A study of dermabrasion and chemical peels in an animal model.

An animal model was designed to compare the histology of the injuries resulting from dermabrasion and various escharotics presently used for face peeling. The results suggest that dermabrasion, although a superficial wounding process, leads to deep dermal and subcutaneous injuries. The deep dermal wound probably accounts for the correction of actinically damaged skin and wrinkling so often seen after dermabrasion. The injuries after peels were proportional to the concentration of the acid used: 50% phenol being stronger than 50% trichloracetic acid, which is stronger than 25% trichloracetic acid. The effects of epideraml irritants such as croton oil, the effects of occlusion, and the dose-dependent responses of phenol are all presented and discussed.