Wood's lamp for superficial chemical peels.
BACKGROUND
Superficial chemical peels are being used with increasing frequency in the treatment of photoaging.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to develop a marker to indicate when all areas of skin have been treated and avoid reliance on a map or operator recall.


METHODS
With a Wood's lamp (maximum output 365 nm) and addition of salicylic acid and fluorescein sodium, solutions that are readily available, the progress of the superficial chemical peel can be visualized.


RESULTS
Wood's lamp accentuates epidermal pigment and therefore highlights dyschromia that will respond to a superficial chemical peel. Similarly, salicylic acid and fluorescein sodium fluoresce when viewed under Wood's lamp examination.


CONCLUSIONS
When fluorescent compounds are incorporated into a superficial chemical peel, then fluorescence can accurately locate skip areas, minimize inadvertent overlayering, and thereby avoid deeper penetration.
Matarasso
S L
SL
Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.
Glogau
R G
RG
Markey
A C
AC
D002615:Chemexfoliation / Q000379:methods; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019793:Fluorescein; D005452:Fluoresceins; D006016:Glycolates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D004338:Drug Combinations; D005452:Fluoresceins; D006016:Glycolates; C061170:Jessner's solution; D007773:Lactates; D012118:Resorcinols; D012459:Salicylates; C031149:glycolic acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D000431:Ethanol; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D019793:Fluorescein