BACKGROUND: Superficial chemical peels are being used with increasing frequency in the treatment of photoaging. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to develop a marker to indicate when all areas of skin have been treated and avoid reliance on a map or operator recall. METHODS: With a Wood's lamp (maximum output 365 nm) and addition of salicylic acid and fluorescein sodium, solutions that are readily available, the progress of the superficial chemical peel can be visualized. RESULTS: Wood's lamp accentuates epidermal pigment and therefore highlights dyschromia that will respond to a superficial chemical peel. Similarly, salicylic acid and fluorescein sodium fluoresce when viewed under Wood's lamp examination. CONCLUSION: When fluorescent compounds are incorporated into a superficial chemical peel, then fluorescence can accurately locate skip areas, minimize inadvertent overlayering, and thereby avoid deeper penetration.
BACKGROUND: Superficial chemical peels are being used with increasing frequency in the treatment of photoaging. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to develop a marker to indicate when all areas of skin have been treated and avoid reliance on a map or operator recall. METHODS: With a Wood's lamp (maximum output 365 nm) and addition of salicylic acid and fluorescein sodium, solutions that are readily available, the progress of the superficial chemical peel can be visualized. RESULTS: Wood's lamp accentuates epidermal pigment and therefore highlights dyschromia that will respond to a superficial chemical peel. Similarly, salicylic acid and fluorescein sodium fluoresce when viewed under Wood's lamp examination. CONCLUSION: When fluorescent compounds are incorporated into a superficial chemical peel, then fluorescence can accurately locate skip areas, minimize inadvertent overlayering, and thereby avoid deeper penetration.
Authors: Marty O Visscher; David Sullivan; Steven Sullivan; Brian Barford; Murray Dock; Marilyn S Sommers Journal: Skin Res Technol Date: 2009-05 Impact factor: 2.365