Trichloroacetic Acid Peeling in Koreans

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There have been many articles about the chemical peeling of Caucasian skin, but there have been few reports about postpeel results among Oriental people. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to evaluate the effects of chemical skin peeling on the facial skin of Korean individuals over a two year period and compare these results with those relating to Caucasian skin. METHOD: Using 15 to 50 per cent trichloroacetic acid (TCA), we have peeled 121 pationts with fine wrinking, irregular pigmentary deposits, superficial acne scars, and melasma, and observed them for 2 years. RESULTS: In contrast to melasma, fine wrinkling and irregular pigmentary deposits responded efficiently to TCA peeling. About 70 per cent of the patients showed satisfactory clinical results one year after treatment while 50 per cent of them did so two years after treatment. Postpeel hyperpigmentation and erythema lasted for 3.15 months and 6 weeks, respectively, on average. CONCLUSION: If we select a fair-skinned woman in her fifties, even though she is an Oriental. TCA peeling can treat the fine wrinkling or irregular pigmentary deposits to a satisfactory degree.