Phenol Peel for Deep Upper Lip Wrinkles?

There are many options for resurfacing the lines around your mouth and eyes. Chemical peels, including the use of phenol can produce very good results. Expect a recovery period of about 2 weeks with this type of treatment. And yes, phenol can be used around the eyes as long as your surgeon uses the appropiate precautions. Another option is the use of fractionated carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. This modality will also give you good long term results with shorter downtime

I have performed many baker-gordon phenol peels as well as modified phenol peels (called croton oil peels, or hetter peels) with fantastic results, especially for deep wrinkles.  These treatments require some recovery (ie 5-8 days), and are performed under anesthesia. More recently, we have minimized risk and recovery by using the SmartXDE DOT laser.  We have used this now for about 11 months and have not performed one peel during this time.  We like it as it is performed using only a topical anesthestic agent, and recovery is shorter and easier. However, with regard to your question, a phenol peel, performed in the right hands is an excellent treatment for deep upper lines.

Fractional CO2 laser is an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation in our center in Santa Monica. We use the fractional multi-depth ablative approach to help resurface the skin, recontour acne scars, improve incisional plastic surgery scars, and reduce surface irregularities from skin tone to dark pigmentation. Our approach utilizes a multi-depth approach that targets melanocytes in the epidermis and collagen fibroblasts in the dermis. This approach can be combined with a TCA Peel in a process known as a sapphire peel. Fractional laser is excellent for acne scars and contour scars in the skin. Patients are advised to undergo skin protocols with Melarase creams before and after treatment to help reduce pigmentation. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. After the laser, we expect redness for a few weeks as the skin improves. PRP and Hydrafacial enzyme facials can further improve skin quality after fractional co2.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question and for sharing your concerns with us. Lip lines can be a very challenging concern to address, however there are a number of options that can help improve these lines. Often, the more different modalities you use the more impact you can have on the lines and still appear very natural:1) Botox and Dysport: Can be used to weaken the amount of pursing that your lip muscles can do, and hence limits how much deeper the lines can get. This treatment is repeated every 2-3 months2) Restylane Silk or Juvederm: thinh dermal filler's are a great way to directly address the fine lines. This is repeated every 6-9 months3) Ultherapy: Helps to create a little more dermal thickening. Can be done as a series to help build on the results. Should be done before fillers. 4) Profound: Micro needling radiofrequency can be used to help build collagen and elastin in the deeper skin tissue.5) Fractionated CO2: Can be to used to smooth the superficial fine lines and create a smoother look.It is important to choose which modalities would be helpful for you. It is also important to find a plastic surgeon or dermatologist with experience to help with your assessment and develop a plan that can help address your concerns.

Phenol-based chemical peels, such as the modified Baker-Gordon peel or Hetter peel, are very effective for treating wrinkles (radial lines or "smoker's lines") around the mouth. Keep in mind that the strength of peel necessary to adequately treat these wrinkles is very strong and should only be performed by someone with sufficient training, education and experience with chemical peel procedures. Since this is an old post, perhaps you could give the RealSelf community an update on your progress - maybe even photographs. I hope all is well!All the best,Dr. Harmych

Phenol peel is a great option for facial wrinkles and lines especially for patients with lighter complexion. There are many misunderstandings and myths about this great peel (printed mostly from people who have no experience with this peel).  When used on appropriate patients, the outcome is dramatic. I would consult with a facial plastic surgeon who has significant experience with this peel. It may not be very popular in Thailand however. 

For a person with fair skin phenol peel can be very effective.  There are several formulations available on the market today.  Most commonly phenol peel includes combination of phenol and croton oil.  Traditional formulation is very effective but also is very aggressive.

We use a modification of Phenol peel described by late Dr. Hetter from Las Vegas.  It is not as aggressive as traditional Gordon Baker peel, but still very effective will significantly lessened risk of complication.  Depending on concentration of ingredients the recovery is from 10 days to 21 days.

I find it more effecive then fractional CO2 laser which I also use.  However, some patients prefer several sessions of CO2 laser rather then peel bacause of what they remember their relatives went through during old fashion peel treatments.

Sincerely, Boris Volshteyn MD

Phenol peels are a well establish chemical peel that can work very well for deep upper lip wrinkles.  As always, a consultation with a practitioner with experience in resurfacing techniques including chemical peels is important.  There are many options available including various modifications to a phenol peel.  Your consultation will determine the best options for you and what you want to improve.

The modified Phenol or Phenol-Croton Oil Peel is a great option for resurfacing deep wrinkles in the face. I have found that this peel tends to work best as an overall facial resurfacing agent, rather than trying to do just one area of the face. Whenever resurfacing is done regionally, there is a chance for a step off in color. This can lead to a noticeable demarcation that needs to be covered up with make-up long term. The best thing about the Phenol-Croton Oil peel results is that they last a very long time and sometimes even improve with time.