Keywords
Chemical peel
Skin complications
Safety
Adverse effects
How to Cite
Copyright © | All rights reserved.
The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.
Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.
Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.
Abstract
Objective: To review the safety of low-concentration phenol use in aesthetic facial treatments, focusing on risk mitigation practices. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted, searching for articles in the PubMed Central (PMC) database, covering publications between 2019 and 2024. The initial search yielded 1,228 articles, of which 19 were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The included studies address the use of low-concentration phenol and its respective complications and safety measures, mainly in treatments related to facial rejuvenation. Results: The literature indicates that phenol, especially in reduced concentrations and applied segmentally, offers therapeutic efficacy with fewer complications, being a promising alternative for sensitive areas. Final considerations: It can be considered that phenol, when used with appropriate techniques and at adequate concentrations, offers safety and superior results, provided there is proper monitoring, especially in more invasive procedures. Its use at low concentrations in segmental areas reduces the need for cardiac monitoring while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
References
BHARDWAJ V, et al. A novel professional‐use synergistic peel technology to reduce visible hyperpigmentation on face: Clinical evidence and mechanistic understanding by computational biology and optical biopsy. Experimental dermatology, 2024; 33(4): e15069.
BORELLI C, et al. The rise of chemical peeling in 19th‐century European dermatology: emergence of agents, formulations and treatments. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2020; 34(9): 1890-1899.
CARDOSO FADM, et al. Phenol–croton oil peel enhances type‐1 and type‐3 collagen amounts by stimulating SIRT‐6 and SIRT‐7. International Journal of Dermatology, 2022; 61(2).
COSTA IMC, et al. Is there still a place for deep chemical peels in the treatment of perioral wrinkles? Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020; 19(10): 2634-2636.
DA SILVA JA, et al. Depth of injury of Hetter's phenol-croton oil chemical peel formula using 2 different emulsifying agents. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2020; 82(6): 1544-1546.
Downs JW, Wills BK. Phenol Toxicity. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing, 2023.
El-MOFTY M, et al. Site‐oriented depigmentation in vitiligo patients using Q‐switched Nd: YAG laser (1,064/532 nm), cryotherapy and chemical peels: a comparative study. Dermatologic Therapy, 2019; 32(5): e13052.
LANDAU M, BAGEORGEOU F. Update on Chemical Peels. The Clinics Journals: Dermatologic Clinics, 2024; 42: 13-20.
LEE KC, et al. Segmental phenol–Croton oil chemical peels for treatment of periorbital or perioral rhytides. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2019; 81(6): e165-e166.
LIAPAKIS IE, et al. Clinical aspects and risks of the phenol/croton oil. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 2024; 28(5): 1-5.
MAHGOUB D, et al. Clinical and trichoscopic evaluation of trichloroacetic acid 35% vs phenol 88% peels in treatment of alopecia areata. J Cosmet Dermatol, 2020; 19(1): 1-7.
NOGUEIRA GC, et al. Static glabellar lines can be treated using a superlocalized phenol-croton peel. JAAD International, 2023; 11: 63-64.
PAIVA LM, et al. Skin of color repigmentation after phenol-croton oil chemical peel. JAMA Academy Dermatology, 2023; vol 89; 5: 1068-1070.
PATHAK A, et al. Chemical peels: role of chemical peels in facial rejuvenation today. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2020; 145(1): 58e-66e.
PLATSIDAKI E, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Phenol and Trichloroacetic Acid Combination Peel for the Management of Dark Circles. Actas dermo-sifiliogr. (Ed. impr.), 2022: 988-990.
PRASAD N, et al. Comparative Efficacy of Chemical Peeling Agents in the Treatment of Melasma. Cureus, 2023; 15(10).
STARKMAN SJ, MANGAT DS. Chemical Peel (Deep, Medium, Light). Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, 2020; 28(1): 45–57.
STEEB, T. et al. Chemical peelings for the treatment of actinic keratosis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis, 2021; 35(3): 641–649.
STERLING, J. Barton et al. Depth map for face and neck deep chemical peel resurfacing. Dermatologic Surgery, 2020; 46(9): 1204-1209.
WAMBIER CG, et al. Advanced chemical peels: phenol-croton oil peel. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2019; 81(2): 327-336.