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What Causes Acne Scars And Redness On Face After Using Toner?

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Posted on Tue, 15 Apr 2014
Question: Hi, My question is for a dermatologist. I suffer from acne and for about three weeks I was using a toner with 2% salycylic acid in it twice a day and a mandelic acid 10% serum everynight with it. Everything seemed fine until one night I got a lite over zealous with my clarasonic brush and went to to town on my face. I really scrubbed my face. Now it has been almost two weeks since the clarasonic and my face is still sensitive. I have just been using sensitive face wash from Aveeno and Vanicream to moisturize. No scents or anything. Do you think I over exfoliated? My skin didnt turn red or anything. It just started stinging and still getting the burning sensation two weeks later. Doesnt the skin have to be red and scabby and raw for it to be over exfoliated? How long should it take for my skin and nerves to feel normal again? I have attached photos of my face. The lower parts of my face on the side of my chin burn the most. The redness in the photos are just from my acne scars not from over exfoliating. Do you think it is from doing too much to my skin or is it rosacea? I appreciate your help.
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Answered by Dr. Charu Bansal (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Stop toner and put sunscreen and moisturisers Detailed Answer: Hello dear, Welcome to healthcaremagic. I have read your query and understood your concern. You have mentioned that you are regularly using toner containing salicylic acid 2 % along with mandelic acid in night time. 2% Salicylic acid is a mild exfoliant that gradually removes the superficial layer of skin made up of dead cells. But if used continuously for prolonged period results in undue side effects like redness, scaling, stinging and burning sensation over the applied area. I usually advice my patients to use such toners for 2 weeks maximum or depending on the indication for which it is advised. Along with it a good sunscreen with SPF of atleast 30 is given which need to be applied liberally in morning every 2-3 hours. These toners make the skin dry, so sometimes excessive usage results in overt dryness for which moisturisers are advised. I guess you have used the toner for prolonged and in excess amount which has made your skin extra sensitive. I am sorry but i could't see your pics. I guess they are not yet uploaded. Kindly upload the pics again so that i can actually visualize it. By the time, i will advice you to discontinue toner use. Apply a good sunscreen in morning at 9am, 12pm and 3 pm. The moisturisers you are already applying. Use it 4-5 times a day. Don't use any scrub or chemical on face. You may also take some antihistaminics like tab levocetrizine/fexofenadine in night for symptomatic relief. Kindly get back to me with the pics. If you have further query, you may ask me. Good luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Follow up: Dr. Charu Bansal (7 hours later)
Hi Dr. Bansal- Thank you for responding so quickly. I have attached a photo of my chin area. The redness is from acne scars and not from the over exfoliating. How long do you think the burning will go away on its own? A few weeks? Months? Some days it is there, other days it has subsided. Also, does the skin have to be raw and scabby for it to be over exfoliated because mine wasn't. How do you know for sure that you over exfoliated? Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Charu Bansal (5 hours later)
Brief Answer: It may take a month to go. Detailed Answer: Hello dear, Welcome again. I have seen the attached pic. Thanks for the same. Actually you have used the toner for prolonged time. This has made your skin excessively dry. Obvious exfoliation is not necessarily appreciated everytime. But its over zealous use makes the skin really very dry. Usually if a good moisturizer is used excluding the use of harsh products and scrubs, such side effects likely resolve within a month. If there is scaling and redness of the applied part, one can surely say that the exfoliation has occured. I will advice you to use sunscreen with a good moisturizer regularly alongwith antihistaminics for few days. You will definitely improve in a month. I hope i am able to solve your query. if you have further query , you XXXXXXX sk me. Else you may close the discussion and kindly rate it. good luck.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Charu Bansal

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 773 Questions

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What Causes Acne Scars And Redness On Face After Using Toner?

Brief Answer: Stop toner and put sunscreen and moisturisers Detailed Answer: Hello dear, Welcome to healthcaremagic. I have read your query and understood your concern. You have mentioned that you are regularly using toner containing salicylic acid 2 % along with mandelic acid in night time. 2% Salicylic acid is a mild exfoliant that gradually removes the superficial layer of skin made up of dead cells. But if used continuously for prolonged period results in undue side effects like redness, scaling, stinging and burning sensation over the applied area. I usually advice my patients to use such toners for 2 weeks maximum or depending on the indication for which it is advised. Along with it a good sunscreen with SPF of atleast 30 is given which need to be applied liberally in morning every 2-3 hours. These toners make the skin dry, so sometimes excessive usage results in overt dryness for which moisturisers are advised. I guess you have used the toner for prolonged and in excess amount which has made your skin extra sensitive. I am sorry but i could't see your pics. I guess they are not yet uploaded. Kindly upload the pics again so that i can actually visualize it. By the time, i will advice you to discontinue toner use. Apply a good sunscreen in morning at 9am, 12pm and 3 pm. The moisturisers you are already applying. Use it 4-5 times a day. Don't use any scrub or chemical on face. You may also take some antihistaminics like tab levocetrizine/fexofenadine in night for symptomatic relief. Kindly get back to me with the pics. If you have further query, you may ask me. Good luck.