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Wood's lamp for superficial chemical peels
S L Matarasso1, R G Glogau, A C Markey
1Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.
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.
Conclusion:
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.