Peeling agents: toxicological and allergological aspects.
BACKGROUND
The use of peeling agents is very common in clinical practice. However, despite the overall good safety profile, it is not without any inherent risk; therefore, clinicians should be adequately informed about potential risk in order to avoid or prevent them.


OBJECTIVE
This paper reviews toxicological and allergological aspects of peeling agents in general, also beyond their actual use in peeling procedures. Toxic and allergic reactions from peeling agents are rather uncommon and have been rarely reported in association with the medical use of peels.


METHODS
Systemic toxic effects may essentially derive from phenol and potentially from two phenol derivatives, resorcinol and salicylic acid. A complete understanding of the toxicological profile of peeling agents, along with a correct execution of the technique and a carefully selection of patients, can help avoid serious side effects.


RESULTS
Allergic contact reactions occur most frequently with resorcinol, while most peeling agents are only rare sensitizers or appear to be free of true sensitizing power. Other types of hypersensitivity response seem to be very rare.
Cassano
N
N
Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology an Infectious Diseases--Institute of Dermatology, University of Bari, Italy.
Alessandrini
G
G
Mastrolonardo
M
M
Vena
G A
GA
D002615:Chemexfoliation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects