Pilot histologic and ultrastructural study of the effects of medium-depth chemical facial peels on dermal collagen in patients with actinically damaged skin.
BACKGROUND
Chemical peels are employed for a variety of benign and premalignant skin disorders.


OBJECTIVE
We compared clinical and histologic features with ultrastructural changes that occur after medium-depth chemical facial peel.


METHODS
Three men with actinically damaged facial skin underwent a single 35% trichloroacetic acid peel. Biopsy specimens were taken before the peel, and 2 weeks and 3 months after the peel, for histologic examination, electron microscopy, and gel electrophoresis to assess total collagen type I content.


RESULTS
Clinical resolution of actinic damage corresponded with restoration of epidermal polarity. Collagen type I was markedly increased after the peel. Characteristic ultrastructural features of skin after peeling include markedly decreased epidermal intracytoplasmic vacuoles, decreased elastic fibers, and increased activated fibroblasts.


CONCLUSIONS
Electron microscopic studies after a medium-depth chemical peel of photodamaged skin reveal more profound changes than those seen histologically.
Nelson
B R
BR
Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Fader
D J
DJ
Gillard
M
M
Majmudar
G
G
Johnson
T M
TM
D000368:Aged; D002615:Chemexfoliation / Q000379:methods*; D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology*
D003094:Collagen