Chemical Peeling with a Modified Phenol Formula for the Treatment of Facial Freckles on Asian Skin

Abstract

Background

Chemical peeling is an efficient method for the treatment of pigment disorders. For freckles, medium-depth to deep peeling using a phenol solution is one of the most effective chemical peels, and modifications of facial skin can be observed up to 20 years after peeling. However, applying phenol to the skin may cause serious side effects. Phenol peeling has been rarely used in Asia due to its tendency to cause permanent pigmentary changes and hypertrophic scars.

Methods

In total, 896 Chinese inpatients with facial freckles were enrolled in this study. The phenol formula was modified with crystalline phenol, dyclonine, camphor, anhydrous alcohol and glycerin and adjusted to a concentration of 73.6–90.0%. The entire peeling treatment was divided into two procedures performed separately on 2 days.

Results

All patients exhibited 26% or greater improvement, and 99.66% of patients exhibited 51% or greater improvement (good and excellent). Scarring and systemic complications were not observed in any patient.

Conclusions

The modified phenol formula is very effective and safe for the treatment of facial freckles in Asian patients.

Level of Evidence IV

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