Risks of Phenol Peel on Neck and Chest?

Question

I had a Phenol Peel eight years ago and was very pleased with the results. I want to undergo another to tighten the skin on my face and neck, improve the texture of the skin on my neck and rid my face of some wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.I have been reading conflicting opinions on the safety of a phenol oil peel on the neck and chest. I don't remember being concerned about it when I had my original one done.

John Bitner, MD · Answer

Phenol peeling done as part of the Baker's formula peel is an excellent procedure for the face.  However, the depth of penetration is too much for the neck and chest.  It will cause scarring that is horrific.  For those looking for peeling of the neck and chest, we use a Jessner's-TCA peel with a 15% TCA concentration.  This does not produce the same depth of peel compared to a Baker's peel, but is safer to use.

Brian Maloney, MD, FACS · Answer

Phenol peel solutions have been around for a long time. If used straight, 88% phenol will act as a medium depth peel. When mixed with other chemicals or even water, it will go deeper. Traditionally phenol peels have been performed on the face due to the concentration of hair and oil structures. Since the chest and neck do not have as many structures, scarring may result from a deeper peel. Phenol is toxic to the pigment cells, and could be used as a straight peel to spot treat some sun spots, but I would advise against a whole neck or chest peel. It is also toxic to the heart so such a large area should be performed in an operating room, with Intravenous fluids and a heart monitor.

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

Phenol peels on the neck are a risky procedure. The reason for this is that there are very few adenexal structures on your neck or oil glands that can assist the healing process after a chemical or laser peel. Basically, a chemical peel such as phenol is a burn that allows the new skin to heal over which is often smoother and not sun damaged. To heal effectively, you need a good population of oil or sweat glands to repopulate the skin and the neck and chest has very few of those structures. Safer alternatives would be a milder TCA (tricholoracetic acid) peel or erbium laser treatments. Even Fraxel treatments may be an option.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

The ability to heal after a peel resides on the reservoir of cells that remain in the deeper structures of the skin such as the sweat or oil glands or hair follicles; these are collectively called the adnexal structures. Skin that has more of these strutcures heals quickly after a resurfacing procedure. Skin that has fewer of these structures heals more slowly. Delayed healing can result in hypertrophic scarring.
The skin of the neck specifically has very few adnexal structures.

George Commons, MD (retired) · Answer

A phenol peel cannot be done on neck and chest.  That much phenol can be dangerous to the myocardium and in addition scaring will result.  Phenol is ok about the facial area only, nowhere else. It is a great peel but only when appropriately used.

Risks of Phenol Peel on Neck and Chest?

Answers (7)

Answer: Healing of the neck after a chemical peel or laser treatment

Answer: Healing of the neck after a chemical peel or laser treatment

Answer: Phenol Peel

Answer: Phenol Peel

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Risks of Phenol Peel on Neck and Chest?

Answers (7)

Answer: Healing of the neck after a chemical peel or laser treatment

Answer: Healing of the neck after a chemical peel or laser treatment

Answer: Phenol Peel

Answer: Phenol Peel

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Everything you need to know about Phenol Peel

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.