Cardiovascular effects of topical 50% trichloroacetic acid and Baker's phenol solution.

Phenol and trichloracetic acid (TCA) are used for cosmetic face peeling. Deaths associated with phenol have been ascribed to the cardiotoxicity. Our purpose has been to study and compare the cardiovascular responses to these two agents in a rat model. Fifteen rats underwent abdominal epilation. Two to six days later a surface area comparable to the human face (16 cm2) was delineated on the abdomen. Baker's phenol or 50% TCA was applied to this area. Cardiac rate and rhythm and arterial pressure were monitored. Once stable, the same agent was applied to the entire abdomen for further study. TCA has been shown to be a safer agent than phenol in this rat model. Assuming that this model simulates the human response, monitoring would appear to be indicated during full-face Baker's phenol peeling.