#Chemical burn from face wash skin#

This is not dissimilar to the skin’s natural pH, which is slightly acidic. Most over-the-counter (OTC) products that contain these acids are weak, with a pH of about 4.

#Chemical burn from face wash skin#

Some skin care products contain acids, which exfoliate the face by dissolving the outermost layer of skin cells and oil. How might skin care products cause a burn? If the burn is severe, it is essential to go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. However, they may wish to prescribe a topical antibiotic or low strength steroid cream to prevent infection. Doctors do not recommend systemic medications, such as antibiotics or steroids, to treat chemical burns. Alternatively, they could use a showerhead.Īfter washing the skin thoroughly, it is advisable to speak with a doctor. If the product is on the face, a person can do this by tipping their head over a sink, bath, or shower basin before pouring water from a jug. It is important to avoid contact with the runoff water. If any of these symptoms occur after applying a skin care product, a person should immediately remove any contaminated clothing and wash the skin with clean running water for 20 minutes. Rather, they are signs that it is damaging the skin. Burning and pain are not signs that the product is working as it should. Some skin care products or treatments may be acidic enough to cause one.Īnyone who feels any discomfort when using a skin care product should not attempt to leave it on the skin. We look at the treatment and prevention methods and explain when to seek medical help.Ĭhemical burns are skin wounds that occur due to a strongly acidic or alkaline substance. In this article, we explain what to do if skin care products cause a chemical burn. These symptoms may or may not be related to the acids in the product. Another possible cause is damage from UV light, as AHAs and BHAs increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, making sunburn more likely.īurn-like symptoms may also occur due to irritation or an allergic reaction. This damage may be a result of the acid itself causing a burn. They are popular ingredients in skin care, but improper use can result in skin damage. These acids belong to a group of substances known as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Acid exfoliants include ingredients such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid. Skin care can cause a chemical burn on the face if a person uses acid exfoliants that are too strong, applies them too frequently, or leaves them on for too long. To treat chemical burns on the face, a person should remove irritating products and wash the area in running water. Incorrect usage of acid-containing skin care products can cause facial chemical burns.