Human pigment factors relative to chemical face peeling.

Two major and 18 minor complications in a series of 408 private patients undergoing partial or full-face phenol chemical peeling in a five-year period prompted a fundamental evaluation of several factors relevant to the procedure. Pigmentary change was the most common problem. Human skin pigment and factors that affect it such as hormone intake, cold exposure, ultraviolet light, medication, contact agents, and trauma are unanswered questions relative to at least pigmentary problems. Depigmentary factors were studied in an attempt to evaluate treatment of postoperative pigmentary changes.