Peeling de fenol pontuado no tratamento do fotoenvelhecimento: estudo clínico e histopatológico

Abstract

Phenol peeling is considered an important agent in the treatment of facial rejuvenation; however, its use carries limitations due to its high potential for side effects. With the advance of new techniques, lasers were introduced into the dermatological workup, a technique that is safer, but with limitations both in post-operative terms and in the cost of each treatment. This paper proposes a new deep peeling application technique for the treatment of photoaging, aiming to evaluate, clinically and histopathologically, the efficacy of a new way of applying 88% phenol, using a punctuated pattern. The procedure was performed in an outpatient setting, with female patients, on static wrinkles and high flaccidity areas of the face, aiming for facial rejuvenation. Accompanying photographs and skin samples were taken for histopathological analysis before and after treatment. This new form of application considerably reduced patients' withdrawal from their regular activities, and lowered the cost as well, compared to the conventional procedure. According to the results, 88% phenol applied topically using a punctuated technique is effective in skin rejuvenation. We thus suggest, based on this new proposal, that further studies be conducted to better elucidate the action mechanisms of 88% phenol in larger groups of patients.