A primer of facial chemical peel.

Facial chemical peel encompasses a plethora of procedures or techniques and so may be confusing. This should not blunt one's enthusiasm for what chemexfoliation can achieve. With the use of TCA, chemical peel is a safe, effective, elegant, and simple method for treating some common problems of photoaged, fair skin (Table 7). When a standardized technique is used, it is possible to quantify the therapeutic effects and to predict the outcome reliably. Variations of chemical peel will be used as clinicians try to achieve better results. If possible, variations from standard techniques should be scientifically studied and quantified to establish their safety and efficacy. The goal of chemical face peeling is not simply to achieve a deep or longer-lasting peel. The highest concentrations of TCA and phenol may cause full-thickness facial chemical burns and leave long-lasting scars. Therefore, variations on standard techniques provide only subjective, difficult-to-measure benefits. Conversely, standardized testing on the facial skin of patients is difficult and thus we chose an animal model. Clinicians, especially dermatologists, who want to perform chemical peel should know the indications. Using the procedures described here and in other articles, one can safely and reliably undertake facial chemical peel.