Standardizing the evaluation of treatment outcomes after skin rejuvenation: the qualitative scoring system.

Current treatments to correct and reverse diseased or aged skin yield widely divergent results. Judging the outcome of such treatments is done in an arbitrary and subjective fashion that is often limited to a patient's feedback or the physician's opinion. This makes it difficult for inter-physician or physician-patient agreement as to the degree of improvement achieved. In an age where skin rejuvenation is being widely practiced, a tremendous void needs to be filled by a system that appropriately evaluates and scores treatment outcomes. Such a system will help physicians communicate better in lectures, help them to better assess the results of various treatment modalities, and facilitate patient-doctor communication. The objective of this paper is to present a standardized scoring system against which skin rejuvenation results can be judged. This system is based on a model of healthy skin that can be defined by practical criteria against which patients can be judged pre- and post-skin rejuvenation procedures. A gold standard for healthy skin (baby skin) is established from a clinical, functional, and histologic perspective. Each patient's skin is compared with the healthy skin model and graded before and after treatment by implementing our scoring system which encompasses objective and subjective criteria. Objective criteria include the following skin characteristics: smoothness, firmness, even coloration, normal texture, and absence of any clinically evident disease. Subjective criteria include proper hydration and normal tolerance, and are not considered in the final scoring. Grading of each element in the scoring system [minimal (1), average (2), maximal (3)], and subsequently the final score [excellent (12 to 15), average (7 to 11), poor (<7)] are done with reference to the healthy skin model defined. The scoring system is novel and easy to use, and can be implemented to help improve communication between physicians and patients as well as during the dissemination of knowledge during medical conferences. In conclusion, treatment end-results can be consistently and more accurately assessed when the scoring system (based on objective criteria and a model of healthy skin) is used. Adopting this protocol will also help in directing our treatment to achieve the best possible results.

TCA-based blue peel: a standardized procedure with depth control.

BACKGROUND: Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels are popular, well known, and widely utilized to correct a variety of skin problems. Different methods exist, ranging from the use of plain TCA to augmented or modified TCA at concentrations ranging from 30% to 50%. However, peel results vary depending upon the physician skill level, patient selection, and patient management. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to fill the gap for a peel that is deeper than superficial exfoliative procedures yet lighter than a medium-depth peel, to simplify and standardize the TCA peel, to define depth properly based on intraoperative clinical signs, to implement a color guide that facilitates even application of TCA and avoids skip areas, and to identify and minimize variables that may contribute to inconsistent outcomes. METHODS: A coating system for TCA application is created by selecting a specific TCA concentration (15% or 20%), TCA volume (4 or 6 ml, respectively), and a standardized body surface area to be peeled (5%), taking into consideration skin thickness and fragility. Multiple coats of TCA are applied to reach the desired endpoints: papillary dermis (light Blue Peel) or the immediate upper reticular dermis (light/medium Blue Peel). Clinical signs guide the depth achieved (frost quality, even blue, pink sign, epidermal sliding) and correlate retrospectively with healing time (7-10 days). RESULTS: The TCA Blue Peel was found to be a simple and consistent treatment approach for problems related to the epidermis, papillary dermis, and immediate upper reticular dermis. An unexpected benefit was the appearance of skin tightening and a reduction of skin laxity in many cases. This suggests that the papillary dermis and the immediate upper reticular dermis play a significant role in skin tightness. CONCLUSION: A simple coating system for achieving depth-controlled TCA peels is presented with correlation to intraoperative clinical signs. This method makes it easier to peel skin of all racial backgrounds, including nonfacial skin. This is especially useful for many patients previously excluded from having procedures that penetrate beneath the papillary dermis. Commonly encountered variables in chemical peels are presented which may affect outcome.

Obagi's modified trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-controlled variable-depth peel: a study of clinical signs correlating with histological findings.

Currently, no documentation correlates histological changes with clinical signs of depth of the trichloroacetic acid peel. Obagi identified clinical signs of depth of injury following topical trichloroacetic acid application, employing prepeel conditioning and a method for slowing trichloroacetic acid action. A three-part study of 20 patients was undertaken to determine whether Obagi's visual and palpatory signs of depth correlated histologically with depth of peel. Also analyzed were physiological mechanisms associated with these signs. Patients were pretreated and biopsy specimens were harvested before and after modified trichloroacetic acid peeling. The results largely confirmed the validity of Obagi's observations regarding the method of trichloroacetic acid peel described. These clinical signs are verified by histology and correlated with some findings by electron microscopy. Differentiation of papillary from upper reticular dermal penetration is particularly useful. Physiological explanations for the phenomena observed are proposed. The specificity and safety of peels may be improved with these criteria.