Exfoliants and scaly skin

So I had written in the thread "mandelic acid is amazing against blackheads and acne" about using mandelic acid about four times and developing these lines on my nose (where I applied it). Well I stopped using the mandelic acid and they still haven't gone away. I did wait about a week and a half and then tried Paula's 1% BHA just once. This may not have been the wisest idea. My nose still has those fine lines. It does look scaly. I will quit trying exfoliants for now unless I hear otherwise that this is normal.

So now for some questions. Is this normal? Will the scaliness go away? What can I do in the meantime? I assume apply moisturizer. What kind would be best? I have been using the Olay for sensitive skin with SPF moisturizer during the day. One night I used jojoba oil. I hope I did not screw myself trying to find a product that works for these damn blackheads. Any help would be appreciated.

Glycolic acid (Dan's AHA+)

Forewarning - this is a long post.

I bought Dan's AHA+ and used it for a month on my chest and back. I started off slow and monitored my skin for reactions. I eventually built up to twice a day like is recommended for mild acne. Now the skin on my chest is consistently pink (like I got too much sun) and there are like ridges on my chest. It is hard to explain except to say it looks like ridges. There is also some discoloration and I have more hypopigmentation on my back now. I already had some hypopigmentation on my back but now there is more. As a side note I feel it is important to mention I never exposed my chest and back to the sun while on the AHA+. Maybe I overdid it and didn't realize?

Maybe it's not the AHA+ at all? I was diagnosed with folliculitis and continued to use the AHA+ for the acne. At one point I used Nizoral on my chest for a week. Maybe the Nizoral and AHA+ combo did it? or maybe it's the folliculitis alone causing this?

I am just so confused as to what can be the cause and what to do about it. I wanted to wait to give it time to see if it'd get better on it's own before I asked for help. It's been a couple weeks now and I am really afraid it will permanently be like this. I did read on the internet that glycolic acid can lead to hypopigmentation. I am resigned to the fact that the hypopigmentation is permanent, but what about the rest of it? Is it permanent? What adverse effects can glycolic acid cause?

Also I really want to try an exfoliant (salicylic acid or mandelic acid) for the blackheads on my nose and cheeks, but now I am afraid to try.

I know I am writing a lot. I don't expect anyone to get this far in reading, but I really don't know what to do. I'm at a loss and pretty devastated. If anything it helps to get it out. I really hope I didn't screw myself over trying to find a treatment for the acne. This sucks.

Switching antibiotics

For those of you who have switched antibiotics - did you jump from one to the other or did you wean off one before starting the other?

Combining topicals

Recently a derm in Chicago told me I have mild rosacea. I had an appointment with my regular derm today and when I asked him if I had it he didn't really give me a straight answer, but he did give me samples of Metrogel. I currently use Tazorac on my face at night. When I asked how do I use the Metrogel in conjunction with the Tazorac he said just use the Metrogel on my neck (I break out there too) and not on my face. However, I'd still like to know can Metrogel be used in conjunction with Tazorac?

Dermatologist recommendations

Can anyone please recommend a good dermatologist in the Chicago, St. Louis, or Indianapolis area. I am desperate here. I would REALLY appreciate any suggestions, whether it's someone you see or someone you have heard of by word of mouth....as long as it's not Angel from Brooklyn. The cure is in Brooklyn! (that was pretty funny).