When treating skin of color with chemical exfoliation, it is necessary to consider racial background and ethnicity, as well. Ethnicities such as African, Asian, Eastern Indian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Native American are prone to increased melanocyte activity during the inflammatory process. When determining risk factors to chemical peels, charts such as the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Chart, Lancer Ethnicity Scale, and Genetico-Racial Skin Classification can…

Prior to chemical peel application, there are important risk factors to consider. Understanding these risk factors will help to reduce side effects and will help to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. Risk factors are especially crucial to consider with layered peel application and caution should be taken with certain ethnic groups. When treating ethnic skin, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of skin histology,…

With cutaneous resurfacing there are various options depending on the condition of the skin and desired clinical outcomes. There are three types of exfoliating agents commonly used to resurface the skin. Keratolytic agents, keratocoagulant agents, and proteolytic agents. Keratolytic agents, such as hydroxy acids, work by breaking apart the bonds that hold skin cells together or by dissolving cellular glue. Keratolytic agents include hydroxy acids…

Chemical peels have been used for hundreds of years by many different cultures as a means of exfoliating the skin. Some chemical acids are natural agents that have been chemically changed to an acidic pH. Other chemical acids contain molecules that are naturally found in the skin. With an acidic pH, histological changes occur in the epidermis and dermis. In cosmetic dermatology, different types of…