on the face, patients experience red, swollen skin, many blisters, blisters, skin burns... Patients must be actively treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and cosmetic recovery methods, then the skin can return to almost normal.

Recently, a female patient with DBTL (28 years old, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City) came to the clinic with a swollen face and eyes, yellow discharge, itching, and burning pain. The patient said that her face had freckles and brown spots. When she saw an advertisement on social media, she ordered a skin regeneration product including skin regeneration essence and facial cleanser advertised to remove dark spots, freckles, and uneven skin tone. After 3 consecutive days of use, the patient's face was swollen, hot, red, burning, itchy, painful, crusted, and had discharge, and her eyes were swollen and invisible.

Realizing that the patient's condition showed signs of allergic contact dermatitis accompanied by additional bacterial infection, doctors at the Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital ordered the patient to be hospitalized for inpatient treatment. After about a week of treatment, the skin lesions reduced in swelling and redness, the pustules gradually dried and peeled off, and the patient was discharged.

MSc. Dr. Le Thao Hien - Department of Dermatology, Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital - said that the main cause of this patient's infected and swollen dermatitis was due to the use of skin peeling products with unclear active ingredients and concentrations, causing severe skin peeling. When peeling strongly, the superficial and deep layers of the skin peel off, stimulating an inflammatory reaction that causes redness and swelling of the face. Moreover, harmful bacteria penetrate the skin, causing infection.

Similarly, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City also received and treated many cases of complications after using skin peeling drugs and acne removal creams of unknown ingredients and origins online. Having acne all over her face, Ms. PVH (22 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) peeled her skin at home, then suffered irritation and her face was swollen, with inflamed acne spots. The doctor diagnosed Ms. H with dermatitis and secondary infection on a background of severe acne due to hormonal disorders and improper skin care. Furthermore, this patient also suffered from irritation due to using skin peeling chemicals with too high acid concentration, her skin had many dark scars and mild concave scars.

A patient's skin has pustules, is thin, and irritated after peeling at home. Photo: Provided by the hospital

Peeling procedure depends on skin condition and properties.

MSc. Dr. Le Thao Hien said that skin peeling, also known as chemical peeling, aims to exfoliate, treat skin diseases or cosmetic problems such as acne, acne scars, large pores, dark skin, exfoliation... The peeling procedure depends on the skin condition and properties to choose the appropriate active ingredients and concentration.

If people are subjective in peeling at home as well as using the wrong active ingredients and concentrations, it can lead to skin damage, causing peeling, blisters, and blisters. The most serious can lead to infection. If not going to the hospital in time, the patient may be left with scars and have difficulty recovering the original skin.

In case of peeling for the purpose of exfoliation with low concentration peeling products and labeled as peeling at home, people can do it at home. However, it is necessary to follow safety principles when peeling such as: If peeling the face, you need to lie with your head elevated 15-30 degrees, wrap your hair neatly, remove makeup and wash your face, cover your eyes or close your eyes when peeling. When peeling, you need to apply the active ingredient evenly, avoid applying it too many times or applying too much active ingredient to the sunken areas of the eyes and corners of the nose...

"For other treatment purposes such as acne, scars, dark skin, large pores... or if you do not know the peeling technique at home, you need to see a doctor. If a doctor prescribes peeling, it will be performed by a medical staff with a certificate of training in this technique to avoid unnecessary complications" - Dr. Thao Hien recommends.

Source: https://laodong.vn/suc-khoe/bien-chung-sau-khi-peel-da-va-hiem-hoa-vi-tu-lam-dep-tai-nha-1394634.ldo