title: Focal trichloroacetic acid peel method for benign pigmented lesions in dark-skinned patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign pigmented lesions, including seborrheic keratosis, solar lentigines, melasma, and freckles, are common disorders, and various treatment modalities have been tried. We suggest a technique consisting of focal trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel applied by pressing firmly onto the focal lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical effects of focal TCA peel on pigmented lesions in dark-skinned patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analysis was conducted of 106 patients with benign pigmented lesions who were treated using focal TCA peel. Seborrheic keratosis was treated with 65% focal TCA peel, solar lentigines, and freckles with 50% to 65% focal TCA peel, and melasmas with 10% to 50% focal TCA peel. Patients had Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patient treatment data indicated that 19 of 23 (83%) patients with seborrheic keratosis, 42 of 49 (86%) patients with solar lentigines, 8 of 14 (58%) patients with freckles, and 11 of 20 (55%) patients with melasma experienced a good clinical response. Good satisfaction rates in the seborrheic keratosis, solar lentigines, freckles, and melasma groups were recorded. No significant complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The focal TCA peel method presented in this study is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions with no significant complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Jung Bock
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kwang Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002424:Caustics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002615:Chemexfoliation / Q000379:methods*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017492:Keratosis, Seborrheic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D002424:Caustics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid