Had a client reaction to a popular enzyme peel at my studio in Austin

We used the Biojuve Glow Peel, which I'd done a dozen times before, and she ended up with major redness and tiny bumps that lasted three days. Turns out she was on a new prescription retinoid her derm never mentioned. Now I do a full medication and active ingredient check, even for repeat clients, before any treatment. Anyone else had to change their intake forms because of something like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

beth_reed1mo ago

Oh wait, she was on a retinoid and didn't mention it? That's wild. I mean, that stuff basically makes your skin raw for a peel.

rubyshah1mo ago

Oh yeah, retinoids don't actually make your skin raw like that. They thin the top layer a bit, but a full peel is way more aggressive. People just assume because it makes you flakey and sensitive.

milaw141mo ago

Honestly, it reminds me of when my friend tried a strong retinol and her face got so red and tight she stopped after two days. She thought it was a chemical burn, but her derm said it was just a bad reaction to using it every night right away. The flaking was insane, like she had a bad sunburn peeling. It took weeks for her skin to calm down, and she never touched the stuff again. People really underestimate how harsh it can be at first, even if it's not a full peel.